Job Description

About the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD)

The Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates leaders in design, research, and scholarship to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers an unparalleled setting for interaction through the combination of disciplines-architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, design engineering, real estate and housing, including an emerging research program and a robust public program of lectures and exhibitions.

The GSD is Harvard's epicenter for scholarship and innovation related to the built environment. Our faculty and students address defining questions across architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, real estate, and design engineering, advancing fields that profoundly influence the human experience. At the GSD, research and teaching drive creative solutions to the world's most urgent challenges, reimagining infrastructure, communities, and cities on a global scale.

Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Design?

This role is an opportunity to shape and elevate donor engagement at the world’s premier design school—championing stewardship, recognition, and impact reporting for our most dedicated supporters. If you thrive on building structure, using data to drive decisions, working collaboratively, and are passionate about donor communications that convey meaningful societal impact, we encourage you to apply.

In this position, you will:

• Strengthen donor relationships through thoughtful, timely, and personalized communications.
• Develop and implement operational processes that improve donor stewardship and recognition efforts.
• Collaborate across teams to build a best-in-class stewardship program.

SUMMARY:

The Donor Relations Coordinator is responsible for collaborating with colleagues in the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DevAR) and across the School on programs that acknowledge, recognize, cultivate, and steward donors at all levels of support.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Communications and serving as an integral member of the Donor Relations and Communications Team, the Coordinator:

• Drives a timely and carefully crafted acknowledgment process that recognizes donors’ philanthropic support.
• Manages the full portfolio of Fellowship Reports and develops other stewardship communications.
• Coordinates recognition initiatives, including donor listings and special recognition at events.
• Ensures smooth daily operations and effective administration.

This position is expected to take initiative in improving processes, streamlining workflows, and delivering donor-centric stewardship best practices and materials.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Lead and strengthen the donor acknowledgment process, ensuring accurate, timely, and personalized donor communications grounded in clear, compelling writing and thoughtful editing.
• Plan, write, and produce Fellowship Reports and other stewardship reporting in close collaboration with gift officers, partnering with students, staff, and faculty as needed.
• Support the stewardship of Annual Fund donors and prospects in partnership with the Annual Giving Team.
• Coordinate donor recognition, maintain accurate records, track engagement, and continuously improve the donor experience.
• Assist with donor communications, including reports, email campaigns, and other stewardship content.
• Provide responsive, professional service to internal partners and external stakeholders, including donors, alumni, and vendors.
• Actively contribute to departmental and School-wide events and initiatives.
• Perform additional stewardship and administrative duties as assigned.

Development Data Operations

• Leverage reporting tools (e.g., QlikView, Salesforce) to inform recognition efforts, listings, and mailings, analyze key performance metrics, and maintain accurate donor information across reports, trackers, and the database.
• Work closely with Operations and Administration colleagues to ensure that all donor touchpoints and gift processing activities are accurately captured in the database.
• Review information for the University Honor Roll, the University Endowment Report, and other University Reporting in partnership with Gift Officers and administrative staff, serving as a liaison between the University Development Office and the GSD DevAR Office.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The position involves frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse.
• Applicants must be able to perform typical office tasks, including sitting for extended periods, using standard office equipment, and occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Campus presence is required at least one day per week and will frequently involve additional days on site. Applications are accepted and encouraged from candidates not based in the Boston-Cambridge area, so long as they are able to commute to campus weekly and reside in one of our approved payroll states. Harvard registered payroll states currently include Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only).
• *Candidates who do not live within commuting distance of our Cambridge, Massachusetts campus should indicate on their resumes whether they are "willing to relocate," as this position requires a regular on-campus presence.
• Candidates must have employment authorization to work in the US, and we regret that we cannot sponsor a VISA.

SALARY INFORMATION:

• The specific annualized hiring range for this position will be $61,894 - $70,000.
• Salary ranges within each pay grade are based on qualifications, skills, experience, equity in comparison to similar positions, and external market values. Salary ranges allow for differences among positions within the same grade as well as increasing levels of responsibility and performance within the same job. For more information regarding salary ranges at Harvard, please see: https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges

Please note that to be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume are required with the submission of your application.

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• HS Diploma or equivalent, required
• Minimum of five years of related administrative experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and the ability to quickly learn new software applications and technologies.
• Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience in a nonprofit or fundraising office, donor relations, or development data management.
• Demonstrated excellence in written communication, with the ability to compose and edit clear, compelling academic materials and donor-focused correspondence.
• Proficient in content management systems and design programs, including Salesforce Email Marketing Cloud and the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to thoughtfully employ AI-assisted tools for written communications, data-driven tasks, and workflow support, while exercising strong professional judgment and ensuring outputs align with institutional standards.
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and be able to work competently and efficiently in a multi-faceted environment with varied work styles.
• Must be customer service-oriented and able to develop and maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels of the School.
• Ability to work independently and with sound judgment, meet deadlines, manage multiple assignments, and solve problems.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Experience with Advance CRM and QlikView reporting preferred.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.