Assistant Director, Special Projects, Direct Response Marketing

Alumni Affairs And Development - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Cambridge, MA

About the position

The Assistant Director, Special Projects for Direct Response Marketing (DRM) within Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) at Harvard University plays a pivotal role in managing and executing fundraising appeal projects. This position is designed for a professional who can work collaboratively with key partners, particularly in Athletics and the Harvard College Fund, to implement innovative strategies that enhance fundraising efforts. The Assistant Director will establish a structured framework that prioritizes special projects, aligns with DRM strategies, and fosters trust among various stakeholders. This role requires a data-driven and audience-first approach to project management, ensuring that all initiatives are executed efficiently and effectively. In this capacity, the Assistant Director will be responsible for developing comprehensive project timelines that balance outreach efforts, partner goals, and production schedules. They will oversee all aspects of partner and pilot projects, guiding them from inception through to completion, ensuring that all deliverables are met on time and within budget. This includes coordinating with partners on essential appeal elements, managing content preparation for production, and tracking project results to assess performance and optimize future initiatives. The Assistant Director will also be tasked with creating and maintaining project templates that adhere to brand guidelines and best practices, continuously updating them based on performance metrics and innovative approaches. A critical aspect of this role is building a deep understanding of donor and prospect motivations through thorough analysis and engagement with partners. The Assistant Director will leverage this knowledge to inform project strategies and enhance fundraising outcomes, contributing to the overall mission of AA&D to support Harvard's advancement activities through effective fundraising and engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the project manager for fundraising appeal projects, coordinating with key partners primarily Athletics and the Harvard College Fund.
• Establish a framework that prioritizes special projects and aligns with DRM strategy and goals.
• Assist in developing strategies, tactics, and plans in response to partner program needs.
• Develop project timelines balancing audience outreach, partner goals, and DRM production schedules.
• Guide projects from kickoff through asset coordination, content gathering, reviews, feedback, and approvals, ensuring timely and budget-compliant completion.
• Coordinate with partners on appeal elements like list pulls and visual assets, requesting support from DRM Development Assistant and Resource teams as needed.
• Work with DRM project managers to ensure adherence to established procedures and capacity considerations for email and print appeal production partners.
• Prepare content for production, including vendor and delivery instructions, and communicate directly with print and email partners.
• Track results and timeline needs to assess performance, trends, and timing, making recommendations to optimize results.
• Develop and maintain appeal project templates that create efficiencies and align with DRM best practices.

Requirements

• BA/BS required.
• Minimum 3+ years of relevant or transferable experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, visual, and written communication skills, comfortable speaking in group settings.
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work with, interpret, and report data.
• Strong attention to detail.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to establish good working relationships with peers and manage expectations.
• Collaborative, professional, results-oriented team player with a willingness to learn and acquire new skills as technologies evolve.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize in a complex organizational environment.
• Shows creativity and intellectual curiosity, as well as initiative and flexibility.
• Experience with databases and platforms such as Advance, ThankView, Adobe Suite, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and social media platforms.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year, 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess, 3 personal days per year, and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary caregivers.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, with most coverage beginning as of the start date.
• Child and elder/adult care resources including on-campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs.
• University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings, with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program providing 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Various commuter options including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes, and biking benefits.