Managing Director of Gift Planning

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations within Alumni Affairs and Development (AAD), the Managing Director of Gift Planning provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive gift planning program at Harvard Medical School (HMS). The Managing Director is the School’s lead expert on planned giving, manages fundraising and administrative staff, and works collaboratively across HMS and the University to secure deferred, complex, and blended gifts in support of HMS’s mission to alleviate suffering and improve health and well-being for all.  Program Leadership & Strategy  • Lead the overall management and strategic direction of the HMS Gift Planning program, ensuring alignment with School and University fundraising priorities.  • Develop and implement annual and multi-year plans with clear qualitative and quantitative goals for the program.  • Monitor progress, analyze results, and adjust strategies based on data and evolving opportunities.  • Serve as a key member of AAD’s Office Management Group (OMG). Work with fellow OMG members to integrate office-wide operating plans to create departmental fundraising and engagement goals, identify and help to address emerging issues affecting AAD.      • Forecast and maintain Gift Planning team annual budgets.  Team Management & Collaboration  • Supervise and mentor two direct reports, including goal-setting, performance management, and professional development.  • Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Gift Planning team and across AAD.  • Partner closely with Principal and Major Gifts, Annual and Leadership Giving, and other units to integrate gift planning into broader fundraising and engagement strategies.  Prospect & Portfolio Management  • Oversee management and growth of the HMS planned giving prospect pool of alumni, friends, and other key constituents.  • Assign prospects to gift planning team members and other AAD colleagues as appropriate; conduct regular portfolio and pipeline reviews.  • Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 80+ prospects.  • Design and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for planned, blended, and outright gifts; prepare proposals and related materials in coordination with School and University partners. Marketing, Donor Engagement & Internal Education. • In collaboration with the Development Communications team, direct a comprehensive marketing program to educate, cultivate, and steward current and prospective planned giving donors.  • Incorporate best practices and emerging trends in planned giving marketing to enhance HMS’s visibility and results.  • Lead strategy and programming for the Ezekiel Hersey Council, HMS’s life income and legacy society, with a focus on retentions, growth, engagement, and additional giving.  • Serve as a primary resource on gift planning vehicles and concepts for development colleagues, faculty, and volunteer leaders; provide training and guidance as needed.  Gift Administration & Compliance  • In partnership with Harvard University Gift Planning and Harvard Office of Gift Administration, assist with tracking, administration, and processing of estate settlements, bequests, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles.  • Ensure compliance with University policies and relevant legal and regulatory requirements.  • Maintain accurate prospect, proposal, and gift information in the development database.  Other  • Represent HMS at internal and external events; travel to meet with donors and prospects as appropriate.  • Perform other related duties as required. As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insig