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HBS Logo HBS · Education

Director, Principal Gifts

United States, Boston · Job Posted January 30, 2026
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Job Description

The External Relations team at Harvard Business School (HBS) is dedicated to strengthening the lifelong relationship between alumni and the School by delivering meaningful engagement and learning and by inspiring philanthropy that supports and extends the HBS mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world. Our organization is unequivocally committed to the core values of racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and empowers all staff to embody these principles in our internal work with colleagues and our external work with alumni, donors, and friends of the School. Following the conclusion of a successful campaign which raised $1.4B – the largest campaign in the history of graduate business education – and deepened relationships between alumni and the institution, Harvard Business School remains committed to leadership in the advancement field. Propelled by a spirit of innovation and with a dean who has articulated an ambitious and bold set of priorities for the future, now is an exciting time to join the External Relations team at HBS. We are looking to hire two seasoned fundraising officers to help our Principal Gifts team build on its strong foundation and expand philanthropic efforts and impact at the School. Reporting to the Director of Development, each Director, Principal Gifts, will be a key member of the Harvard Business School (HBS) frontline fundraising team and will be responsible for securing 7+ figure philanthropic commitments for HBS. Each director will manage the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 125 households. They will be expected to develop strategies to maximize philanthropy from their respective portfolios, partnering closely with colleagues across the External Relations (ER) organization, the School, and the University. In collaboration with ER colleagues, each Director, Principal Gifts, will engage in the development and execution of strategic engagement activities to support development objectives.

Job Responsibility

  • Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of ~125 HBS households with the capacity to make 6, 7 and 8-figure philanthropic commitments
  • Develop an understanding of and travel frequently to assigned region(s) to achieve annual fundraising goals and to develop pipeline of future fundraising activity
  • Develop and represent a strong working knowledge of the top fundraising priorities for the School, other HBS activities and initiatives, and the School’s presence in the officer’s assigned region(s)
  • Be a champion of the HBS Fund, working towards securing unrestricted annual support from your prospects for this important initiative
  • Contribute to the planning of regional events, engagement opportunities, and faculty/senior leadership travel
  • Draft briefings and correspondence for senior leadership and faculty
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development, including the articulation of an annual professional development plan
  • Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • At least 7+ years of frontline fundraising or related experience is required
  • A strong command of fundraising principles (including experience with annual giving and planned giving in a philanthropic giving setting)
  • The ability to develop, implement, and assess effective donor-centered fundraising strategies
  • A proven fundraising track record that includes directly soliciting, negotiating, and closing six and seven-figure gifts, preferably in an academic setting
  • A high level of organization and professionalism, an ability to think creatively and be open to new ideas, and a commitment to the HBS mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues
  • Excellent judgment, diplomacy, and discretion, including the ability to maintain confidentiality in and outside of the organization
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills, detail-orientation, and ability to self-motivate
  • Willingness to be an enthusiastic contributor to the Principal Gifts team and the broader ER community
  • Must have a natural affinity for collaboration, leading through influence, and a high level of emotional intelligence and curiosity
  • Must be drawn to a challenge and exhibit patience in advancing solutions across a complex and highly matrixed organization

What we offer

  • 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
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