Director, Engagement and Stewardship

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

The John

F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting‑edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match.

When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Center for Public Leadership (CPL) brings together esteemed faculty, distinguished leaders in practice, inspiring students, and skilled staff to advance principled and effective public leadership. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director, Engagement and Stewardship will contribute to the overall leadership of the Center. They will play a key role on the Center’s senior leadership team in setting CPL’s institutional priorities and overseeing their implementation, fostering a culture, structure, and resourcing to advance the success of the Center, and advancing operational excellence across the organization.

The Director is CPL’s lead partner with the Office of Alumni Relations and Resource Development (ARRD), crafting and implementing plans to deepen alumni engagement, supporting the Center’s top programmatic and organizational priorities, and helping to achieve fundraising targets. Externally, the Director represents CPL at events and meetings, travels to meet with prospects and donors, and helps to manage key collaborative relationships that advance CPL's mission.

The successful candidate will bring a proactive and strategic mind, along with a commitment to our mission and strong team culture.

• Design and support an engagement, development, and stewardship strategy to support priorities of the Center for Public Leadership, in close coordination with ARRD.
• Direct CPL’s alumni engagement and relationship building, including designing engagement approaches and launching new programs.
• Plan development and alumni engagement trips, working with ARRD and CPL leadership on goals and metrics.
• Oversee stewardship of CPL councils, which currently include the Leadership Council and Alumni Council. Recommend adjustments and refine council strategy as needed.
• In coordination with ARRD, support Faculty Director and Executive Director with development and engagement responsibilities, including joining meetings and events, preparing briefings (in conjunction with ARRD), follow‑up correspondence, and reports.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of donor and alumni events and activities, using data to recommend and implement improvements. Create processes to track and share data with internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with CPL, HKS’, and ARRD’s communications teams to prioritize and create marketing and storytelling resources.
• Provide strategic direction for flagship CPL programs including Hauser Leaders, the Gleitsman Award, the Gergen Summer Fellows Program, and related practitioner engagement activities.
• Oversee CPL events, including panels, guest speakers, and conferences.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders including ARRD, University development teams, and OCPA. Communicate CPL’s goals and priorities and collaborate on projects and shared priorities.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and internal stakeholders, including managing to budget.
• Operate the Center’s engagement and stewardship work within approved budgets.
• Directly manage a team, providing leadership, support, and guidance.
• Perform other responsibilities and serve in additional capacities as needed.
• Some work on nights, weekends, and travel required.

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