Associate Director of Development, Direct Response Marketing

Responsibilities

• Support the Managing Director of Development, Direct Response Marketing with overseeing the strategic direction of direct response marketing channels (print, digital, and emerging technologies) and requesting signatories. Assume team leadership in their absence.
• Supervise a Development Assistant Specialist, Direct Response Marketing, who provides key coordination for all DRM projects and inbox management. Develop, train, mentor, and provide backup support for direct report.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director to enhance business processes, develop and implement team workflows and project management frameworks, and document process improvements to support operational efficiency and team alignment.
• Translate fundraising strategy into a comprehensive production schedule and audience matrix; manage creative and content timelines, workflows, and approvals to ensure successful implementation of a robust, data-informed fundraising calendar.
• Track, analyze, and assess project results and trends to continuously refine strategy to maximize revenue and participation.
• Provide strategic input and recommendations on audience segmentation, messaging, and campaign optimization using analytics across channels; manage audience strategy including list pulls and segmentation.
• Build and maintain productive work relationships with production and deployment partners (mail house, Email Marketing, and Project Management); keep USPS accounts in good standing.
• Execute campaign project management across all project phases—including planning, coordination, proofing, and deployment—monitoring partner project manager activity and managing overall timelines, cross-functional dependencies, and deliverables to ensure on-time, on-budget execution and consistent high-quality work.
• Translate strategic direction into creative briefs and design recommendations; provide feedback on copy and design development to ensure alignment with DRM objectives and brand; contribute design mockups and direction as needed.
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to test, explore, and leverage opportunities for donor and revenue growth and process improvements.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree preferred. Minimum 6+ years’ relevant or transferable experience (direct response marketing, fundraising, annual giving, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and visual communication skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to interpret and report data
• Must have excellent computer skills
• You will be expected to work certain events/campus activities, such as reunions each Spring, and participate in department retreats that are taking place on campus in Cambridge, MA
• Proven project management skills, including developing and executing direct response marketing plans, managing schedules and budgets, coordinating stakeholders, and assessing performance
• Experience managing and developing staff
• Track record translating business needs into content-driven solutions
• Strong ability to build and maintain positive relationships with peers, alumni, and donors and exercise sound judgment

Preferred

• Prior experience working within a development or marketing is preferred
• Knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite, and HTML highly desired; willingness to learn these programs is required
• Knowledge of direct mail best practices, web and interactive media, marketing research and analytics highly desired

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.