Job Responsibilities
- Responsible for generating alternative revenue streams for 14
academic departments in the Humantities (language, literature,
cultural and area studies) within a major public research
university.
-design public outreach activities--from lectures, events,
symposia, films, and performances--for broad audiences ranging in
size form 5 to 1000+
-consult with faculty, deans, and department chairs to produce
strategic growth visions for each academic unit based on outside
investment (individual, corporate, foundation, and government
gifts and grants) as well as self-sustaing programs (institutes
and executive degree programs).
-develop and submit specific investment proposals that range from
$25K to $10M+ to create new revenue sources to support teaching,
research, and public service activities.
-provide staff support and guidance for 12 volunteer advisory
boards comprised of over 200 volunteers.
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Job Requirements
Harvard's Graduate School of Education provided outstanding
preparation for my career. The quality of instruction was
first-rate overall--Harvard deserves its reputation-- but with
like any large university, one should be careful about selecting
professors.
A detailed account of this academic program is best accessed on
Harvard's website. It gives a very clear and detailed overview.
The program does allow a great deal of flexibility, and I was able
to take courses in the Law and Business schools, coursework that
has proven absolutley invaluable in my career.
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Uppers
This is the most stimulating and pleasant place to work than I can imagine. I
interact with brilliant faculty and leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds.
In a single day I may meet with a consular official or ambassador from a major
European nation; a local CEO; or a group of teachers from an area high school.
I
work with heritage groups, individuals seeking to preserve public instruction in
their native tongue, across approximately 25 languages, so one day might include
planning meetings or investmen tproposals with regional leaders of German,
Italian, Iranian, Peruvian, or Korean heritage, to name a few possibilities.
From supporting a project investigating a 2,000 year old Buddhist manuscript to
strategizing with the Ambassador of Finland on supporting our Finnish Studies
program here, the scope and variety of the work continues to amaze even after 4
years. For anyone interested in supporting education, development work at a
major research university (provided you choose a unit that interests you) must
be
among the most interesting jobs imaginable.
On top of it all, I'm getting free tuition for a doctoral degree in educational
leadership, so I get to research my professional field as well. Unbeatable perk.
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Downers
Occassionally one runs across various micro-political or
micor-cultural issues, but in my current position this happens
surprisingly infrequently. The complexity and scope of the work
can be daunting, and the pressure to produce millions in revenue
isn't for everyone, but I can think of no downsides.
This work presents a very challenging and ambiguous landscape.
Creativity, comfort with uncertainty, and complete flexibility are
prerequisites.
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Lifestyle
I am a "development officer" and this is a very young profession.
There is huge demand for smart people who know how to raise money
in a sohpisticated environment. One must be able to have
peer-level conversations with leading figures in society--those
who are shy or lack self confidence need not apply.
The non-profit and educational world desperately needs people who
can articulate a cause worth supporting and mobilize a broad
public and private base of support. Start with a first-rate
education in any field and have the requisite personality and
social skills, plus a desire to "wear the white hat."
It can be a hard field to break into, but once you have proven
experience the career track is a very fast one. Start with
volunteer work and express an interest in fundraising. The
technical aspects of the field are very easily learned. First and
foremost, one must be an outstanding, exemplary writer, speaker,
and communicator. With that in mind, go to work at a small
organization, get the experience, and then see if larger
organizations like the American Cancer Society, etc., or a major
school or university are right for you. Many folks prefer the
"small shops." After a year or two at a give position you are
ready to move up.
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Compensation
Salaries for development professionals who are in managerial roles
start at roughly $60K depending on education and experience. My
compensation includes $75K in salary, 100% matching 401K, tuition
reimbursement totalling approx $10K a year, and very solid benefits.
The next rung up the career ladder from me is a position as an
assistant dean or associate vice president, and these positions
start at about $100K. The chief development officer at a major
university or college commands at least $200K in salary, often
significantly more.
While the pay is decent, the job security is outstanding (if you
are good) and the environment, perks and flexibility cannot be
beat anywhere on the planet.
I don not wish to leave my current city, but if I followed the
opportunity my salary would have doubled by now. But the best
folks in this business are in it for many reasons other than
money. Of all the compensation issues, by far the most important
is a meaningful engagement in work that is good for people. May
sound saccharine, but it feels great to work for a noble cause.
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Advice to Jobseekers
I am a "development officer" and this is a very young profession.
There is huge demand for smart people who know how to raise money
in a sohpisticated environment. One must be able to have
peer-level conversations with leading figures in society--those
who are shy or lack self confidence need not apply.
The non-profit and educational world desperately needs people who
can articulate a cause worth supporting and mobilize a broad
public and private base of support. Start with a first-rate
education in any field and have the requisite personality and
social skills, plus a desire to "wear the white hat."
It can be a hard field to break into, but once you have proven
experience the career track is a very fast one. Start with
volunteer work and express an interest in fundraising. The
technical aspects of the field are very easily learned. First and
foremost, one must be an outstanding, exemplary writer, speaker,
and communicator. With that in mind, go to work at a small
organization, get the experience, and then see if larger
organizations like the American Cancer Society, etc., or a major
school or university are right for you. Many folks prefer the
"small shops." After a year or two at a give position you are
ready to move up.
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