Director of Development

Director of Development

The Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP) exists to ensure people of every race, ethnicity, gender, and financial background are represented in science and medicine, while also enabling science-related industries and institutions to build a more inclusive workforce. For many students today, a future in science or medicine is nothing more than a fantasy, if they even dream about it at all. Our students often didn’t see doctors or nurses who represented them growing up. Many didn’t have anyone encouraging their scientific curiosity at school or at home. And more than 50% are from families where one or both parents only have a high school diploma. These barriers result in a huge loss of talent for our sector. And the costs are significant for all of us, from patients to doctors and beyond.

BSCP’s strategy is rooted in helping students build confidence, connections, and community—three pillars critical for success in the competitive biomedical field. We help break down the barriers that prevent many promising young people from pursuing a future in the biomedical fields. We connect talented students and fellows with the mentors, tools, and experiences needed for success in this competitive environment. We build community that provides a space where they feel respected, valued, and free to be themselves. Since 1991, more than 18,000 students and fellows have benefited from BSCP’s work. This includes participants from all fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico as well as representation from 41 countries.

To provide these supports and resources to students at no cost to them, BSCP will raise more than $2 million through private philanthropy in 2025—a number we anticipate increasing in future years as programs and staffing grow.

Job Summary

BSCP is at an exciting period of growth, and we are seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial fundraising professional to lead and expand our development program. As the first Director of Development and Donor Engagement, this new position will be responsible for securing philanthropic support from individuals, companies, and foundations; building lasting relationships with supporters; advancing donor engagement efforts; and coordinating the participation of Board members, staff, and other stakeholders in development efforts. This role reports directly to the Executive Director, under the leadership of the Dean for the Office for Culture and Community Engagement (OCCE) at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Within HMS, this role is considered an Associate Director-level position and referred to as such within their human resources system. However, within BSCP, the position is seen as the Director of Development as this accurately represents the role and function within the organization.

Position Description

The primary responsibilities for this position include the following:

• Lead BSCP’s overall development strategy to grow philanthropic support in alignment with best practices; create annual plan and calendar.
• Oversee all day-to-day activities for fundraising, including identifying new funding opportunities, strengthening relationships with prospective and current funders, managing donor communications, leading strong donor and sponsor stewardship programs, and overseeing grant funding.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with corporate, individual, and institutional donors; design and implement a donor stewardship program.
• Serve as liaison to the BSCP Board Development Committee; engage Board members in fundraising efforts and donor outreach.
• Plan and executive fundraising events, including but not limited to the annual Evening of Hope celebration; oversee event management company and coordinate involvement of the Board development committee, event co- chairs, and host committee members in events.
• Research prospective donors, foundations, and companies; manage submission of proposals, grant requests, and funding inquiries.
• Drive collaboration with OCCE in identifying funding across co-sponsored programs.
• Act as primary point of contact for funding, donations, and fundraising campaign inquiries.
• Oversee BSCP's donor-management software to ensure smooth and efficient gift processing, timely acknowledgments, and accurate reporting for enhanced donor engagement and operational efficiency.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years relevant work experience, ideally in nonprofit development.
• Excellent interpersonal, written communication, and listening skills.
• Strong relationship-building abilities and follow-up skills.
• Ability to think strategically and innovatively, to develop new ideas, and to gain stakeholder buy-in.
• High level of independent judgement, initiative, accountability, and flexibility.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with internal teams, administrators, volunteers, and donors to advance engagement and fundraising goals.
• Organized and comfortable working with CRMs to maintain detailed donor records as well as pull and analyze data.
• Passion for ensuring all communities have the opportunities and resources to pursue education and careers in STEM.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.

Additional Information

This role is offered as hybrid where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA campus three days per week, one of which must be Thursday. Remaining days and schedule will be determined in conjunction with manager.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a Salary Grade of 058 (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges).

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

About Us

The Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP), an independent charitable non-profit organization, is housed in the Harvard Medical School Office for Culture and Community Engagement (OCCE). BSCP was established in 1991 with the aim of providing students of every race, ethnic background, gender, and financial status with the encouragement, support, and guidance needed for successful careers in all facets of science and medicine while helping health care institutions, biopharma/biotechnology firms, educational institutions, professional organizations, and private industry members meet their need for a more inclusive workforce.

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.

Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.

Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.

Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.

Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.

Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.

Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.

Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.

Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.