Development Assistant, Strategic Engagement, Wyss Institute (Boston, MA)
Posted February 20, 2025
About the Wyss:
The Wyss Institute’s mission is to transform healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. We harness the imagination of academia and the focus of industry to translate ground-breaking technologies into commercial products that solve big problems. We support research that universities, companies, and venture capital firms don’t fund because they view it as too risky. We prefer to use the word “challenging,” and we love challenges. For more information discover our technologies, catch up on our recent news, or watch our latest videos.
About Strategic Engagement:
Each day the Wyss Institute discovers new breakthrough technologies that have the potential to dramatically improve our world within our own lifetimes and need support to leave the lab to realize that potential. Strategic Engagement (SE) works with philanthropic visionaries to ensure that our vibrant community of scientists, clinicians, business leaders, and futurists have the support and freedom they need to conduct this critical interdisciplinary work through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Role Description:
The Wyss is looking for a collaborative, out-of-the-box thinker with interest in science, engineering, venture capitalism, and start-up companies to join our Strategic Engagement Team. Strategic Engagement works with philanthropic visionaries to ensure that our vibrant community of scientists, clinicians, business leaders, and futurists have the support and freedom they need to conduct this critical interdisciplinary work through innovation and entrepreneurship. In this role, you will support philanthropy activities by supporting our CRM integration process and gain experience in prospect research techniques data management.
What you’ll do:
- Gain an understanding of philanthropy/development office work, including workflows, sources of information, and industry-standard practices, with hands-on support.
- Utilize databases and tools to conduct prospect research.
- Support CRM adoption (HubSpot) by developing documentation for best practices and contributing to data integrity.
- Apply new standards to existing data.
- Collaborate in an interdisciplinary setting to meet project milestones.
- Attend regular meetings and training sessions as needed.
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
What you’ll need:
- Enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program, with related experience or coursework preferred.
- Strong organizational skills with excellent analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills, including an ability to approach problems in a detailed manner while maintaining the big picture.
- Ability to learn and use library resources after training.
- Strong planning and excellent follow-up management skills required.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Passionate, responsible, pro-active, with an ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary team environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products and interest in advancing skills when necessary for completion of projects.
- Experience working in prospect research, development, or other philanthropy roles a plus but not required.
Compensation: $20 – 22/hour
Work format details:
Part-time position, 2 days (14 hours) per week.
Duration: 3-month temporary assignment with the possibility of extension.
Role is hybrid on-site and remote, with some on site work required. Any remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business. (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA , MD, ME, NH, NH, NY, RI, VA, VT and WA).
Where you can apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] using the subject line, “Development Assistant”.
Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.