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Harvard University

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Experiences here vary widely - Anonymous employee Harvard University Employee Review

2.0
Jul 26, 2013
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This is an endlessly interesting institution where high value is placed on learning, professional development, and taking advantage of the intellectual and cultural resources that Harvard offers. Excellent vacation, sick, and personal time.

Cons

As an enormous institution, professional experiences can vary widely. Be very careful about the specific environment you join there. I worked in a department that allowed an assistant vice president to treat staff disrespectfully and harshly, despite several legitimate concerns voiced to Human Resources and other senior leaders about this manager's demeaning behavior. In addition to this unfortunate staffing dynamic, the office in question (the central Development department) is not well-coordinated and strategic priorities/plans are ambiguous at best. This office could learn a lot from some of its peers in terms of running a more modern, efficient and respectful fundraising enterprise.

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5.0
Jul 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Light work if you have the right team

Cons

Low pay for amount of work

2.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Union and benefits for non-profits/higher ed. Wonderful colleagues outside of leadership!

Cons

GSD Development and Alumni Relations (under current leadership) is an incredibly toxic work environment. I didn't realize the intensity of the toll it took on my until after leaving, and I am not one to leave a negative review, but as they are hiring for several positions currently, I wish to share words of caution with applicants. Cons: - Absolutely not a safe space for anyone who is Black, brown, trans, queer, working-class, or disabled - 100% top-down direction. No room for personal exploration, initiative, or creativity. - Minimal guidance from leadership - Frequent pivots, even in the late stages of projects - Petty, immature talking behind your back by leadership - No upward mobility unless the Associate Dean or Dean like you - Deeply disingenuous comments, reflections, and feedback from leadership - Complete lack of transparency on direction, goals, etc. - Small mistakes are made cornerstones of performance evaluations, while leadership routinely missteps. Leadership never takes accountability. - Top-down policy decisions, completely lacking detail, thought, and care outside of legal ramifications - Ever-changing in-office requirements

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