Careers

Job Summary

Position Description

• Oversees the financial management of HKS, ensuring that HKS uses resources efficiently, keeps a strong financial position, and makes strategic investments in people, projects, technology and facilities;
• Guides significant capital projects, smaller enhancements in facilities, regular maintenance, security strategies, and the usage of HKS's facilities so that HKS maintains a first-rate physical plant and manages it effectively;
• Oversees HKS's human resources strategy and management including recruiting, compensation, training, employee relations, engagement, and flexible work.
• Oversees HKS's information technology strategy, ensuring that faculty, students, and staff have access to hardware, software, and services that are modern, powerful, flexible, robust, secure and straightforward to use;
• Guides HKS's library and research services to effectively support the work of the faculty, students, fellows, and staff including data acquisition and publication support.
• Oversees administrative aspects of research administration, such as adhering to sponsored research policies;
• Guides the school's communications and public affairs activities, including external and internal communications and media relations;
• Oversees HKS's executive education program to ensure that faculty and staff work effectively together and deliver the best possible learning experience for students;
• Works closely with leadership of the research centers to support their activities, identify and address common areas of opportunity, and ensure effective administration consistent with Harvard and HKS policies;
• Serves on the Dean's senior leadership team and collaborates with the Dean, Academic Deans, and other senior leaders of HKS in directing and coordinating the activities of staff, faculty, and students so that HKS advances its mission as effectively as possible;
• Acts as a liaison to administrators across Harvard University, including the central administration, other schools, and affiliated institutions. Serves on University committees as requested.

Basic Qualifications

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Excellent management skills, including significant experience in developing strategies, effectively implementing programs and initiatives, directing and mentoring staff across disparate functional areas, a creative and proactive approach to problem solving, and the ability to mobilize and motivate a team and organization around shared goals.
• Experience with budgeting and financial operations, facilities investments and maintenance, human resources, and information technology management.
• Commitment to enhancing diversity, inclusion, and belonging so that members of the community connect across their differences and benefit from their diverse experiences and perspectives.
• Ability to resolve crisis situations under pressure.
• Solid understanding of the environment, practices, and values of a research university.
• Commitment to HKS's mission of improving public policy and public leadership.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with faculty and staff colleagues at all levels in a decentralized institution.
• Strong skills in public speaking and written communication.

Additional Information

• Bring a collaborative and consultative leadership and problem-solving style; build relationships with faculty, administrators, students and proactively solicit others' views and advice on key decisions;
• Possess a deft touch and style; build effective coalitions within the School and across the University to gain input and support for the Dean's agenda and the School;
• Achieve trusted-colleague and advisor status with academic and administrative leaders across HKS; and
• Be accessible and responsive and serve others through collaborative problem-solving and openness to new ideas.

• Serve as a strong partner, trusted adviser, and enthusiastic leader who inspires and positively motivates others into action in support of Dean Elmendorf and the HKS agenda;

• Attract, develop, empower, and mentor a strong team of diverse and talented leaders. Set high standards, assess performance, and excellence;
• Model respect and partnership across all levels of the organization by seeking, including and embracing different thinking styles, cultures and backgrounds. Operate with clarity, appropriate transparency, and diplomacy; and
• Maintain a collegial, solution-oriented and proactive work environment.

• Partner closely with Dean Elmendorf and his leadership team on translating strategic initiatives to actionable items, understanding and modeling the possibilities, as well as the consequences of operational decisions;
• Bring a proven ability to optimize overall organizational performance. Think creatively and strategically about how to improve operational systems, drive efficiency and effectiveness while supporting the HKS mission, encouraging innovation and growth;
• Set and communicate specific, compelling goals and priorities for improvement and incorporate accountability in all efforts; and
• Bring a collaborative and consultative leadership style, communicating consistently and effectively to educate a wide range of constituencies regarding HKS' financial and operational strategies and initiatives.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year, 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.

Work Format

About Harvard University Kennedy School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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