Assistant Director, Alumni Communities, Alumni Relations

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Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Alumni Communities, the Assistant Director of Alumni Communities is a key member of a team responsible for creating and sustaining lifelong relationships between Harvard Business School and its alumni through meaningful engagement opportunities. The team supports the transition of Harvard Business School (HBS) MBA graduates into the HBS alumni community and is evolving its approach to create a more integrated arc of engagement - from prospective student to recent graduate to lifelong alumnus.

This role supports the development and execution of strategies for recent alumni and other audiences as defined by current School priorities. The Assistant Director manages an individual portfolio of programs, events, communications, and volunteer relationships and directly manages staff on the Alumni Communities team, providing strategic and operational oversight of their assigned portfolio. Together, this work is designed to strengthen alumni connections to HBS and ensure that engagement is cumulative, relevant, and mutually valuable.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

This role is responsible for supporting strategy and independently managing the development and execution of programs and engagement opportunities for recent alumni and other priority audiences. The portfolio may change over time in response to School and Alumni Relations priorities.

• Serve as a thought partner in shaping and evolving audience engagement strategies, ensuring alignment with Alumni Relations and School priorities.
• Conduct discovery work and use alumni feedback, engagement data, and knowledge of current needs to recommend approaches, refine programming, and identify new opportunities for connection.
• Manage and support an assigned portfolio of complex programs and events from concept through evaluation, which may include the Alumnae Circles Program, recent alumni regional events, One-Year Reunion, Alumni Dinner Series, admitted student dinners, MBA student events, and other audience-specific offerings.
• Manage communications and serve as a primary point of contact for alumni volunteers, participants, event organizers, internal partners, and outside vendors, coordinating program content, messaging, logistics, and follow-up.
• Build and maintain relationships with alumni volunteers; manage individual volunteers and committees and help ensure that their activities and messaging align with team and School priorities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Alumni Relations, Alumni and Admissions Marketing and Communications, Development, Career and Professional Development, MBA, and other HBS teams to coordinate outreach, resources, messaging, and execution.
• Manage assigned program budgets and financial deliverables, use resources effectively, and communicate emerging risks or changes in a timely manner.
• Directly manage staff on the Alumni Communities team and provide strategic and operational oversight of that staff member's assigned portfolio. Set clear expectations, delegate work, provide ongoing feedback and coaching, explain the broader context of the work, and support professional development. Coordinate support staff, temporary staff, students, interns, and vendors assigned to programs or projects.
• Exercise sound judgment and initiative in resolving issues, making timely decisions within established parameters, and keeping the Director and partners informed of progress, decisions, and risks.
• Serve as a knowledgeable institutional ambassador, connecting alumni with the School and its resources and representing HBS and Alumni Relations professionally.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Limited travel is required. Some evening and weekend work is required. 
 

Basic Qualifications:

• BA/BS
• 5-7 years of related experience in community engagement, program development, audience or relationship development, marketing, or a comparable field.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Excel, and the ability to learn new technology quickly are required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience should preferably include volunteer management and collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and successfully manage several projects at a time while meeting deadlines and adhering to schedules.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to represent HBS and the University professionally, both internally and externally.
• Strong professional, interpersonal, and collaborative skills; diplomacy in working with diverse populations.
• Must demonstrate accountability, initiative, sound judgment, strong analytical ability, and creative problem-solving.
• Prior supervisory experience, including setting expectations, delegating work, and coaching and developing staff, is preferred.
• Proven ability to work independently, take ownership of issues through resolution, and communicate regularly and succinctly with managers and partners.
• Must be a team player with an eye for detail and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, technologies, and work situations.
• Experience with engagement strategy, marketing, volunteer management, content development, and cross-functional collaboration is preferred.
• Must be comfortable engaging alumni, students, and senior stakeholders with poise, self-confidence, and a friendly demeanor.
• Experience with Cvent and Advance is a plus. 

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. 

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.