Associate Director of Early Design Education and Design Curriculum Lead

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Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Design?

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), as the preeminent design school in the world, offers a unique setting for interaction and the exchange of ideas through the combination of disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning and design—together with an emerging research program and a robust public program of lectures and exhibitions. It is a dynamic, intellectually creative environment. We are seeking an energetic, forward thinking and experienced individual to lead the Early Design Education programs at the GSD and in collaboration with University partners.

SUMMARY:

The Associate Director is responsible for the GSD Design Discovery Programs, the Design Discovery Youth program, and the coordination of courses within the Harvard Undergraduate Architecture Studies track. This includes developing and implementing a future-focused approach to integrate with the GSD’s core programs and in line with the school’s goals for their constituencies, growth, and direction. The studio-based Design Discovery program, which enrolls up to 300 students across virtual and in-person modalities, serves as a primary introduction to the design professions.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Harvard Undergraduate Architecture Studies Track:

• Advise students who are interested in or have declared the Architecture Studies concentration, providing guidance on course selection, concentration requirements, and other aspects of curricular planning.
• Oversee independent research courses and thesis evaluations.
• Assess and recommend undergraduate curricular revisions and improvements to the student experience to the departmental faculty and participate in implementing such changes.
•  Interviews, selects, and oversees program’s Teaching Fellows from current GSD students who serve as section instructional fellows.
• Coordinate with the Program Coordinators (FAS and GSD).
• Coordinate efforts with the Advising Programs Office in Harvard College and the Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

Design Discovery and DDY Programs:

• Responsible for overseeing the pedagogy of a summer exploratory program geared towards those who are interested in design, specifically architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and urban design in both virtual and in-person formats.
• Interviews, selects, and oversees programs’ teaching teams of current GSD students and recent graduates who serve as program-wide assistants and studio section instructors. 
• Interviews, selects, and oversees GSD faculty who cultivate the program’s curriculum as well as serve as section leaders and mentors to studio section instructors.
• Serves as the program advisor and primary decision-maker for concerns related to student progress, conflicts, and teaching challenges.
• Prior to the program, the Director oversees the design and preparation of marketing brochures, marketing strategies and outreach. Attends recruiting events.
• Provides guidance on the selection of student instructors for the three design disciplines.
• Assists with the application process, reviewing the more complex student applications as needed.

Design Curriculum Lead: 

• Responsible for working with the Executive Director and other program leadership on the development of specific adjustments to existing design curriculum and the generation of new design curriculum to build a library of design modules to connect across design programs in the full portfolio within this GSD division. 
• Responsible for assisting with specifying what granular design curricular elements are needed in order to create grouped assemblies that would result in a synthesized design certification (build into a new design certification pathway). 
• Design curriculum elements in library for the GSD division could include, but is not limited to the following media and elements:  Course titles, descriptions, syllabi frameworks with key course take-aways;  Pre-recorded design modules (video “shorts” of technical or conceptual design material specifically motivated by design disciplinary distinctions and GSD topic strengths for new design certification programs); Full online courses in contract with EdEx and/or LXP at Harvard University
• Coordination with teaching faculty, Harvard University VPAL LXP and EdEx team members, and media producers within this GSD division will be required on production and organization of curricular library elements. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:             

This position supervises the GSD EDE Program Coordinator, Undergraduate Program and Design Discovery Teaching Fellows and coordinates with the GSD Design Faculty (Lead faculty for Design Discovery) for Design Discovery.   

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position will be based on Cambridge, MA and is a hybrid position which includes a combination of onsite and remote work. This role is required to be onsite for the entire duration of their assigned programs when in-session. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

Applications are accepted from candidates not based in the Boston-Cambridge area, so long as they are able to commute to campus regularly during the academic year and reside in one of our approved payroll states. Harvard registered payroll states currently include Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Candidates must have employment authorization to work in the US, and we regret that we cannot sponsor a VISA.

Candidates who do not live within commuting distance of our Cambridge, Massachusetts campus should indicate on their resumes whether they are “willing to relocate,” as this position requires a regular on-campus presence.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be able to perform typical office tasks, including sitting for extended periods, using standard office equipment, and occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

College degree, liberal arts background preferred; 3 years' experience as a practitioner within the design disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture or urban planning and design; Leadership and managerial experience is required.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

Master's degree preferred. Video editing and/or film production experience preferred. Ability to promote participation in the program from within and outside the GSD; flexibility and initiative; organizational skills; proven leadership skills and teaching experience preferred.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity. 

SALARY INFORMATION: 

• Salary ranges within each pay grade are based on qualifications, skills, experience, equity in comparison to similar positions, and external market values. Salary ranges allow for differences among positions within the same grade as well as increasing levels of responsibility and performance within the same job. For more information regarding salary ranges at Harvard, please see: https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges

Please note that to be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume are required with the submission of your application.

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 058. 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.