Director of Special Projects

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Director for Special Projects is a member of the Executive Dean’s management team, responsible for advancing high-priority initiatives across Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). This role drives execution of strategic priorities, leads cross-functional collaboration, strengthens administrative effectiveness, and ensures alignment across offices, departments, and centers.

Serving as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Executive Dean and other School leaders, the Director translates strategic direction into coordinated action, ensuring timely progress and organizational coherence.

The Executive Dean’s portfolio includes campus planning and operations, executive education, finance, human resources, information technology, and research and library services. Each of these areas is led by a member of the Executive Dean’s leadership team, and the Director will be a member of this team.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Priorities and Execution:

• Partner with the Executive Dean and other leaders at the School in advancing special projects and strategic priorities. The Director will be responsible for ensuring the Executive Dean’s priorities are executed.

• Establish and lead cross-functional working groups to develop and implement priorities that further strengthen the administration and operations of the School.

• Complete data and policy analyses to guide informed decision-making.

• Provide regular briefings to the Executive Dean and other members of the leadership team on milestones, challenges, and progress.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: 

• Foster collaboration and communication across departments and research centers, ensuring effective coordination and implementation of priorities. 

• Serve as a central point of coordination for cross-functional initiatives.

• Support leaders at the School with advancing School-wide objectives, as directed by the Executive Dean.

Operational and Programmatic Oversight: 

• Recommend and implement systems and process improvements to enhance administrative effectiveness, in collaboration with leaders across the School. 

• Co-lead the Local Emergency Management Team (LEMT), including developing and maintaining emergency procedures and protocols, working with the University’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) to ensure alignment with University emergency management, facilitating training and table-top exercises for members of the LEMT, leading response efforts, and assist with developing and executing plans for high-security events.

Executive Dean’s Office:

• Oversee daily operations of the Executive Dean’s office, ensuring efficiency, responsiveness, and effectiveness. 

• Develop systems and structures to support effective electronic record management, create meeting agendas and facilitate meetings, design and execute planning retreats, and create a process for setting and tracking annual goals across the Executive Dean’s team.

• Develop and manage workflow, communications, and agendas. 

• Create talking points and briefing materials for key institutional meetings and presentations.

About Harvard Kennedy School

Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match.

Our faculty, students, staff, about 23,000 degree program alumni, and more than 66,000 executive education participants tackle a diverse range of public challenges in the United States and around the world.

Our teaching, research, and engagement with practitioners focus on these priorities:

• Protecting international security and freedom

• Strengthening democracy

• Advancing social justice and human rights

• Increasing economic well-being

• Enhancing sustainability

• Improving public leadership and management

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight years of experience in a strategic leadership or project management role.
• Experience managing and supervising teams.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Exceptional project management and organizational skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment. 
• Experience managing professional staff, with a proven record of accomplishment in coaching others for high performance, professional development, and maximum cross-functional effectiveness.
• Experience in a non-profit or higher education setting preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders. 
• High level of diplomacy and problem-solving ability. 
• Ability to lead change management efforts.
• Proven success advising leaders and building collaborative relationships.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Passion for the mission and values of the Kennedy School.

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This position is based on our campus in Cambridge, MA and required to work on campus a minimum of 4 days/week. In addition, this position requires some evening and weekend onsite work associated with periodic event oversight and fulfilling LEMT responsibilities. Further, the Director is on-call for emergency response.

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 059. 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.