Senior Events Manager

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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 Center for International Development (CID) is Harvard University’s hub for cutting-edge research on the world’s most pressing international development issues. Based at Harvard Kennedy School, CID brings researchers and practitioners together across the university to collaborate, using the latest analytical tools to address pressing development challenges. CID organizes global talent worldwide by investing in people, places, and ideas to build a thriving world for all.

CID has an opening for a Senior Events Manager to lead the strategy, design, and execution of CID’s public-facing events in Cambridge and globally. This role is ideal for a candidate who enjoys developing innovative event strategies that advance CID's mission while also taking ownership of the operational excellence required to deliver exceptional experiences and strengthen global engagement. The Senior Events Manager will serve as the Center’s lead on all CID events and convenings, shaping the overall vision and annual event portfolio, advising leadership on programming priorities and directing the development and execution of conferences, student seminars, and strategic convenings for the CID community (including staff, fellows, Harvard students, global alumni, and external practitioners and researchers). This position will report to CID’s Senior Director of Communications and coordinate closely with the Associate Director, Student and Fellow Programming and broader CID team.

As a small, collaborative team, CID staff are responsible for both planning and executing programming. They must have the ability to interact and collaborate closely with a variety of stakeholders including students, fellows, faculty, donors, development partners and prominent individuals and organizations with tact and diplomacy. This position requires working independently and as part of a team, and a high level of maturity and good judgment. Given the nature of this position, the candidate will be required to work mostly in-person at the CID offices during the academic year, with more flexibility over the summer. CID is a high-profile, fast-paced office with friendly and energetic staff. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Event Planning & Program Development (65%) 

• Develop and lead a comprehensive annual events strategy that advances CID's mission, research priorities, institutional visibility, and community engagement across Harvard and globally.  
• Lead financial planning and stewardship for CID's annual events portfolio, developing budgets, allocating resources strategically, monitoring expenditures, and identifying opportunities to maximize impact and efficiency.  
• Lead design and delivery of CID's event portfolio, including ongoing programming and marquee events such as CID’s flagship annual Global Empowerment Meeting (GEM), and working with faculty and leadership to identify priority themes, curate speakers, shape program content, and engage target audiences. Advise CID leadership on the annual events calendar, prioritizing programming opportunities and balancing institutional goals, faculty interests, budget, and organizational capacity.  
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that expand the reach and impact of CID programming. Advise leadership on opportunities for external speaking engagements, collaborations, and new event initiatives that strengthen CID's visibility and influence.  
• Serve as a strategic advisor to faculty and leadership in developing programming that elevates CID research, responds to emerging policy issues, and strengthens relationships across Harvard and the global development community.  
• Establish metrics to evaluate event success, analyze participation trends and audience feedback, and recommend improvements to programming strategy, engagement, and operational effectiveness.  

Event Operations & Delivery (35%) 

• Manage all logistical aspects of events, conferences, and speaker visits, including venue coordination, catering, travel, audiovisual needs, registration, and on-site execution, as well as supporting logistics when needed for regional programming off campus. 
• Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve operational and technical challenges during event planning and execution, exercising sound judgment under pressure. 
• Develop, manage, and reallocate the budget for conferences, event series, and outreach. Negotiate contracts, as needed, and manage internal and external vendors, such as facilities, catering, media and technology services, security, and other vendors. 
• In collaboration with the CID Communications team, coordinate communications and event promotion through Harvard and external channels, including drafting the CID weekly newsletter, event posters, social media posts, etc. Initiate post-event communications including event write-ups, posting on CID’s YouTube channel, and more.
• Manage event registration and attendance tracking through Salesforce and other systems, ensuring collection of information at registration that will lead to a successful event. 
• Process event-related invoices, reimbursements, and financial documentation. 
• Oversee support of hybrid and virtual programming, including Zoom webinar setup, livestream coordination, and audiovisual troubleshooting. 
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment by supporting additional CID initiatives and operational needs as required. 
• Operate independently in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail, initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with limited oversight. 

Basic Qualifications:

• BA/BS and a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in event management, program management, higher education administration, or related field. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

If you have some but not all of the following, we encourage you to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Economics, Public Policy, International Development) preferred.
• Professional work experience in international development and deep understanding of the development sector preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience leading strategy and management of complex events, programs, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Masters’ degree is preferred in Economics, Public Policy, International Development, or related field requiring substantial quantitative coursework. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. 
• Position requires adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to multitask while maintaining excellent attention to detail. 
• Successful candidate must be highly motivated and detail-oriented, have the ability to meet tight deadlines, and strong organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with experience providing complex administrative and programmatic support, working well independently and contributing as a valuable team member. 
• Strong proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, AI tools. 
• Experience running online webinars and live streams, using Zoom and other software.

• Appointment End Date:This is a benefits eligible term appointment for 1 year from date of hire with strong possibility of renewal. 
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This position works on site on our campus in Cambridge, MA.

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.