Senior Executive Assistant & Faculty Program Manager

18-Jan-2024

Harvard Kennedy School

64708BR

Job Summary

The Senior Executive Assistant and Faculty Program Manager will work closely with Professor Elizabeth Linos and a diverse team of scholars at The People Lab (TPL) who are passionate about conducting collaborative, applied, data-driven research on key priorities in government. The role involves supporting Professor Linos directly by managing her calendar and travel, supporting her in teaching, and tracking and facilitating the execution of critical tasks across her role as a faculty member and as the Faculty Director of The People Lab. This role also supports the day-to-day operations of a growing research lab that interacts frequently with government leaders, donors, and academic stakeholders.

As first point of contact, overall lab manager, and internal and external representative of Professor Linos and The People Lab, this position has a high level of responsibility, accountability, and visibility. The position is ideal for motivated college graduates who are interested in pursuing graduate school in public policy, behavioral economics, or public management or are interested in using their operations and management skills to close the academic-policy divide. The type of person who will be happiest in this role in the kind of person who thrives in a challenging, high-paced environment; who sees value in “being in the room” to support complex research projects or to facilitate partnerships with public sector leaders; cares deeply about building a kind and fulfilling team environment; and who takes pride in ensuring that work is implemented at the highest level of professionalism.

This position is posted as a fully benefits-eligible one-year term appointment with strong possibility of renewal. Ideally, however, the position would be held for a minimum of two years.

The People Lab welcomes individuals who bring personal and professional experience complementing the Lab’s mission to apply for the position.

New and recent grads who meet the basic qualifications are encouraged to apply!

Position Description

• With a strategic focus, manage exceedingly complex calendars, travel arrangements and associated logistics, challenging negotiations, constantly changing variables, multiple ongoing conversations, tight timelines and varying degrees of pressure to meet TPL and Professor Linos’ priorities.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the lab, including scheduling meetings, managing logistics of events and retreats, onboarding new lab staff and RAs, and creating a healthy work environment.
• Summarize People Lab projects for diverse audiences, including policymakers, researchers, and the public to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the Lab’s work through various channels (e.g., newsletter, website, social media, presentations and reports).
• Serve as ambassador and gatekeeper for Professor Linos to external parties  (e.g. strategic partners, donors, alumni) as well as to staff and faculty.
• Act as counselor, consultant and strategist for TPL faculty director; recommend engagement with various projects, meetings, programs around the university and with external collaborators.
• Attend critical meetings with Professor Linos and high-profile stakeholders taking notes and working with TPL team to ensure that identified next steps are executed appropriately.
• Independently prioritize, plan, coordinate and/or oversee logistics for meetings with executive and senior level staff, donors, government officials, and other stakeholders. May include last minute changes to next day’s schedule.
• Manage Professor Linos’ email and proactively and strategically prioritize and recommend corrective actions for timely resolution.
• Work with key leadership at TPL and beyond to prepare Professor Linos for meetings, ensuring that agendas are prepared in advance, communicated and that key stakeholders are aware of and involved in critical meetings, as well as follow-up after critical meetings, ensuring that next steps are met as required.
• As requested, draft and review communications and presentations on behalf of and in the style of the Professor Linos. Use judgement and discretion to disseminate appropriate information to relevant parties in timely manner.
• Manage and reconcile expense reports, invoices and receipts.
• Manage course delivery: get copyright clearances for course readings and post them on Canvas (online course website), track student work, liaise with guests, coordinate audiovisual support, organize in-class activities, manage office hours for faculty.
• As requested, assist with the operationalizing the enhancement of existing programs, events and meetings for The People Lab: communicate with guests, reserve rooms, order catering, and manage all logistics.
• In collaboration with TPL leadership, operationalize the implementation of new projects and programs.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2+ years of experience in administration, research, or project management. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, economics, decision science, government, political science, or another directly related field strongly preferred.
• 2+ years professional experience supporting faculty and/or academic research projects strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple tasks/projects simultaneously preferred.
• Demonstrated experience writing for diverse audiences preferred.
• Exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail; self-motivation; excellent writing and communication skills; resourcefulness; flexibility and resilience; excellent interpersonal and customer relations skills.
• A positive & engaging demeanor, exemplary service orientation, a high level of organization, independent problem solving and the ability to proactively, accurately and responsively deliver on several tasks/projects, sometimes simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality of work.
• Demonstrated maturity and tact when working with sensitive information.
• Capacity to thrive in an often-demanding environment with a diverse portfolio of professional commitments/demands.
• Strong teammate with an ability to build productive relationships and work across all levels of a diverse organization.
• Personal or professional experience related to the mission of the Lab preferred.

Additional Information

Your resume/CV should include your cumulative GPA in college and (if applicable) grad school. GPA will be one factor among many that will be taken into consideration. In your cover letter, please be sure to include (a) why this position interests you, (b) when you might be available to start, and (c) names and contact information for at least three references. We will not contact references until later in the recruitment process, with your permission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire with strong possibility of renewal. 

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks. 
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA.  As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Salary Range: $69,404 – $113,558
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate’s relevant experience, and internal equity. 

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes 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.

About Us

About The People Lab

The People Lab, led by Professor Elizabeth Linos, aims to empower the public sector by producing cutting-edge research on the people of government and the communities they are called to serve. Using evidence from public management and insights from behavioral science, we study, design, and test strategies that can solve urgent public sector challenges in three core areas:

Strengthening the government workforce – how to recruit, retain and support diverse talent in the public sector that can effectively and equitably respond to the changing needs of residents.

Improving resident-government interactions – how to reduce barriers to equitable access to government services, mitigate the burdens that residents face when they interact with their government, and increase trust and satisfaction through such interactions.

Reimagining evidence-based policymaking  – how to better include excluded voices in the design, implementation and evaluation of government innovations, and support the equitable adoption of best practice at scale.

The majority of our projects are co-designed with public sector partner agencies in order to ensure feasibility in the short-term and scalability in the long-term.

About the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University

The People Lab is housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University is a fast-growing global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The center’s unprecedented cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 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.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code

405013 Administrator (N)

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Bloomberg Center for Cities

Annual Salary Range

$69,404 – $113,558

Union

55 – Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

40 hours/week; 8 hrs/day Monday-Friday

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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