Associate Director of Academic Programs

Auto req ID

62464BR

Job Code

S0558P FSS Academic Affairs Officr IV

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Business Title

Associate Director of Academic Programs

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

058

Time Status

Full-time

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master's degree, or equivalent in terms of direct experience in complex higher education environment.
• Strong writing and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with tools such as SharePoint and Maxient.
• Familiarity working with academic policy.

Additional Information

All final offers will be made by FAS HR

Department

Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Science

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services

School/Unit

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

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.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience

Physical Requirements

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Working Conditions

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA and requires at least 3 days in the office. Furthermore, individual flexible and remote work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business.

Position Description

The Associate Director of Academic Programs reports to the Dean for Academic Programs and works closely with staff and senior leadership to support the academic mission of Harvard Griffin GSAS and the strategic work of the Academic Programs Office. The Associate Director contributes substantially to the strategic planning and assessment of current and future programs.

Strategic / committee work:

• Contributes to the development and review of materials in various committees, including the Graduate Policy Committee and the Committee on Graduate Education.
• Helps implement the work of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions and Graduate Education (GAGE) committee.
• Supports strategic planning of graduate student surveys related to advising (e.g., registration surveys) and employment outcomes (e.g., exit surveys); helps to design and support regular outreach to departments and programs with data from students.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of new academic policy, which may entail consultation with the Office of General Counsel, the College, and several Schools across Harvard.
• Liaises closely with Institutional Research to develop robust assessment tools and schedules.

Curricular program work:

• Works with the Dean for Academic Programs to develop process and criteria for reviewing tracks and sub-fields as well as annual updates to secondary field offerings.
• Works with the Dean for Academic Programs to develop the process for reviewing and approving proposals for new degree programs, and ultimately leads these processes.
• Advises on the implementation and creation of administrative infrastructure in newly established academic programs, including oversight of the Ad Hoc PhD application process.
• Manages the design and implementation of programming related to the Harvard Griffin GSAS English-Language teaching requirement.

Directors of Graduate Studies (DGS) and Department Administrators (DA)/Coordinators guidance:

• Acts as a primary advising resource for DGS in 59 academic programs on program requirements and academic policy. Organizes regular meetings and designs training tools and resources to serve the needs of DGSs. Supports Harvard Griffin GSAS in detailing the roles and responsibilities of the DGS, and onboarding support.
• Together with the Dean for Academic Programs and senior leadership in Harvard Griffin GSAS, designs a handbook for DGSs that will then be maintained and updated by the Associate Director.
• Develops and implements regular communication approach to DGSs.
• Partners with other Harvard Griffin GSAS staff to lead the DA meetings.

Academic policy work:

• Serves as primary point of contact for program administrators and faculty on annual policy review.
• Oversees the interpretation, implementation, refinement, and dissemination of policies related to Harvard Griffin GSAS academics.
• Works with the Director of Communications to ensure that policies in the Academic Programs domain are up to date and accurately presented on the offices web pages.

Special projects:

• Works with other teams across and beyond Harvard Griffin GSAS to co-facilitate cross-team meetings.
• Represents the Academic Programs team on case management related to teaching and learning, in collaboration with academic departments, Student Affairs, and/or Student Services. Attend case meetings with the Disability Access Office and Harvard Griffin GSAS Cross-Team Case Meetings.
• Designs and implements a protocol for tracking and documenting policy exceptions and academic cases centrally to reference for historic precedent.
• Provides support at large annual events such as Harvard Griffin GSAS Welcomes, Newly Admitted Students Day, and Harvard Horizons.
• Engages in the planning and running of Harvard Griffin GSAS Welcomes: International Summer Institute in collaboration with the Bok Center for Teaching and Learning.
• Works with the Registrar and HUIT to oversee and develop student enrollment and data systems to enhance student system user experience.

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.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website 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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)