Director of Alumni Engagement and Lifelong Career Development

Job Summary :

As an integral member of the HGSE Social Impact and Lifelong Learning (SILL) team, the Director of Alumni Engagement and Lifelong Career Development is a new position that will play a key leadership role in the evolution of alumni engagement and lifelong learning at HGSE.  The selected candidate will join a dynamic group of colleagues focused on empowering educators to build competencies, skills, and networks necessary to have positive impact in the field of education. The Director will lead and oversee HGSE’s alumni engagement and career services efforts to ensure current students and graduates maintain strong connections to the School and have opportunities to engage in timely, relevant professional development opportunities. Specific job responsibilities include:  

 

 

Job-Specific Responsibilities : Strategic Planning
•    Develop multi-year strategy for integrating existing HGSE alumni engagement and lifelong career development offerings with innovative new initiatives to ensure all graduates can build knowledge, skills, and networks for meaningful career advancement
•    Design a data-based approach to define success metrics for alumni and student engagement using tools such as Salesforce and Marketing Cloud, establishing measurement criteria and evaluating progress to drive improvements
•    Manage the redesign and implementation of a new HGSE Alumni webpage, online Career Development Center, and online Alumni Community in collaboration with SILL/HGSE colleagues
•    Create scalable career resources and coaching services for students and alumni considering early-, mid- and senior-level career needs
•    Oversee strategy to further extend Professional Education benefits to the HGSE alumni community, using data analysis to inform strategy adjustments
•    Lead integration of Advance data system with HGSE alumni data systems in partnership with HGSE IT and SILL colleagues
•    Liaise with HGSE Alumni Council to provide strategic input and feedback on current and new alumni engagement initiatives
•    Identify strategies for ongoing faculty engagement with HGSE students and alumni in advancing the SILL and HGSE missions
•    Partner with direct reports to ensure all services, opportunities, and initiatives are designed and delivered with attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion
•    Represent HGSE on School- and University-wide alumni engagement committees
 
Team Management
•    Evaluate existing strategies, procedures, and processes to ensure maximum coordination, synergy, and efficiencies amongst Alumni Relations and Career Services team members
•    Supervise Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Director of Career Services
•    Convene team members on a regular basis to ensure cohesion and transparent, collaborative decision-making
•    Model inclusive leadership in team meetings, hiring actions, performance management, opportunities for growth, and mentorship  
•    Serve as a resource to all direct reports, stepping in as needed to provide additional support and/or coverage  
 
Resource Management
•    Provide high-level budget oversight for Alumni Engagement and Career Development expenses, working with team members to ensure expenses and projections are accurate and within financial allocations  
•    Provide guidance and advocacy about resource allocation to ensure high-quality development and delivery of career and alumni offerings  
  Basic Qualifications :

B.A./B.S. required; Minimum 5 years progressively responsible experience managing and leading a complex organization or program; experience leading and managing senior staff; experience managing budgets. 

Any applicant wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume.
 

Additional Qualifications and Skills :

Advanced degree in education or management-related field preferred. Experience in alumni relations strongly preferred. Prior work in higher education; graduate school settings a plus. Demonstrated strategic planning skills and experience. Effective team-building skills and experience motivating, supervising, and supporting staff to achieve organizational goals. Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders along with commitment to equity and inclusion. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of career and career coaching theories; expertise in executive-level coaching a plus. Strong organizational, analytical, and management skills. High level of attention to detail and the ability set direction for outstanding service across multiple functions. Willingness to provide ground-level support as needed, including at night and/or on weekends during busy periods.

 

Certificates and Licenses : Physical Requirements : Working Conditions :

 

This position will be based in Cambridge.  All work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, and VT).

 

Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Additional Information :

HGSE is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

HGSE Human Resources values diversity in all forms, and believes that each employee brings a set of diverse experiences and identities to the workplace that makes us stronger, encourages innovation, and enhances our collective contributions.  We continue to develop and support a workforce that reflects the diversity of those we serve; fosters an environment that allows each individual to belong and to bring their best self to work; and creates the conditions that empower employees to contribute their full potential to advancing the work of the school.
We do this by:

•    Hiring and retaining staff reflecting the diversity of those we serve;
•    Providing employees opportunities to learn, grow, and be challenged;
•    Reviewing and ensuring fairness and equity in HR practices and policies including but not limited to hiring, promotion, and compensation;
•    Developing strong relationships and partnerships internal and external to our community to advance diversity and inclusion;
•    Communicating transparently and respectfully; and
•    Fostering an inclusive, respectful, and professional work environment  

We regret that the Harvard Graduate School of Education does not provide Visa sponsorship.

About the Harvard Graduate School of Education

Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu

 

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. Contact Information