Chief Research Enablement Officer (CREO)

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Research Enablement Officer (CREO) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the full research enterprise at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). Reporting to the Executive Dean, the CREO oversees research administration, including sponsored awards and compliance; research computing and data services; and library collections, services, and programs. The role leads the Executive Director of Research Administration, Director of Research Computing and Data Services, Director of HKS Library Services, Manager of Community Engagement & Special Projects, and Senior Administrative Coordinator, aligning these units into an integrated ecosystem supporting the full research lifecycle—from discovery and data acquisition through analysis, dissemination, and long-term stewardship.

The CREO works with faculty, center directors, University-wide offices, and HKS leadership to identify emerging needs, develop infrastructure, and position the School for complex, interdisciplinary funding opportunities. The role advises senior leaders on research and data strategy, analytics, research integrity and compliance, and research priorities. It also represents HKS in external forums concerning research policy, compliance, and infrastructure, including data security, privacy, and responsible AI use in research. The CREO serves as HKS’ Research Integrity Officer and supports collaboration among research teams and relevant University units.

The position provides executive oversight of research compliance and sponsored awards, data governance and shared data infrastructure, library and teaching-support services, and operational planning across portfolio units. It leads business-process and policy improvements, cross-organizational project coordination, and organizational development to advance research excellence while stewarding institutional resources and meeting regulatory obligations. The role is based on campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts and requires in-person work at least four days per week. The position is hybrid, with work schedules and locations determined by the department based on operational needs.

Requirements

• Advanced degree.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in research operations, enablement, or support.
• Experience managing complex organizations, programs, or administrative functions, including direct supervision of managers and professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience leading change and growth in a highly decentralized, matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and managing compliance functions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to influence and build consensus among stakeholders with differing priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience integrating multiple operational units into a unified, service-oriented organization with shared goals, processes, and performance measures.
• A design-thinking mindset and demonstrated success leading large-scale organizational change, process improvement, or service transformation focused on end users.
• Demonstrated commitment to service excellence and researcher-centered support that balances innovation, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Experience advising executive leadership on research strategy, compliance, organizational design, or institutional risk management.
• Experience leading units responsible for research enablement functions such as research computing, data services, library services, compliance, or externally sponsored funding.
• Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, or operational frameworks subject to regulatory, legal, or sponsor requirements.
• Experience collaborating with senior leaders, faculty, researchers, or other subject matter experts in a complex organization.
• Deep knowledge of the evolving research landscape, including federal funding requirements, research security, data governance, open science, and responsible AI use in research.
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary research programs and large, complex funding opportunities involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of research integrity and compliance requirements, including human subjects research, export controls, research and data security, privacy regulations, and sponsor requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans for HKS research and library services, aligning School and University research and data efforts across interdisciplinary teams.
• Integrate and strengthen research services and promote a collaborative, service-oriented research enterprise.
• Advise the Executive Dean, Academic Deans, and HKS leadership on data and research computing strategy, analytics, research integrity and compliance, and research priorities.
• Design and improve services and organizational structures to meet current and future public policy and social science research, teaching, and learning needs.
• Streamline research compliance and access to research resources to support timely reviews and approvals, and deepen partnerships with Harvard Library.
• Oversee, in collaboration with the HKS CIO, HKS CFO, and University offices, shared data warehousing infrastructure and ensure its security, scalability, and efficiency.
• Facilitate research problem-solving and compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, FISMA, international data privacy laws, and other privacy regulations.
• Facilitate management of data-use and sharing agreements, metadata standards, and protocols for data access, transfer, and release.
• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for HKS research compliance and sponsored award functions, including governance, internal controls, and cross-unit partnerships.
• Serve as HKS’ Research Integrity Officer and partner with faculty and School and University leadership.
• Coordinate with the Academic Deans’ Office and Degree Programs and Student Affairs on course support and academic integrity.
• Lead teams delivering co-curricular and course-embedded content, workshops, and resources that support student learning outcomes.
• Ensure community-oriented and student-focused HKS Library services across physical and digital spaces.
• Coordinate staffing, budgeting, and resource allocation across portfolio units.
• Facilitate shared software and data licensing and procurement to reduce costs and improve access to data and analytic tools.
• Oversee project timelines, deliverables, and quality assurance across data and research functions.
• Cultivate partnerships with HKS research centers, departments, students, faculty, staff, and fellows; ensure strategic plans reflect community needs and assessment.
• Represent HKS on University committees focused on research enablement and compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive