Director, Custom and Partner Programs

Harvard University • Boston, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Custom and Partner Programs leads the strategy, development, and growth of the Office for External Education’s custom client and partner program portfolio. The role aligns Harvard Medical School expertise with evolving client, learner, and market needs, and balances mission, academic quality, market opportunity, and financial goals. The Director leads a team and is a key decisionmaker for the unit.

The Director oversees program strategy and development, client and partner relationships, academic and general administration, financial management, and marketing and growth. The position works closely with senior leadership, faculty, Business Development, Program Delivery, Marketing, and AES to create and deliver high-quality programs, maintain client partnerships, and achieve revenue and contribution-margin goals. The role also supports integrating digital products into programming and represents the unit in external leadership forums.

The position is hybrid, with work location and schedule set by the department according to operational needs. The standard schedule is 35 hours per week. International travel and evening or weekend work may be required. Physical requirements include extended sitting and near-vision use for reading and computer work, as well as lifting approximately 20 to 30 pounds, bending, and other physical exertion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Innovative and solution-oriented, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Professionalism and diplomacy, a client-centric mindset, and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated success managing complex educational programs or projects involving multiple stakeholders, client relationships, financial operations, timelines, and deliverables.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities and effectiveness in collaborative, cross-functional environments.
• Strong organization, time-management skills, and attention to detail.
• Comfort working directly with clients and engaging senior executives and high-level stakeholders.
• Financial acumen, including experience in budgeting, pricing, and/or financial reporting.
• Adaptability and ability to lead others through change and collaborate with internal teams and external partners.
• Ability to anticipate client, program, and team needs and proactively identify opportunities and challenges.
• Consultative approach to client interactions, providing tailored solutions and long-term partnership value.
• Ability to orchestrate resources and align cross-functional efforts to meet program goals.
• Track record of cultivating trust and collaboration across diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel internationally and work evenings and weekends as required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in executive or professional education or related fields.
• Familiarity with instructional design principles and online learning platforms.
• Experience with Salesforce, learning management systems, or project management tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term business and growth strategies in collaboration with OEE senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities for program expansion, portfolio diversification, client retention, and new revenue while advancing revenue and contribution-margin goals.
• Direct portfolio design, pedagogy, delivery strategy, evaluation, and lifecycle management for custom and third-party partner programs.
• Partner with Business Development, faculty, and Program Delivery to translate client needs into high-quality learning experiences with defined outcomes.
• Lead program refinement and post-program follow-up using learner feedback, outcomes, and market insights.
• Provide strategic consultation on integrating digital products, including HMX and HealthXcelerate, into programs.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the team; set performance expectations, coach staff, and foster excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Anticipate trends and risks, resolve complex high-impact issues using independent judgment, and represent the unit in university-wide external leadership forums.
• Build and sustain executive-level relationships with clients, external partners, and senior faculty, serving as strategic lead and primary liaison throughout the custom program lifecycle.
• Represent HMS in client consultations, proposal development, and negotiations in partnership with Business Development.
• Oversee faculty contracts and compensation, and identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes.
• Ensure academic integrity, excellence, and consistency across learning formats, and ensure adherence to internal policies, processes, contractual obligations, and Harvard standards.
• Oversee program planning, faculty engagement, curriculum, pedagogy, scheduling, and delivery in collaboration with faculty, academic leadership, and internal teams.
• Partner with Program Delivery to ensure clear communication, high-quality execution, and alignment of resources, staff coverage, and workflows.
• Monitor program outcomes and learner feedback, lead After Action Reviews, and apply insights to future offerings.
• Lead financial planning, including large-scale budget development, pipeline management, margin optimization, and resource planning; monitor financial performance against targets.
• Maintain accountability for multi-million-dollar budgetary, revenue, and contribution-margin targets.
• Contribute to program pricing strategy and financial modeling.
• Maintain a growth-focused program pipeline with Business Development and identify opportunities to retain, expand, and diversify the portfolio.
• Collaborate with Marketing and AES on marketing, outreach, and positioning, including third-party partnerships, while ensuring messaging and branding align with HMS standards.
• Identify opportunities to adapt programs to market and geopolitical shifts while protecting revenues, program quality, and learner journeys.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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