Director, Data & Technology, Alumni Engagement and Development

Harvard University • Boston, MA

6h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director drives technology and data strategy for Harvard Business School’s Alumni Engagement and Development (AE&D), aligning with HBS and Harvard-wide technology while identifying differentiated capabilities that can create greater value for alumni. The role advances digital transformation and uses alumni data, AI, machine learning, and analytics to identify engagement and philanthropic opportunities, enable personalized outreach, and improve operational effectiveness. The Director works across AE&D, MBA, and Doctoral programs and consults with teams to align data and technology with organizational needs.

The position provides strategic stewardship of alumni data, strengthens governance, and enables trusted and responsible access and use. It partners with HBS IT and other stakeholders on technology planning, service delivery, tools, and processes; oversees technology contracts and major incident coverage; and leads AE&D’s Business Intelligence and Alumni Records teams, comprising six FTEs plus contractor support. The Director also represents AE&D across HBS and Harvard, guides cross-functional initiatives, and mentors managers and team members.

This is a hybrid position based at Harvard Business School’s Boston campus. Staff are expected to work onsite at least three days per week, with specific days and hours determined by business needs. The standard schedule is 40 hours per week.

Requirements

• At least seven years of post-secondary education or relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• At least five years in an IT leadership role and ten years of information technology experience.
• Ability to work effectively at all organizational levels and influence others toward a common vision or goal.
• Experience with principles, practices, methods, and techniques for long-range and strategic technology planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading successful IT system or tool implementations in a diverse and complex organization.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively, thrive in a complex, matrixed organization, and manage human and organizational dynamics.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity, and staff development.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, vendors, and other institutional constituencies.
• Ability to work onsite at least three days per week at the Boston campus; onsite coverage is provided Monday through Friday.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education, the nonprofit sector, or the technology sector.

Responsibilities

• Drive AE&D’s digital business transformation by prioritizing technology investments and reshaping processes to be digitally native, scalable, and effective.
• Champion data, analytics, and AI to improve decision-making, generate insights, and enable a more personalized alumni experience.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to use data and emerging capabilities, including AI and machine learning, to improve efficiency, scale impact, and create strategic value.
• Strengthen strategic planning and delivery coordination between AE&D and HBS IT, and collaborate with IT leadership to align technology services and strategies with organizational goals.
• Partner with HBS IT to select and implement scalable tools, processes, and procedures in support of School- or University-wide technology goals.
• Communicate future technology decisions and directions to senior School leadership.
• Steward alumni data and partner across HBS and Harvard to strengthen governance while enabling trusted, responsible access and use; serve as a consultant and partner across AMD.
• Ensure technology tool contracts are properly sourced, executed, and tracked in collaboration with HBS IT.
• Oversee AE&D coverage of major incidents and ensure effective responses.
• Identify innovation and enhancement opportunities using emerging technologies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner on and lead cross-functional data and technology efforts across AMD, working with data stewards embedded in other groups.
• Represent and advance AE&D technology needs across HBS and Harvard and influence enterprise decisions so alumni priorities are considered.
• Lead the AE&D Business Intelligence and Alumni Records teams, including six FTEs and contractor support.
• Mentor managers and team members and provide problem-solving tools to guide people, processes, and outcomes.
• Ensure AE&D representation on relevant HBS and University strategic committees and task forces.
• Monitor IT trends and regulations affecting student and alumni lifelong learning.
• Prioritize, review, and manage AE&D’s technology project pipeline and portfolio.
• Build trust and collaboration through onsite presence and direct engagement with colleagues and constituents.
• 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: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed