Director of Special Projects

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director for Special Projects is a member of the Executive Dean’s management team, responsible for advancing high-priority initiatives across Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). This role drives execution of strategic priorities, leads cross-functional collaboration, strengthens administrative effectiveness, and ensures alignment across offices, departments, and centers. Serving as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Executive Dean and other School leaders, the Director translates strategic direction into coordinated action, ensuring timely progress and organizational coherence. The Executive Dean’s portfolio includes campus planning and operations, executive education, finance, human resources, information technology, and research and library services. Each of these areas is led by a member of the Executive Dean’s leadership team, and the Director will be a member of this team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight years of experience in a strategic leadership or project management role.
• Experience managing and supervising teams.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Experience managing professional staff, with a proven record of accomplishment in coaching others for high performance, professional development, and maximum cross-functional effectiveness.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of diplomacy and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to lead change management efforts.
• Proven success advising leaders and building collaborative relationships.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Passion for the mission and values of the Kennedy School.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a non-profit or higher education setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Executive Dean and other leaders at the School in advancing special projects and strategic priorities. The Director will be responsible for ensuring the Executive Dean’s priorities are executed.
• Establish and lead cross-functional working groups to develop and implement priorities that further strengthen the administration and operations of the School.
• Complete data and policy analyses to guide informed decision-making.
• Provide regular briefings to the Executive Dean and other members of the leadership team on milestones, challenges, and progress.
• Foster collaboration and communication across departments and research centers, ensuring effective coordination and implementation of priorities.
• Serve as a central point of coordination for cross-functional initiatives.
• Support leaders at the School with advancing School-wide objectives, as directed by the Executive Dean.
• Recommend and implement systems and process improvements to enhance administrative effectiveness, in collaboration with leaders across the School.
• Co-lead the Local Emergency Management Team (LEMT), including developing and maintaining emergency procedures and protocols, working with the University’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) to ensure alignment with University emergency management, facilitating training and table-top exercises for members of the LEMT, leading response efforts, and assist with developing and executing plans for high-security events.
• Oversee daily operations of the Executive Dean’s office, ensuring efficiency, responsiveness, and effectiveness.
• Develop systems and structures to support effective electronic record management, create meeting agendas and facilitate meetings, design and execute planning retreats, and create a process for setting and tracking annual goals across the Executive Dean’s team.
• Develop and manage workflow, communications, and agendas.
• Create talking points and briefing materials for key institutional meetings and presentations.

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