Executive Assistant, Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative, operational, and project support to the Academic Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans for Faculty and Academic Affairs, and the broader Dean’s Office. Working with a high degree of independence, discretion, and professionalism, the position manages complex scheduling, supports faculty governance and academic initiatives, coordinates cross-functional projects, and serves as a key liaison among faculty, academic leadership, and central University offices.
This role is critical to ensuring effective communication, efficient operations, and seamless coordination across the Dean’s Office, Office of Academic Affairs, and Administrative Dean’s Office. The Academic Coordinator also partners closely with the Dean’s Executive Assistant to provide integrated support for the Dean’s Office leadership team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience, preferably supporting senior leadership in higher education.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated success managing complex calendars, projects, and competing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to exercise sound judgment with confidential information.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
• Experience in higher education or academic administration preferred; Harvard administrative experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced administrative support to academic leadership, including calendar management, meeting coordination, correspondence, and preparation of agendas and briefing materials.
• Track action items and ensure timely follow-up on priorities and initiatives.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Serve as backup support for the Dean’s Office and Administrative Dean’s Office as needed.
• Coordinate faculty meetings, Faculty Council meetings, committee meetings, workshops, and other academic governance activities.
• Support faculty-related processes, special initiatives, and strategic planning efforts.
• Serve as a liaison between faculty, academic leadership, and University offices to facilitate communication and collaboration.
• Support strategic projects and initiatives led by the Dean’s Office and Office of Academic Affairs.
• Develop and maintain systems, workflows, and processes that improve operational effectiveness.
• Assist with data collection, reporting, document preparation, and project tracking.
• Coordinate and execute faculty meetings, leadership events, accreditation reviews, Visiting Committee activities, workshops, lectures, and other special events.
• Manage logistics including scheduling, communications, materials preparation, technology support, and vendor coordination.
• Support both in-person and virtual events.
• Maintain organized records, files, and documentation systems.
• Assist with budget tracking, expense processing, and administrative operations.
• Support collaboration across academic and administrative units and help manage increasing cross-functional demands.

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: Executive