Executive Director

Harvard University • Boston, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Director is a strategic and administrative partner to the Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI) at Harvard Medical School (HMS), serving as the most senior scientific and administrative lead for all the department’s research support services and academic priorities. This position reports to the Chair of the department and has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Executive Dean for Administration at HMS.

DBMI is a community of creative scholars, talented scientists and dedicated staff focused on advancing Harvard Medical School's research, teaching and service missions. The focus of research in DBMI is the application of computational reasoning to advancing health care, with special emphasis on cutting-edge technologies such as AI. The department is looking for a creative and accomplished individual to drive the execution of the department’s goals, raising the profile of the department internally and externally, supporting the Chair and the faculty in identifying and recruiting new faculty, developing a productive and supportive culture within the department and advancing excellence in both research and teaching.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in computer science, biomedical informatics, data science, biological sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in research administration, research operations, or a related field, including experience managing staff and supporting research activities within a complex academic or clinical environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing people and organizational operations in support of research programs.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in computer science, biomedical informatics, data science, biological sciences, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic planning initiatives, developing and implementing organizational or operational plans, and translating organizational priorities into actionable objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate staff; make effective decisions; manage competing priorities; and oversee multiple complex activities in a time-sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational change and implementing new processes, programs, or initiatives in support of organizational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, build alignment among diverse stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and other constituents.
• Experience working in a highly regulated academic, clinical, research, or healthcare environment, with demonstrated ability to navigate applicable policies, procedures, and operational requirements.
• Strong computer, presentation, organizational, problem-resolution, and attention-to-detail skills, with the ability to manage work requiring accuracy and thoroughness.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for departmental research administration, overseeing the full portfolio of research-related activities and ensuring alignment with the department’s academic and research priorities.
• Serve as the senior research administrative officer for the department, partnering closely with the Chair to develop and execute strategies that advance research, education, faculty and institutional objectives.
• Lead and develop a high-performing administrative team, providing direction and oversight to Associate Directors of Educational Programs, Research Compliance and Finance & Grants Administration; leads of the Core for Computational Development and Core for Computational Resources; and Executive Assistant to the Executive Director.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Chair and faculty, providing guidance and solutions related to research operations, educational activities, resources, funding, personnel, technology and space.
• Advance a culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusivity, accountability and excellence across departmental faculty and staff in partnership with the Chair and senior leadership.
• Provide strategic oversight of departmental research programs and infrastructure, with an understanding of discovery/basic, translational, computational and data-driven research environments.
• Serve as a key liaison between department faculty and School and University administration, facilitating effective communication, resolving complex issues and ensuring departmental needs and priorities are appropriately represented.
• Assess and strategically manage departmental resource needs, including research space, funding, technology, staffing and other infrastructure required to support faculty research and educational programs.
• Ensure compliance with School, University and external sponsor requirements, translating institutional policies and funding requirements into effective departmental practices and processes.
• Identify and resolve complex administrative and operational challenges, applying sound judgment, creativity, diplomacy and a solutions-oriented approach to advance departmental priorities.
• Partner with the Chair on faculty recruitment and appointments, including faculty searches, offer development and negotiation, appointments and related administrative processes.
• Support faculty career development and academic advancement, monitoring faculty academic and career trajectories and partnering with the Office of Faculty Affairs on promotions, appointments and related matters.
• Facilitate and support faculty-industry collaborations, ensuring appropriate administrative and contractual coordination in partnership with Harvard's Office of Technology Development.
• Build strong partnerships across HMS and HU, collaborating with senior administrators and administrative offices to advance shared institutional and departmental priorities.
• Represent the department on institutional committees and working groups, contributing departmental expertise and fostering effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across teams, fostering a collegial, respectful and inclusive environment that supports innovation and high performance.

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