Senior Manager of Administration (Theater, Dance, and Media)

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

2h • Hybrid

About The Position

This role serves as a senior administrative leader and strategic partner to the Faculty Chair/s for the Theater, Dance, and Media (TDM) department. The primary responsibility is to ensure the effective management and coordination of administrative operations within the TDM administrative grouping (AG), aligning with Harvard's federated service model. The goal is to provide comprehensive administrative support that enables each unit to fulfill its teaching and research mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible administrative or operational experience
• Experience leading a complex performing arts program
• Experience in higher education or similar organizations
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and attention to detail
• Professional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and escalate issues appropriately
• Stakeholder coordination and customer-service orientation
• Executive-level judgment with the courage to speak candidly & constructively to senior leadership

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Chair(s), translating academic priorities into operational plans and advising on organizational, administrative, and resource-related decisions.
• Coordinate and oversee support from FAS functional teams to ensure the AG receives aligned, responsive administrative support.
• Manage, develop, and direct local administrative staff, establishing priorities, allocating work, and ensuring the AG has the necessary administrative capacity and infrastructure.
• Lead and execute departmental administrative projects, coordinate responses to requests from the division, FAS, and the broader University.
• Represent the department on committees and working groups as needed.
• Provide strategic resource stewardship, including managing space, trade-offs, grants, donor funds, delegated contracts, and locally managed endowment funds.

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: Manager