"Assistant Director, First-Year Seminar Program"

Job Summary

Independently plan and implement academic affairs operations including faculty support, curriculum management and training.

Job Specific Responsibilities

Program Management and Leadership

Works closely with the Director to uphold and enhance the quality of the First-Year Seminar Program (FYSP); contributes to the strategic planning and design of the Program; and leads, optimizes, and manages the team’s delivery of year-round administrative services to teaching faculty and students.

For teaching faculty:

• Manages and oversees the administrative process of developing new seminars and enhancing existing ones; interprets and communicates policies; researches and advises on resources and experiential opportunities
• Implements, in collaboration with faculty, new post-seminar modules taking place on Harvard’s campus and beyond
• Reviews, monitors and approves seminar budgets and expenses in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Administration.

This role entails collaborating with faculty across disciplines, requiring rapport building, relationship management, and the ability to adapt policies, guidelines, expectations, and goals to different academic areas.

For students:

• Oversees students’ applications and the Program’s enrollment cycles
• Ensures excellence and timeliness in addressing students’ inquiries, concerns, and needs
• Advises students on seminar offerings

This work includes acting as the business sponsor for the FYSP application system; the Assistant Director will lead the system’s maintenance and development through collaboration with HUIT.

Administrative Oversight

Oversees all the administrative aspects for the Standing Committee meetings and all Program’s events, including:

• Sets agenda and schedules Standing Committee meetings
• Guides and supervises Coordinator’s collection of meeting materials
• Reviews seminar proposals to ensure conformity with policy, procedures, and instructional guidelines
• Analyzes key programmatic data and shares results with Standing Committee and other College leadership to guide strategic decision-making
• Provides real-time support and tracking of Committee Meetings
• Leads the Program’s deployment of AI technologies to enhance office operations, including: Designs and deploys innovative, AI-enabled interventions to optimize workflows and deliverables; Creates and applies AI-enabled strategies to improve data insights; Trains and supports staff members in effective adoption of AI technologies for office use; Develops manuals and documentation on operating procedures to ensure consistency and long-term usability; Liaises with College, FAS, and University partners to understand policies, best practices, and opportunities for collaboration; Keeps up to date on university policies related to AI, data security, and technology

Data Management Oversight

Gathers, evaluates, analyzes, and enhances data accumulated in the Program over the past two decades, including:

• Creates a database for tracking teaching faculty
• Designs, implements, and optimizes business processes for maintaining critical Program data
• Leads the Program’s creation and delivery of reports used for faculty recruitment

Management Responsibilities

Supervises, trains and mentors the Program Coordinator, including:

• Provides feedback, growth and development, workflow optimization, and weekly 1:1 meetings
• Assigns and oversees day-to-day work
• Conducts annual performance reviews
• Trains and supports Coordinator on business processes, systems, and technologies

Campus Collaborations and Partnerships

Represents the Program in tasks and collaborations across FAS and beyond, including:

• Manages relationships and collaborations with stakeholders
• Responsible for the public face of the Program and guidance for the Program’s communications, including Program websites and content in other College publications
• Serves as primary point of contact for FYSP when the Director isn’t available
• Participates as a member of the Harvard College Curriculum team and represents the Program in other meetings as appropriate

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting

Physical Requirements

Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time; Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• AI literacy and proven experience in applying AI technologies to improve office workflows and operational efficiency
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Intermediate Excel skills
• Ability to work with students, colleagues, faculty, and external offices
• Exceptionally detail-oriented with excellent written and oral communication skills ensuring clarity and precision in all interactions and documentation
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and solve emerging problems in real-time
• Collaborative team player with demonstrated ability to be self-directed and proactive
• Highly organized and capable of setting priorities and managing multiple tasks simultaneously
• Enthusiasm and demonstrated experience managing and working in a team
• Skilled at developing innovative solutions to complex problems

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: 2-year limited term appointment starting from hire date
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Please include a cover letter to be considered for this position.
• Work Format Details: This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
• Salary Grade and Ranges: This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
• Benefits: Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 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. Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
• EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement: Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy.