Associate Dean for Academic Programs

Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration, is extending its search for a new Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The Associate Dean reports directly to the Dean and oversees Radcliffe’s four constitutive academic programs: Academic Ventures & Engagement, the Emerging Leaders Program, the Radcliffe Fellowship Program and the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, directly supervising the Executive Directors of the programs, who are each subject-matter experts in their fields, and three professional staff. The programs aim to advance transformative, interdisciplinary ideas and scholarship across the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professions. Additionally, the Associate Dean leads the Academic Programs Office, which is responsible for fostering and managing faculty and student engagement with the Institute.

Established in the 1999 merger agreement between Radcliffe College and Harvard University, the Radcliffe Institute aims to create an academic community where individuals can pursue advanced work in the academic disciplines, professions and creative arts. Within this broad purpose, and in recognition of Radcliffe’s historic contributions to the education of women and to the study of issues related to women, the Institute sustains a continuing commitment to the study of women, gender and society.

The new Associate Dean will work closely with the Dean and senior leadership to build on and expand the successes of the Radcliffe Engaged Strategic Plan. During phase two of the plan, the Institute will focus on continued expansion of our faculty and student engagement efforts, with the goal of further positioning HRI as the premier convener and driver of multiyear interdisciplinary studies. We will achieve this objective through expanded opportunities for thematic research teams comprising groups of researchers and postdoctoral candidates drawn from within Harvard and from universities across the world. We will also reinforce our value proposition for students who seek to learn and achieve impact in the world by earning core competencies in interdisciplinary learning and research. The Associate Dean will be responsible for developing relationships and implementing policies, practices and programs to promote these objectives throughout core programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Dean:

• Is a strong manager, intermediary and thought partner, collaborating with the Dean and Radcliffe’s senior leadership to develop and implement polices, practices and high-level programmatic initiatives and engagements that advance the Institute’s mission and realize its strategic priorities.
• Possesses strong practical problem-solving skills and operational expertise in driving strategic priorities.
• Supervises and strategizes with program directors to drive key initiatives to completion, ensuring that the four program departments are aligned with Institute priorities and timetables.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with HRI leadership, cross-school partners and Harvard faculty affiliates.
• Comanages relationships with and facilitates agenda setting for the Faculty Advisory Council, appointed and convened by the Dean and consisting of Radcliffe Faculty Directors, Faculty Advisors, Radcliffe Professors and other HRI faculty affiliates.
• Is an ambassador for Radcliffe within the University, developing collaborative relationships with colleagues at Harvard College and Harvard’s 12 graduate and professional schools, while strengthening the Institute’s contribution to University priorities and initiatives.
• Oversees the Academic Programs unit’s role in leading cross-Institute student engagement activities, including its oversight of the Student Advisory Board, student communications and student events.
• Collaborates with the Dean and others to implement best practices to realize and sustain an inclusive campus climate.
• Collaborates with colleagues in Finance on budgeting and long-range planning in line with strategic objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises direct reports, including, but not limited to, the Institute’s four program Executive Directors and members of the Academic Programs unit. Includes hiring, onboarding, training, work prioritization, supporting professional development and managing performance.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished academic administrator who would regard serving as a relationship manager, intermediary, and thought partner within a dynamic, high-performing research university setting as the ideal job. This role calls for a confident and mature professional with broad intellectual interests, a deep understanding of faculty concerns and prerogatives and a talent for discreet problem solving. The candidate should be institution-focused and committed to steering the priorities of the Radcliffe Dean while empowering and advocating for a high-functioning staff and academic programs. The ideal candidate must possess the self-confidence to collaborate with Harvard faculty, students, administrators and external stakeholders, while effectively managing donor and alumnae relationships. As a member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, the candidate should exemplify transparency, consultation and collaboration, coupled with decisive action and precise communication. Experience in navigating complex organizational dynamics and managing competing priorities is advantageous.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree required; JD preferred. Ten years’ progressively responsible experience in academic leadership, including experience in managing both individuals and teams.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The incumbent in this position will garner the trust and respect of the Dean, senior colleagues and staff and will serve as a key advisor, advocate, implementer, collaborator and consensus builder; will provide strategic leadership and effectively represent the interests, priorities, goals and aspirations of HRI with multiple and varied audiences and stakeholders (University administrators, faculty, practitioners and other HRI community members); and will demonstrate commitment to multidisciplinary programming and to fostering inclusion and belonging in all facets of the Institute’s programming and among students, faculty and staff. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are critical for success.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

Applications received before September 30, 2025, will receive best consideration. A complete application will include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and contact information for five referees who can speak about the candidate’s qualifications for this specific opportunity. The appointment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and equity in comparison to similar positions within Harvard’s Salary Grade 62, in addition to Harvard University’s exceptional employee benefits. Expressions of interest, applications, nominations and inquiries should be directed to HRI’s search consultant, Chuck O’Boyle of C. V. O’Boyle Jr., LLC, at chuck@cvoboyle.com, who will furnish a detailed specification upon request. All communications will be held in confidence, and referees will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior consent.