Associate Director, Educational Development and Accreditation
Company:
Harvard University
Job Location:
Cambridge, 02138
Category:
Assessment, Accreditation, and Compliance
Type:
Full-Time
Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join Harvard Medical School?
Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.
You'll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it's an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.
About the Department:
The Office for External Education provides health care professionals, corporations, and lay audiences with broad access to Harvard Medical School's peerless and constantly expanding body of medical knowledge. Our educational offerings are created in collaboration with members of the School's almost 12,000-member faculty and reflect firsthand, expert clinical insights based on breakthrough research and best practices. Our portfolio of innovative medical education opportunities is available to learners around the world and includes live in-person programs, hybrid courses, self-paced online learning, digital products, educational webinars, podcasts, and printed materials.
OEE's Continuing Education (CE) holds Joint Accreditation with Commendation and is dedicated to delivering accredited educational activities designed to maintain, enhance, and expand clinicans' knowledge, clinical skills, professional performance, and collaborative relationships in order to improve care for patients, advance public health and support health professions. Serving as the accredited provider to Harvard Medical School and the 15 Affiliate Hospitals, the HMS CE team accredited 365 activities, offering a total of 8726.5 credits and educating over 45,000 learners.
Job Description
Reporting to the Director, Educational Programs and Accreditation, this role is a strategic partner in advancing HMS Continuing Education priorities and goals, and also provides operational, programmatic and administrative leadership and guidance to the HMS Continuing Education program and sustains its Joint Accreditation with Commendation.
The Associate Director collaborates with HMS Course Directors, Course Administrators, and departmental staff to plan and implement accredited continuing education activities that meet standards and regulations established by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and Joint Accreditation (JA) criteria while supporting the office mission and vision. These activities include, but are not limited to, HMS accredited live conferences, online CME, enduring materials, Regularly Scheduled Series and Performance Improvement CME. The Associate Director also ensures that MyCE, HMS's accreditation management software, aligns with evolving ACCME/JA accreditation standards and supports accurate tracking and reporting of activities and learners.
Compliance and Accreditation Oversight
The Associate Director ensures compliance with Joint Accreditation, ACCME, HMS, and national CME standards. Working closely with the Director, the role monitors regulatory updates, refines internal policies and processes, and oversees proposal review to ensure educational design, content integrity, and regulatory alignment. Responsibilities include managing conflict-of-interest identification and resolution; reviewing educational materials to confirm adherence to accreditation criteria, AMA core requirements, and HMS policies; and recommending content revisions as needed. In collaboration with Contracts and Finance, the Associate Director ensures appropriate disclosure and communication when activities receive commercial support. The role leads internal audits of CE activities, identifies compliance risks, and develops corrective action plans. The Associate Director oversees annual data collection and reporting, including preparation of the Joint Accreditation PARS report, and implements an annual activity file audit process. The position also manages HMS's comprehensive reaccreditation process, contributing to the Self-Study Report and preparation of Performance-in-Practice files.
Accreditation Leadership
The Associate Director supports strategic advancement of HMS Continuing Education and cultivates a high-performing, service-oriented team culture. The role provides leadership, training, and mentorship to accredited program staff and ensures strong customer support for faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include managing key committees, such as the HMS Standing Committee on Continuing Professional Development and the Committee on Proposal Review. The Associate Director ensures CE activities reflect best practices in adult learning, educational technology, and physician professional development. The role represents HMS at national forums and professional meetings, including those hosted by the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions, ACCME, Joint Accreditation, and the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education.
Administration and Operations
The Associate Director oversees quality improvement initiatives for CE programs and maintains evaluation processes to assess activity effectiveness and overall program impact. The role prepares reports for OEE leadership, leads internal training on accreditation standards to ensure organizational knowledge remains current, and participates in departmental and University committees that strengthen HMS educational offerings. This position requires strategic thinking, deep expertise in accreditation standards, and the ability to lead complex regulatory processes while fostering collaboration and innovation in continuing medical education.
As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree, or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Master's degree in Education, Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development or related field preferred.
- Experience in CME or academic medicine highly desirable.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to function independently in a changing environment.
- Demonstrated skills in prioritizing/performing multiple tasks while maintaining attention to details.
- Excellent interpersonal, writing, and communication skills with the capability of working closely with activity organizers to ensure compliance with ACCME, JA, AMA, and HMS standards and regulations while providing quality customer service.
- Ability to successfully manage multiple projects with shifting deadlines.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Comfort in changing technologies with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite Products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook.
- In-depth knowledge of ACCME/Joint Accreditation (JA) policies and criteria.
Additional Information
- 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
- Other Information: Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.
- Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.
#LI-WG1
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. 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 058. 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, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
