Director of Operations, The People Lab

Posting date: March 25, 2026

External Reference: 002585SR

1. Job Type: Full-time
2. Location: Cambridge
3. School/Unit: Harvard Kennedy School
4. Department: Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University
5. Salary Grade: 058
6. Job Function: General Administration
7. FLSA Status: Exempt
8. Term Appointment: Yes
9. Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

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 the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

This position will work closely with a diverse team of scholars who are passionate about conducting collaborative, applied, data-driven research on key priorities in government. This position will be tasked with leading, managing, and executing the core administrative and financial operations required for The People Lab to run effectively and to scale.

About The People Lab

The People Lab, led by Professor Elizabeth Linos, is a research lab based at the Harvard Kennedy School that aims to empower the public sector by producing cutting-edge research on the people of government and the communities they are called to serve. Using evidence from public management and insights from behavioral science, we study, design, and test strategies that can solve urgent public sector challenges in three core areas:

• Strengthening the government workforce - how to recruit, retain and support diverse talent in the public sector that can effectively and equitably respond to the changing needs of residents.
• Improving resident-government interactions - how to reduce barriers to equitable access to government services, mitigate the burdens that residents face when they interact with their government, and increase trust and satisfaction through such interactions.
• Reimagining evidence-based policymaking - how to rethink the production and adoption of policy-relevant evidence in the public sector, including testing new approaches to designing interventions, encouraging evidence use, and scaling up best practice.

The majority of our projects are co-designed with public sector partner agencies in order to ensure feasibility in the short-term and scalability in the long-term.

The Director of Operations will report to the Faculty Director and will fulfill critical financial, budgeting, operational, and administrative functions for The People Lab (TPL). The role requires the ability to proactively identify and act on strategic needs and opportunities, while also executing recurring tasks effectively and adapting to additional requests as needed, often with tight deadlines. The position involves working independently and as part of a team, and requires excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, and business acumen. This role will lead support the management and oversight of a multi-million-dollar annual budget and will manage multiple cross-institutional relationships between TPL, the Center in which we are housed, and central campus staff and offices. The Director will oversee and supervise junior operations and administrative staff.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Human Resources

• Manage TPL’s hires and extensions, which include advising leadership on hiring procedures for fellows, students, full-time staff, temps, and LHTs; completing and submitting required forms in the HR workflows; coordinating I-9 process and, if applicable, visa sponsorship.
• Collaborate with the Faculty Director on employee engagement opportunities including supporting and enhancing the recruitment, selection/approval, onboarding, and offboarding processes for staff, students, and fellows, and planning team retreats and engagement opportunities.
• Process hiring and other personnel financial transactions, including extending or reallocating staff appointments across multiple grants and funding sources.
• Communicate HR requirements including overseeing operational aspects of performance management and goals process, performance improvement plans, salary and title adjustments, etc.

Finance

• Independently approve and implement financial transactions for The People Lab. Financial transactions include invoices, reimbursements, credit card expense reports, and other accounts payable and receivables using Harvard's online systems (e.g., Concur, Buy2Pay, and HART).
• Perform monthly financial analysis to be reviewed during budget meetings with leadership, including reviewing and reconciling budget-to-actuals, summarizing TPL’s financials, and highlighting adjustments and variances.
• Collaborate with the Faculty Director on the annual budget planning process including developing, tracking, forecasting, and administering the budget and grants.
• Develop and maintain financial planning models to support spending projections and Lab financial and personnel planning.
• Serve as a resource on university fiscal policies and procedures; serve as a liaison between TPL and Center and HKS finance teams; advise faculty, staff, fellows, and students on existing options or alternatives.

Sponsored Research Administration

• Oversee and implement all pre- and post-award aspects of TPL’s sponsored research portfolio, working closely with TPL’s Faculty Director and the Research Administration Office (RAO) throughout the lifecycle of a sponsored award.
• Support sponsored proposal preparation, including developing proposal budgets, coordinating submission timelines, and liaising with the Center, RAO, and Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) during proposal review and submission.
• Review new awards and work with the Center and OSP to set up sponsored accounts; monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with sponsor award guidelines; review award balances and reconcile accounts on a regular basis; consult with the Faculty Director on projected spending rates; confirm and manage personnel allocations, update costing and process journals, as necessary; consult with the Faculty Director, the research team, and the RAO on various post-award and research compliance considerations, including reporting.

Administration and Operations

• Oversee TPL’s operations related to IT and facilities management including procurement of technology for staff, work space set-ups for on campus and remote staff, development and implementation of office processes and policies, manage TPL’s subscriptions, etc.
• Work with TPL’s Faculty Executive Assistant and Faculty Program manager to identify and improve communications processes as needed including systems to track social media strategy, policy brief drafting and design, blogs and media coverage; plan events that support team connection.
• Manage special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 7+ years of relevant work experience. A relevant master's degree will count toward experience.

Important Application Instructions: A complete application must include a resume and a cover letter.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Exceptional organizational and project management capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and effectively prioritize time and tasks while adapting to changing needs and priorities.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive data with discretion and manage multiple tasks while maintaining an exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Creative thinking and problem solving, with interest and ability to identify and implement opportunities for operational efficiencies, introduce innovative ideas to the team, and learn and implement new financial tools.
• Clear comfort and capacity to deliver on both strategy and implementation.
• Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage regular and unexpected deadlines and demonstrate initiative.
• High level of maturity and empathy with outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and stakeholders.
• Exceptional thoroughness, accuracy, and agility with financial data, including demonstrated strong accounting, budgeting, analytical, and management skills needed.
• Experience with higher education financial and administration software and procedures desirable.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This is a hybrid position based on campus in Cambridge, MA, and expected to work on campus a minimum of 3 days/week.
• Important Application Instructions: A complete application must include a resume and a cover letter.

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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.