Faculty Assistant & Program Coordinator

Job Description

Are you drawn to the community and energy of being on a college campus? Can you see yourself supporting distinguished academics? If so, consider joining our team as a Faculty Assistant and Program Coordinator at Harvard Kennedy School. Faculty Assistants work closely with faculty to make valued contributions in support of Harvard Kennedy School’s mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. You will also support the Global Food Systems Program.

What you’ll do:

• Manage course delivery: get copyright clearances for course readings and post them on Canvas (online course website), track student work, liaise with guests, coordinate audiovisual support, organize in-class activities, manage office hours for faculty
• Serve as principal source of information on established unit/project/program policies and advises faculty, students or staff; including overseeing the teaching team (of teaching fellows and course assistants)
• Communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the faculty, possibly assist with faculty recruitment or promotion processes
• Manage complex calendars, travel arrangements, and expense reimbursements
• Proofread documents, retrieve research resources, and submit materials for publishing and distribution on campus and globally
• Plan events: communicate with guests, reserve rooms, order catering, and manage all logistics
• Move projects forward and continually look for ways to leverage faculty time
• Assist in the planning and teaching of degree program classes as well as executive education programs
• Work with course coaches and research assistants on various cases and simulations that demand great attention to detail, effective communication, and organizational flexibility
• Assist in growing the newly established Program in Global Food Systems by setting up programmatic meetings for faculty across campus working in the food space
• Coordinate with student groups in agriculture and food when they host events and invite outside speakers
• Coordinate the annual PAPSAC conference - coordinate space and room reservations, catering, communication, marketing, travel, event set-up, event registration, greet guests, coordinate security when necessary, manage event audiovisual needs
• Manage programmatic reimbursements for guests and other stakeholders.
• Fulfill programmatic administrative needs as necessary

Who you are:

• You set a high bar for yourself with attention to detail and strong customer service
• You can communicate with various different social styles and adjust to the working styles of others when necessary
• You are proactive and can anticipate the needs of your role
• You know how to be helpful even when you don’t have the answer
• Adaptability is second nature; with constant change, you are flexible and receptive to feedback
• You are comfortable juggling competing priorities, reporting to multiple supervisors, and accommodating a broad range of work-styles
• You work well independently and also contribute as a valuable team member
• People describe you as reliable – you always follow through and strive to surpass expectations
• You’ve worked in an office environment before and are proficient with Microsoft Office