Managing Director, HBS AI Institute

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 Business School (HBS)?

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

HBS AI Institute

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how organizations operate, compete, and create value. The implications extend beyond technology to leadership, workforce transformation, business model innovation, and the structure of organizations themselves. As AI capabilities accelerate, institutions that successfully integrate research, learning, and practice will play a defining role in shaping the future of business.

The HBS AI Institute serves as Harvard Business School’s central platform for advancing AI-driven transformation across research, learning, and practice. The Institute connects faculty, students, companies, and global leaders to accelerate understanding and adoption of AI in business and society. Through rigorous research, immersive learning, and real-world collaboration, the Institute positions HBS as a global leader in the age of AI.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Managing Director will serve as the administrative head of the institute, responsible for stewarding the HBS AI Institute as an integrated platform across Harvard Business School. This role represents the next phase of the Institute’s evolution, transitioning from launch and early growth to long-term institutional integration, operational excellence, and sustained global impact.

The Managing Director will work closely with the institute’s faculty leadership and senior HBS administration to ensure the Institute continues to scale effectively across research programs, educational initiatives, and corporate partnerships. This individual will serve as a unifying leader who oversees a leadership team responsible for the Institute’s major functional areas, ensuring alignment, integration, and operational excellence across the Institute’s portfolio.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Managing Director will serve as the primary integrative leader of the HBS AI Institute, responsible for managing and aligning a diverse portfolio of initiatives spanning research, learning, partnerships, technical capabilities, and operations.

The Managing Director will partner closely with faculty leadership to guide and execute the Institute’s long-term strategy. This includes ensuring that research initiatives are aligned with emerging priorities, supporting faculty collaboration across disciplines, and facilitating the translation of research into educational offerings and practical applications. The role requires balancing academic priorities with operational execution, ensuring that the Institute remains both intellectually rigorous and operationally effective.

The Managing Director will also be responsible for managing the operational infrastructure of the Institute, including staffing, budgeting, planning, and performance management. This individual will ensure that the Institute’s organizational model supports continued growth and that processes are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with the School’s broader priorities. The role requires a strong systems perspective and the ability to coordinate complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders.

A critical component of the role will be to ensure continued integration of the Institute across Harvard Business School. The Managing Director will work closely with faculty units, administrative teams, and School leadership to ensure that the Institute is embedded across HBS and serves as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation. This will include identifying opportunities for cross-unit collaboration, supporting faculty engagement, and ensuring alignment with broader School priorities.

The Managing Director will also oversee the Institute’s external engagement strategy, working with the leadership team to develop and manage partnerships with companies, policymakers, and global organizations. These partnerships will support research, learning, and real-world experimentation, helping to ensure that the Institute’s work remains relevant and impactful.

The role also includes oversight of shared capabilities that support Institute activities, including technical and data science resources, convenings and events, communications, and operational support. The Managing Director will ensure that these capabilities are coordinated effectively and aligned with Institute and HBS priorities. HBS staff are expected to build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents. This role is responsible for additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of relevant leadership experience is required, ideally in academic, research, or innovation-focused organizations.
• Bachelor's degree is required. An advanced degree such as a Ph.D. is preferred.
• The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and integrative leader with significant experience operating in academic environments and a strong understanding of academic research processes. This individual will be comfortable working in a faculty-driven environment and will have experience supporting research initiatives, managing academic collaborations, and navigating the complexities of academic governance and institutional decision-making.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate experience leading complex organizations or initiatives that span multiple functional areas. They will have a track record of managing senior leadership teams, aligning diverse stakeholders, and scaling initiatives in dynamic environments.
• Strong demonstrated collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across faculty, administration, and external partners. They will be comfortable operating in matrixed environments and navigating complex stakeholder relationships.
• Strong communication skills are essential, as the role requires representing the Institute across Harvard Business School and beyond. The candidate should also demonstrate intellectual curiosity, flexibility, and comfort operating in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Be committed to advancing the mission of Harvard Business School and shaping the future of business education in the age of artificial intelligence.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience working at the intersection of academia, industry, and innovation is highly desirable. Familiarity with AI, digital transformation, or emerging technologies is also valuable, though deep technical expertise is not required.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week, exempt role
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday - Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this role.