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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences?
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of
Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate
program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of
Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate
School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics
and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic
departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community
unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range
of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks
to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared
commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all
members of our community and prepares the next generation of
leaders through a transformative educational experience.
Job Description
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Administration, our Programs,
Communications and Engagement Manager (PCEM), is responsible for
managing a portfolio of departmental programs, communications,
events, and strategic initiatives that support the academic mission
of the Department. The position serves as a key partner to
departmental leadership in the planning, implementation, and
continuous improvement of programs and services that engage
faculty, students, alumni, donors, visitors, and external
stakeholders.
The PCEM provides leadership for departmental communications and
outreach activities, oversees internal grant and funding programs,
manages major events and academic programming, administers the
Department’s predoctoral research program, and develops systems and
processes that improve the effectiveness of departmental
operations. The role works closely with faculty, students, staff,
alumni, donors, and central University offices to ensure the
successful execution of high-profile initiatives and the effective
stewardship of departmental resources.
The position exercises substantial independent judgment in managing
multiple programs and projects simultaneously, developing
administrative processes, integrates AI processes and workflows
into daily tasks and program management, analyzing program
outcomes, and advising departmental leadership on opportunities to
strengthen engagement, communications, and program
effectiveness.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Internal Grants & Funding Programs
- Manage internal grant and funding programs from application
launch through award administration and reporting.
Coordinate application submissions, faculty review committees,
award notifications, and applicant communications regarding
eligibility, requirements, deadlines, and funding
opportunities.
Prepare committee materials and maintain complete records of
applications, recommendations, awards, and funding activity.
Partner with department leadership, faculty awards committee,
finance staff on award setup, fund distribution, and compliance
with donor restrictions and University policies.
Analyze funding trends and program outcomes; prepare reports
for leadership and improve internal grant administration processes,
workflows, and communications, optimizing as needed with AI
workflows.
Donor Stewardship & Reporting
- Partner with development staff and departmental leadership on
donor stewardship and reporting.
- Gather and prepare information on funded projects, outcomes,
and program impact for donor reports, briefings, presentations, and
related communications.
- Track funding sources and support alignment between funded
activities and donor intent.
Communications & External Engagement
- Lead departmental communications and outreach activities.
- Serve as liaison to the centralized communications team,
gathering and providing timely, accurate departmental content,
updates, calendars, and contact information for the website,
newsletters, and other communications; identify needed website
updates to keep information current and aligned with departmental
priorities.
- May coordinate departmental publications, newsletters, annual
reports, alumni communications, and other public-facing
materials.
- Work with FAS Comms to develop content highlighting faculty
achievements, student accomplishments, research initiatives, and
departmental activities.
- Coordinate with FAS Comms, Harvard Public Affairs & Comms,
Harvard Web Publishing, alumni relations, development offices,
freelance writers, designers, and other external partners.
- Oversee the department’s social media presence and
public-facing communications strategy.
- Lead departmental programming and partner with leadership on
long-term use of the new facility to foster collaboration,
community building, and intellectual engagement.
Events & Academic Programming
- Plan and execute events, conferences, department lectures,
workshops, programmatic support for faculty meetings and campus
search visits, and community-building activities.
- Develop event communications, invitations, and related content;
support faculty and leadership in developing programming and
related initiatives.
- Monitor event budgets and oversee event-related financial
transactions.
- Serve as the primary contact for departmental event inquiries,
sponsorship requests, and co-sponsored programming
opportunities.
Predoctoral Program Administration
- Manage administrative operations for the Department’s
predoctoral research program and related academic initiatives.
- Coordinate recruitment, application review, selection, and
appointment processes with faculty leadership, faculty support
staff, and central researcher services.
- Plan and deliver onboarding for incoming predoctoral fellows,
including orientation and training coordination; serve as their
primary administrative resource throughout their appointments.
- Coordinate program communications, workshops, professional
development, and community-building activities.
- Partner with faculty, departmental staff, and University
offices to ensure a high-quality fellow experience and compliance
with applicable policies and procedures.
Working Conditions:
- This position will require some on-site presence ranging from
2-3 days per week.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of five years of progressively
responsible experience in academic administration, program
management, communications, events, development, higher education
administration, or a related field.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience managing complex programs, events, or academic
initiatives.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
and independently.
- Experience working with faculty, students, and senior
administrators in a higher education environment.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving
skills.
- Experience with website content management systems,
communications
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:
- All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
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 057. 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.
