Project Manager, Reimagining the Economy

Posting date: December 23, 2025

External Reference: 002068SR

• Job Type: Full-time
• Location: Cambridge
• School/Unit: Harvard Kennedy School
• Department: Center for International Development
• Salary Grade: 057
• Job Function: General Administration
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Term Appointment: Yes
• 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

The Reimagining the Economy Project (RtE) at the Harvard Kennedy School is recruiting a Project Manager for its new Global Economic Transformation initiative. The successful applicant will work closely with the RtE leadership team, graduate students, and other researchers within a tight-knit academic community at the Center for International Development, and in collaboration with the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy and the Taubman Center for State and Local Government.

This position will engage with RtE’s new Global Economic Transformation initiative, through which we are creating an international network of policy practitioners who are experimenting with new approaches to local, regional, and national economic development, and addressing challenges such as the creation of good jobs, growth in the services sector, and the green energy transition.

About the Reimagining the Economy Project

Founded in 2022, RtE is a multi-year research initiative that integrates a range of ideas, disciplinary thinking, and perspectives to produce multidisciplinary scholarship that reshapes narratives about how we achieve inclusive prosperity. The project develops, integrates, and disseminates three kinds of knowledge: (1) quantitative evidence on local labor market, industrial, and development policies in the U.S. and other national contexts; (2) the experiential knowledge of policy practitioners on questions of institutional constraints and opportunities; and (3) the perspectives of social and organizational theorists on the inequality-perpetuating features of existing institutions and possible alternative arrangements.

The successful candidate will work with the project’s leadership team on the following activities:

Community Management

• Develop the cadence and approach for a multistakeholder global community of practice, and engage and coordinate practitioners from governments and social enterprises from around the world.
• Prepare and disseminate policy and research briefs.
• Organize virtual and in-person convenings, prepare participants for meetings and develop meeting agendas in collaboration with the project leadership team.
• Direct outreach to stakeholders in academia, the practitioner community, and civil society.
• Manage the Global Economic Transformation Project’s communications, including website and blogs.

Project Management

• Recruit predoctoral fellows and graduate research assistants, assist in recruiting postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars.
• Manage research protocols and contracts, including data safety and data use agreements, IRB applications, vendor agreements, and so on.
• Manage timelines and deliverables for the project.
• Provide project updates to the project leadership team.

Project Administration, Finances and Operations

• Organize project meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Prepare interim grant reports and updated grant budgets for project funders.
• Provide general management on finances, administration, workflow, and culture.
• Manage project’s finances and operations in collaboration with CID’s Research Administration and Finance team.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or another related field is required.
• At least five years of relevant experience in project management, communications, and stakeholder management (where time in graduate school may count towards the requirement.)

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s in economics, public policy or another related field preferred.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including a background in working with practitioners and curating workshops.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in the study of inequality, economic development, industrial policy, governance and state capacity, workforce development, and/or related topics.
• Strong skills in organization and time management.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong writing skills for policy and general audiences.
• Strong command of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and collaborative tools (Google Docs, Dropbox).
• Experience with Drupal, WordPress, and/or other website content management systems.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: This is a fully benefits eligible term appointment ending two years from date of hire, with the possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

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.