Job Summary:

The National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University is a leading and internationally recognized program on crisis leadership. Established shortly after 9/11 at the request of the federal government, the program conducts research on crisis leadership, provides continuing education seminars devoted to crisis leadership, and advises leaders in times of crisis. NPLI faculty published one of the field's primary texts, "You're It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most." Given the tension between the federal administration and the university, the NPLI has shifted its focus from engagement with federal government agencies toward work with corporate, humanitarian, state, and local governments.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The NPLI Senior Program Manager is responsible for the Program's business functions. The individual in this position works independently, performing a wide range of complex and confidential administrative and clerical duties to support NPLI activities. The NPLI Senior Program Manager communicates with and engages a wide range of internal contacts across Harvard University, as well as external contacts involved in individual projects, collaborates with faculty members to develop project objectives, drafts a contract, and plans all logistical aspects of an engagement. This individual anticipates and resolves problems; updates the NPLI Director and NPLI lead faculty on the status of projects and project deliverables; and oversees internal contacts to coordinate project activities and meet deadlines.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinates and has direct responsibility for the administrative and logistical communications and activities with individuals inside and outside the NPLI who are involved in projects, to include ensuring all project deliverables and timelines are communicated and executed
• Provides regular communication to the NPLI Director and NPLI faculty about projects, administrative matters, and any other factors involved with the work of the NPLI.
• Participates with the NPLI Director and faculty members in planning, strategizing, and developing NPLI programs, new initiatives, and projects, including fundraising activities.
• Organizes and implements administrative systems and procedures, performing necessary support duties to internal and external stakeholders involved in the project.
• Serves as the principal source of information on established projects and advises internal contacts. Gathers all necessary industry information, research, summarizes findings, and provides updates and reports to internal contacts on the project.
• Drafts, edits, and prepares correspondence, reports, and other material using word processing, spreadsheets, and/or databases.
• Prepares, maintains, and reviews complex documents, reports, etc., to ensure project efforts and deliverables comply with university requirements and/or government regulations, and notifies supervisor of unusual situations.
• Provides for the smooth day-to-day flow of communications with internal and external contacts related to the project.
• May arrange for the use of facilities and advise on the availability of services within and outside the University for conferences and seminars.
• Assists in preparation of reporting to include writing, editing, and reviewing documents necessary to meet project deliverables; may provide policy interpretation on project parameters.
• May act as the liaison with related programs or projects of other universities or with government agencies, keeping the supervisor informed of relevant information.

The Senior Program Manager will perform other duties as assigned.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appoint of 6 months from date of hire with the possibility of extension.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a primarily remote position, however, scheduling flexibility may be required to come into the office for various meetings and events.