Assistant Director

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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 Summary:

The Assistant Director reports to the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute’s Executive Director and is responsible for administrative oversight within the Institute and coordination for effective administrative support within the FAS federated service model as well as coordination with Harvard Global, the India Office, and other Mittal regional locations. The Assistant Director will be responsible for the execution of existing programs, as well as the Institute’s communications and outreach to stakeholders and the public. The Assistant Director will work with the Executive Director to expand the Institute’s impact and reach, including the creation of new programming activities.  

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Cross-functional Coordination and Project Leadership: 

Coordinate and oversee support from FAS functional teams to ensure the Institute receives aligned, responsive administrative support. 

Lead and execute administrative projects, coordinate responses to requests and priorities from the division, FAS, and broader University, the India Office, and other regional locations, and represent the Institute on committees and working groups as needed.  

Resource stewardship: 

Provides strategic resource stewardship (space, trade-offs, grants, donor funds/reporting, delegated contracts, locally managed endowment funds, etc.) to Executive Director/Faculty Director and functional team members. 

Program Management: 

Provide oversight of the Institute’s events and programs and administrative functions in consultation with the Executive Director. Provide managerial support for student programs, events, communications, the Visiting Fellows Program, Arts Program, and other projects and initiatives as they arise. Travel to the region, if needed, to support project staff in launching new programs and initiatives. 

Manage the Communications Manager, Arts Program Manager, Events Coordinator, and Scholars Engagement and Administrative Coordinator, and serve as backup for these functions as needed. Ensure effective coordination across team members; resolve complex operational and programmatic issues; and ensure that monitoring and evaluation protocols are implemented to promote accountability, assess outcomes, and support continuous improvement. Oversee the training, professional development, and performance management of direct reports. 

Support end-to-end faculty grant processes, including RFP development, application management, proposal review, and grant awards, in collaboration with the Executive Director. 

Manage ad hoc requests from faculty related to programs, research, conferences, and other Institute initiatives. 

Assist in the development and launch of new programs, including: 

• Managing program logistics and providing guidance on MOU development and processing. 

• Developing program rubrics and processes, coordinating logistics, and building connections with universities, nonprofit organizations, and other regional partners. 

Conduct research and analysis and prepare presentations, memos, reports, and other materials as needed. Collaborate with Institute staff and offices across the University to advance project objectives and ensure effective program implementation. 

Executive Board & Committee Support 

• Steering Committee: Attends all meetings to manage real-time documentation, record detailed minutes, and track action items. 

• Advisory Board: Directs meeting logistics and delivers high-level administrative support. 

Outreach and Community Engagement:  

Work with the LMSAI Executive Director to lead strategy for outreach to MI community including donors, faculty and students. Connect donors to faculty in coordination with Executive Director. Connect with other departments proactively to plan joint events and to spread knowledge of MI programming.  

Facilitates the coordination of collaborative activities & events among and between the Institute’s programs, as well as with other Harvard depts/centers. 

Other duties as assigned.  

Note: This position may require occasional international travel to attend workshops, or conferences and assist project staff with the launch of new programs in the region. 

Working Conditions:

This is a hybrid position with an expectation of working on campus three days per week. Exact schedule will be determined in conjunction with your manager and may adjust based on operational and/or business needs. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, with minimum of seven years program management experience. 
• Management experience.  

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree preferred. 
• Must have cultural and relational sensitivity. 
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills are necessary, as well as demonstrated written and oral communication skills. 
• Experience in an academic setting is strongly preferred. 
• Customer service orientation with excellent organizational, logistical, and time management capabilities. 
• Ability to work independently with strong attention to detail and follow-through are essential, along with the ability to meet deadlines. 
• Strong commitment to continuous process improvement.  
• Must enjoy working as part of a team and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; Adobe InDesign and knowledge of WordPress preferred. 

• 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, Credit, Criminal
• 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 058. 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.