Associate Director – FAS Office for Academic Culture and Community

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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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office for Academic Culture and Community (FAS OACC) was formally launched in Summer 2025 to drive and strengthen engagement across the FAS’s dynamic community of students, faculty, staff, researchers, and affiliates.  To advance the FAS’s commitment to: “foster[ing] an environment of ambition, curiosity, and a shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience,” the OACC will envision, plan, consult, implement, and curate a suite of cross-cutting initiatives, programs, workshops, placemaking experiences, and visual culture renewal projects that foster connections, deepens engagement and dialogue, stewards cross-institutional partnerships, and employs collaborative, creative, and responsive  approaches to enhance academic culture, community dynamics, and the overarching  campus ethos.  

Reporting to the Executive Director in the FAS Office for Academic Culture and Community, the Associate Director will support cross-divisional planning and implementation of community building and engagement efforts within and across the FAS’s three academic divisions (Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences) and their aligned units, departments and centers. Through responsive and community-centered consultation, program development and facilitation, and strategic engagement with faculty, students, and staff, the Associate Director will serve as a critical liaison between OACC and the academic divisions. In addition to stewarding and enhancing cross-divisional community dynamics, the Associate Director will work collaboratively with the broader OACC team to develop and implement community-wide programs, workshops, symposia, colloquia, and other co-sponsored and special events. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Support & Engagement with Academic Divisions

• Act as a primary liaison to Department leadership, Division leadership, and the FAS OACC leadership team, regarding organizational (department/center level) community obstacles/challenges

  • Support unit/department-level interventions via attendance of various meetings, regular email communications, documentation of efforts, consultation with Divisional/FAS OACC leadership, and partnership with Divisions/Departments/Centers 

• Provide direct support to academic divisions:

  • Meet regularly with the Academic Divisions to understand and support academic culture and community-building goals and activities, data evaluation and assessment strategies, support related programming/efforts, and recommend new or modified programming/efforts as needed.

  • Based on input from Division/Department/Unit/Center leaders and climate survey results, assist the academic leadership and FAS OACC with identifying opportunities/gaps and setting long term vision and goals for the department designed to foster engagement and deepen academic culture and community dynamics.

  • Assist FAS OACC leadership in developing SMART goals (strategic, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) for the academic year to reach longer term vision.

  • Identify, coordinate, and implement appropriate training and resources developed by the FAS OACC and divisional leadership teams to help units work strategically and efficiently in reaching community goals, and act as a point of contact for units seeking guidance or consultation to address questions and/or triage emerging issues and referring to others as appropriate. 

Portfolio Management & Advisor to OACC Leadership Team 

• Serve as a thought-partner to OACC Executive Director—advising on divisional and cross-divisional matters and other academic culture and community deliverables and/or priorities 

• Regularly consult with Executive Director, Director, and divisional academic and administrative leaders proactively to address to address unit, department, and divisional community challenges and opportunities 

Program Development & Cross-Function Team Collaboration 

• Work collaboratively with broader OACC team and cross-institutional partners to ideate, develop, and support implementation of mission-critical activities, including but not limited to FAS-wide academic culture and community priorities, programs, curatorial initiatives, and special and co-sponsored events, etc. 

• Actively participate in and/or co-facilitate quarterly and annual programmatic and other strategic planning exercises convened for and by OACC staff. 

• Engagement with and support of FAS Culture and Community offices and other aligned University offices, networks, and initiatives. 

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office setting 
• Hybrid work schedule 

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time 
• Lifting of equipment up to 10 pounds (lbs)  

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required  
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience in academic-settings, community-engagement, and/or arts and culture sectors 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Expertise and/or professional experience in employing theories and praxis that support community-facing event /programmatic planning, curriculum and resource development, and facilitation experience 
• Experience with stakeholder management, particularly working with faculty and staff in a higher education setting, project management, conflict resolution, and problem solving, among others.  
• Master’s degree in relevant field preferred 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Strong commitment to continuous process improvement 
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and influence change without formal purview 
• Ability to develop and conduct trainings 
• Ability to analyze data and make determinations based upon data 

• Appointment End Date:  This is a 24-month term position from date of hire.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate:  Salary will be determined based on the position and the candidate’s relevant experience.
• 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.

NOTE:  Applicants must submit a cover letter with their application to be considered.

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.