Director, Program on Law and Political Economy

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 Harvard Law School?

Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.

The Program on Law and Political Economy at Harvard Law School is an academic program complementing national efforts to develop a sophisticated and high-impact field of law and political economy. The core function of the program is to foster a vibrant intellectual community in which faculty and students are on the cutting edge of thinking about political economy as an integral part of law. The program provides a variety of settings for scholarship and pedagogy that advances our understanding of how law structures social relations in the market society. These efforts are anchored at Harvard Law School but encompass cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary collaborations with scholars, students, and practitioners throughout the country who are concerned with how racialized and gendered power asymmetries interact with class power and economic inequality. In addition to research and teaching, the program serves as a roundtable for concrete programmatic efforts to transform areas critical to American law and political economy–including but not limited to labor law, innovation policy, monetary design, policing and the carceral state, and the judiciary. For more information, visit https://lpe.law.harvard.edu/ 

As the Director you will:

• Develop the program’s substantive elements–including fellowship programs, reading groups, workshops, colloquia, and research initiatives
• Manage program finances and administration
• Provide mentorship to the program’s postdoctoral and student fellows 
• Co-teach the student fellows seminar with the faculty director
• Maintain relations with the funders; writing grant reports; build development relations and pursue funding opportunities 
• Coordinate with student organizations and research centers with overlapping objectives
• Direct research and writing of reports or white papers the program will develop and publish 
• Develop appropriate online content and encourage links with public policy foundations and media organizations as appropriate

Basic Qualifications

JD degree or related advanced degree and 5 or more years of experience in related field.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have:

• Training in relevant allied fields
• Creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual rigor
• Aptitude for independent scholarly work as invited by the format of the position
• Experience in project management, organizational strategy, and grant development
• Demonstrated leadership skills

Appointment End Date: This is a term appointment expected to extend through July 6, 2027, with potential for renewal, subject to funding and departmental need.  

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Other Information:

All offers are made by HLS 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.