Program Manager (Government)

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 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 Program Manager is responsible for the strategy, design, and hands-on management of programs within the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Government. The position plans, develops, and carries out the programs of the Center for American Political Studies (CAPS), a research center within the Department, and exercises independent judgment in program strategy, planning, design, and implementation under the leadership of the Faculty Director and Director of Administration.

Responsibilities include designing, managing, and executing the full portfolio of CAPS programs, outreach and development activities, strategic communications, events, and student and faculty services, as well as supervising a number of staff positions.

The position is split 0.70 FTE — Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) and  0.30 FTE — Program Management for the Department of Government. 4 days of in-person work required.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Program Strategy & Design

• Based on leadership’s academic and research vision for the Center and the Department, develops and implements strategic plans, establishing priorities, timelines, deliverables, and measures of success.
• Translate research, academic, and institutional needs into clearly scoped programs, projects, and administrative requirements, adjusting plans as needed based on ongoing assessment and emerging priorities.
• Design, launch, and manage new programs and initiatives from concept through implementation, including cross-disciplinary, public-facing, and other strategic programming.
• Exercise independent judgment in evaluating and revising program policies, procedures, and offerings to strengthen effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with the Center’s and Department’s mission.
• Research and recommend new opportunities for funding, partnerships, and program development in collaboration with CAPS Faculty Director and the Director of Administration.
• Lead the Center’s and the Department’s data and analytics function to support evidence-based planning, program evaluation, and more effective decision-making.

Programs and Project Management

• Manage day-to-day program operations, including logistics design, coordination, implementation, follow-through, and issue resolution.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in setting priorities, managing competing demands, and advancing program and operational work with minimal supervision.
• Manage student grants, fellowships, and faculty grants programs, including developing guidelines, managing faculty review and selection processes, administering awards, and overseeing funds disbursement.
• Oversee annual and rolling funding processes, including student seed grants, graduate dissertation fellowships, undergraduate summer research grants, and faculty grants.
• Develop and execute events and programs, managing logistics directly and with support from student workers.
• Manage cross-functional projects and initiatives from planning through delivery, coordinating stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables.
• Prepare regular progress reports for leadership, faculty committees, and other stakeholders.
• Partner with the Faculty Director and Director of Administration on strategy, operations, compliance, reporting, and program priorities.
• Support affiliated students and faculty, connecting them with resources, funding, and opportunities, serving as their liaison with other centers/programs.

Outreach & Strategic Communications

• Develop and execute communications and outreach strategies, ensuring clear messaging, consistent voice, and alignment with academic and programmatic priorities.
• Serve as a liaison to the centralized communications team by gathering and coordinating unit-specific content, updates, calendars, contact information, and other materials needed to support timely and accurate communications.
• Represent the Center to internal and external Center constituents across the University and beyond, serving as a primary point of contact for program inquiries and external engagement opportunities.
• Conceptualize program and partnership inquiries by clarifying faculty and student priorities, assessing alignment with pre-determined priorities, and determining programmatic feasibility.
• Manage constituent cultivation and stewardship efforts, including developing outreach and solicitation strategies, identifying prospective funding sources, and supporting targeted fundraising opportunities in collaboration with the leadership.
• Identify, adapt, and use technical tools to improve outreach, communications, constituent management, and engagement tracking.

Staff Management

• May supervise and develop support staff and contingent workers
• Establish and promote consistent practices, processes, and reporting standards 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, previous experience in project/relationship management required.
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in program or project management, preferably in higher education or a research setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree preferred
• Prior experience supervising full-time staff, including coaching, providing feedback, and managing day to day workload and priorities
• Experience designing and launching new academic or public-facing programs
• management experience within a development or similarly complex environment strongly preferred.
• Experience managing graduate studies programs
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce polished, high-level communications for varied audiences.
• Development experience, including donor cultivation, fundraising, or grants strategy.
• Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands across a split appointment serving two units.
• Strategic thinking and sound independent judgment in ambiguous situations.
• Initiative and self-direction—able to carry out the substantive work of the role with minimal supervision.
• Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive matters.
• Strong client relationship management skills
• Experience operating comfortably in a fast-paced, high-visibility academic program environment
• Strengths in moving fluidly between external client conversations, internal Harvard administrative processes, faculty and student coordination, and detailed program execution.
• Experience leading strategic communications across web, email, and social media.
• Interest in or familiarity with American politics or the social sciences.

• 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, Criminal, Education
• Other Information: All 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 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.