Senior HR Coordinator

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 Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Reporting to the HR Operations Manager, the Senior HR Coordinator plays a vital role on the Harvard Kennedy School HR team, serving as a key partner in supporting the full employee lifecycle for staff, research fellows, and temporary employees. This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build or grow a career in Human Resources within a dynamic, mission-driven academic environment.

As part of a highly collaborative and supportive team, the Senior HR Coordinator works closely with HR Business Partners and colleagues across the school, gaining exposure to a wide range of HR functions and contributing to meaningful work that impacts the HKS community. The role encourages continuous learning, skill development, and knowledge sharing—team members actively learn from one another and work together to solve challenges and improve processes.

The Senior HR Coordinator will build a comprehensive understanding of workforce operations, while contributing to a positive employee experience and supporting the strategic goals of the organization.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Job Posting and Onboarding

• Support the Talent Acquisition Team by processing requests for new and updated positions to be posted.
• Manage communications throughout the onboarding process, ensuring the new employee and hiring manager are set up for success.
• Process hiring paperwork in PeopleSoft and update HKS HR’s internal systems upon the employee’s start date ensuring accurate data, necessary access for the employee, and timely payment.

Staff Job Changes and Payroll

• Responsible for processing staff job changes and additional payments requested by the HR Business Partners.
• Partner with the Office of Financial Services to ensure accurate biweekly payroll.
• Run weekly payroll reports to ensure accurate time and absence reporting.
• Maintain compliant personnel files according to law and university policy.

Research Fellows Processing

• Review and approve research fellow nominations and extension requests submitted by Center Coordinators to ensure proper classification and compliance of fellowships.
• Partner with the Research Administration Office to help determine validity of fellowship requests.
• Help maintain accurate resources for Center Coordinators to assist with fellowship processing.
• Assist with running and organizing reports related to fellows as needed.
• Responsible for reviewing and ensuring accuracy of fellows’ hiring, job changes, and payment requests submitted by Center Coordinators.

Temporary Employee Processing

• Review and approve temporary employee and Less than Half-Time employee hiring and extension requests submitted by Department Coordinators to ensure proper classification and compliance of fellowships.
• As part of review process, ensure PeopleSoft paperwork is accurate before submitting to the Office of Financial Services for processing.
• Help maintain accurate resources for Department Coordinators to assist with temp/LHT processing.
• Run reports to monitor compliance.

Leaves of Absence

• Conduct intakes and process approved leaves of absences for eligible employees.
• Partner with Lincoln Financial and Central Payroll to ensure accurate employment status, payment processing, and absence balances for employees on leave.
• Maintain compliant leave of absence files according to law and university policy.

Other Departmental Support

• Collaborate with HR Business partners to maintain knowledge of designated departments’ workforce construction, goals, and challenges.
  • This includes the departments’ programs, general funding sources, operational timelines, etc.
• Pull regular workforce reports to support designated departments.

Other Duties

• Support planning and coordination of HR-sponsored events.
• Coordinate and send out the biweekly HR Update to HKS staff.
• Partner with HR colleagues on special projects as they arise.

Basic Qualifications:

Three or more years of experience in administrative support or program/project coordination. 

Note: A complete application must include a cover letter.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated attention to detail with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, senior leaders, and non-HR staff 

• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with sound judgment and discretion 

• Strong analytical and technical aptitude, including basic math skills and experience working with data, databases, or interconnected systems 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (intermediate to advanced preferred), with a willingness to further develop technical skills through training 

• Interest in and enthusiasm for building a career in Human Resources, with prior HR experience considered a plus

• 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
• Other Information: This position offers a hybrid work schedule with a required minimum of three days in-person on our campus in Cambridge, MA.
• Important application instructions: A complete application must include a cover letter.

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 055. 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.