Strategic Advisor for Educational Initiatives

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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:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Strategic Advisor for Educational Initiatives leads the design and growth of Opportunity Insights’ K–12 and early-college education strategy, spanning research, program design, and partnership development. The role conducts landscape analyses of how OI research is used in schools and of comparable higher-ed–to–K–12 outreach models; designs and manages educator cohorts and the Opportunity Fellows Teacher Fellowship, including a year-long curriculum and a four-day summer institute; and collaborates with an Educational Partnerships Advisory Group to shape and refine strategic direction. The position is responsible for adapting and expanding OI curricular resources for high school and community college contexts; creating assessment, documentation, and communication tools to track and strengthen impact; and building external partnerships (e.g., with Ed Equity Lab, Modern States, NEON, school districts, and networks) that support large-scale offerings such as an open-access statistics course and other direct-to-student opportunities.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Program research and design:

• Conduct landscape analysis of current uses of OI research in high school (HS) contexts across the country, building on existing school partners and historical points of contact.
• Interview existing school partners about their experiences with OI curricular materials to identify patterns of engagement and promising directions for further development.
• Conduct preliminary landscape analysis of higher-ed–to–K–12 outreach models (e.g., Challenge Success, CS50), focusing on inputs, impact, and analogous use cases.
• Research pipeline engagement opportunities for HS and community college (CC) students (e.g., early-career teacher training, summer enrichment, programs for underrepresented students).
• Identify key partners, platforms, and sequencing to advance the OI ed strategy and establish early proof points across independent, public, charter, and CC contexts.
• Build a concept note and initial strategic action plan for expanding access to OI research and materials for HS and college students, including impact models, timelines, potential partners, and anticipated challenges.

Develop and Manage Cohorts, Fellowships and Professional Learning Opportunities:

• Design and launch a cohort of eds. committed to using OI curric. resources in their schools (2025–2026 academic year).
• Provide ongoing curric. and pedagogical feedback to cohort members and convene online collaboration and reflection sessions as needed.
• Lead and support the Opportunity Fellows Teacher Fellowship program, including recruitment, selection, communication, and year-long engagement.
• Develop a year-long syllabus, curric., and impact plan for Teacher Fellows, with emphasis on ongoing mtgs., school-year support, and leadership dev.
• Plan and design a four-day professional dev. conference for Fellows, including research into analogous PD models and dev. of an experiential program.
• Develop teacher training opportunities to build a cadre of educators able to teach OI’s materials and approach.

Management of Outreach Partnerships and Advisory Group:

• Maintain ongoing collab. with the Educational Partnerships Advisory Group (educators and nonprofit leaders), leveraging their strategic guidance on curric. and pedagogical initiatives.
• Lead regular virtual mtgs. with the Advisory Group and coordinate their involvement in outreach related to current and upcoming OI ed efforts.
• Continue outreach to school districts, nonprofits, and educational orgs. for both short-term recruitment and long-term partnership building.
• Initiate and plan collabs. with external orgs. such as EdEquity Lab, the College Board, charter networks, independent schools, the National Education Opportunity Network, and others.

Curriculum Development:

• Provide feedback on how to adapt existing course materials (e.g., HBSO course, online materials) for HS and CC audiences.
• Lead early-stage dev. of EdEquity-aligned course materials for a potential Spring 2026 launch, in collab. with the OI team and the teacher learning community.
• Continue to build out the library of OI curric. resources using EdX/HBSO materials and Ec50 recs.; create orientation modules and navigation guides as needed.
• Develop introductory “Unit Zero” materials for the Opportunity Atlas for Fellows, in collab. with OI colleagues and the Advisory Group.
• Articulate a pedagogical vision statement for OI cohort and partnership work to guide resource creation, summer PD design, and ongoing teacher support.

Program Evaluation, Documentation and Communication:

• Design documentation protocols to track cohort-related work within schools for both teachers and OI.
• Develop preliminary assessment tools (e.g., pre/post questionnaires) to help cohorts measure impact and build a more complete picture of outcomes.
• Create and manage communication tools/platforms for cohort members to collaborate, share resources, and seek peer support.
• Develop tools that help educators align OI materials with state standards and AP curricula (pilot with summer cohorts; longer-term goal of public release).

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's or PhD in Education, Social Sciences, or related field
• 5-7 years of experience with Project Management, Curriculum Design, Pedagogical Initiatives
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong commitment to continuous process improvement

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 17.5 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:

This is a part-time, one-year term position with possibility of renewal. 

All final offers will be made by FAS HR.

Opportunity Inisghts is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization based at Harvard University and directed by Raj Chetty, John Friedman, and Nathaniel Hendren. We conduct scientific research using “big data” on how to improve upward mobility and work collaboratively with local stakeholders to translate these research findings into policy change. We also train the next generation of social scientists and practitioners to improve opportunity for all.

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.