Strategic Initiatives 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 Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Why Join HDSI?

At HDSI and Harvard University, you’ll join a diverse community committed to advancing knowledge and cross-sector impact. You’ll gain experience working at the intersection of academia and industry while contributing to research development and programming that shapes the future of data science.

The Harvard Data Science Initiative (HDSI) supports cutting-edge research in data science methodology and applications across Harvard’s schools and disciplines, and fosters vibrant connections between faculty, students, and industry partners. HDSI advances interdisciplinary collaboration that addresses global challenges where data science plays a central role.

The Strategic Initiatives Coordinator will support HDSI’s external engagement efforts by driving strategic research partnerships, business development, and data science programming. Acting as a vital bridge between academia and the commercial sector, the coordinator will help translate complex research into actionable industry alliances. Working under the direction of HDSI leadership and faculty advisers, this role involves preparing targeted evidence syntheses and scientific briefs to scope sponsored research concepts, consultations, and collaborative sprints.

To ensure the long-term success of these partnerships, the coordinator will actively manage alliance workflows, track contractual and data-use obligations, and coordinate directly with the Office for Technology Development to identify intellectual property and support patent applications. Furthermore, the role entails designing stakeholder programming, executing events, and maintaining accurate relationship data within Salesforce. This early-career position is ideal for a recent college graduate with at least one year of professional experience (including internships) who is excited about data science, technology transfer, and collaborative problem-solving.

This is a benefits-eligible, one year term appointment with possibility of extension,  contingent on funding and performance.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Industry Alliance Management

1. At the direction of HDSI leadership, maintain relationships with principal investigators and industry partners.
2. Support productive academic-industry research projects by establishing approachable, trusting, responsive, and collaborative relationships with Harvard faculty and industry partners.
3. Implement workflows and processes to track contractual obligations outlined in research agreements and support timely follow-through.
4. Work with colleagues in the Office for Technology Development to identify intellectual property arising from industry projects, ensure timely review of publications, and assist in the coordination of filing patent applications.

Research & Business Development Support

• Conduct research to identify potential industry partners, collaborators, and sector trends relevant to HDSI’s mission.
• Prepare concise question briefs and targeted evidence syntheses for faculty review, summarizing the question, relevant findings, and information needed for further discussion.
• Map relevant Harvard expertise, research activity, and related Alliance work to help identify potential contributors, complementary efforts, and opportunities for further inquiry.
• Assist with outreach and engagement activities to deepen relationships with companies and organizations.
• Maintain HDSI’s Salesforce instance, ensuring that accurate engagement data is entered regularly and available in well-designed reports.

Program Design & Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to design data science-focused programming (workshops, seminars, demos, and networking events).
• Coordinate faculty and scientific discussions, prepare agendas and background materials, and support cross-team communication, project milestones, and shared deliverables.
• Record Alliance-related faculty assessments, discussion outcomes, decisions, action owners, and next steps; track follow-up and document resulting research pathways, including questions deferred or not advanced.
• Help faculty advisers and HDSI leadership scope options for consultations, scientific exchanges, workshops or sprints, student capstones, and sponsored research concepts by organizing objectives, participants, potential outputs, and next steps.

Event Planning & Execution

• Plan, schedule, and execute events such as industry advisory meetings, public seminars, speaker series, and partner workshops.
• Provide logistical support, including venue arrangements, communications, attendee management, and post-event follow-up.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with colleagues across HDSI and Harvard to ensure smooth coordination, clear communication, and timely execution of initiatives, consistent with applicable confidentiality, data-use, governance, and agreement requirements.

Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

• Three or more years of related experience. Education beyond high school may count towards experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., data science, public policy, business, or related disciplines) strongly preferred
• Demonstrated interest in data science, industry engagement, higher education, or related fields.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience supporting events, programming, outreach, or research activities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Comfort engaging with faculty, industry representatives, and students.
• Ability to review background materials and summarize evidence and open questions clearly for different audiences.

• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity
• Other Information:
  • This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period. 
  • This is a benefits-eligible, one year term appointment with possibility of extension,  contingent on funding and performance.
• Interview process: Our interview process may include both virtual interviews via Zoom and in-person interviews. Selected finalists may be asked to participate in an in-person interview.  

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 054. 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.