Director, Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection

Company Description

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.

Job Description

The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) seeks a visionary, collaborative, and innovative Director of the Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection. The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and persuader, skilled at engaging a wide range of stakeholders. They will possess strategic vision, adaptability, and independent problem-solving abilities, and demonstrate a commitment to mission-driven work. This leadership role will guide the development, implementation, and assessment of programs and initiatives to enhance belonging and full participation for all, cultivate a shared sense of community, and enrich connection across the school’s students, faculty, and staff. The HKS Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection (OBCC) serves as a school-wide resource, working closely with school leadership, core departments, and research centers to:

• Promote belonging by ensuring that every member of the HKS community has access to—and can participate fully in—everything Harvard has to offer;
• Foster a pluralistic and inclusive community rooted in shared values;
• Facilitate meaningful and productive engagement across difference, both for those on campus and by forging connections to people and communities who are not well represented in our community.

The Director will champion efforts to build relevant skills and facilitate candid and constructive conversations that enable people to communicate with openness, honesty, and understanding across different backgrounds, viewpoints, and perspectives. Reporting into the Office of the Dean, the Director will play a key role in cultivating a supportive, vibrant, and welcoming environment for all members of the HKS community.

The Director will supervise a team of two and in addition, will offer leadership and guidance to teams and other staff to achieve project outcomes without having direct supervisory responsibility. Key Responsibilities will include:

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Develop and implement a strategic vision and operational plan for belonging, community, and connection.
• Serve as a resource to students, faculty, and staff, and partner with departments, research centers, and student organizations on programs and initiatives.
• Advise leadership on trends and practices related to campus life, dialogue, and community engagement.
• Work closely with university and school leadership and coordinate relevant activities across the institution.
• Contribute thought leadership to university-wide initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders across the university to co-create programming that supports full participation and cultivates shared spaces and experiences.

Promoting Belonging

• Develop or promote initiatives that actively foster belonging and connection among all community members—including students, staff, and faculty.
• Provide collaboration and support to appropriate lead departments in advancing recruitment initiatives designed to attract and retain students, faculty, and staff.
• Provide substantial input into the design and execution of orientation (for students) and onboarding (for faculty and staff) activities, ensuring a strong introduction to the university community.
• Serve as a resource for individual community members and student groups seeking to enhance belonging and full participation of all.
• Provide support, leadership, and collaboration for community-led efforts to promote full participation of all
• Lead regular assessments of belonging to identify concerns and make recommendations for improvement.
• Support educational efforts of processes related to NDAB, Title IX and Title VI and partner with leaders and coordinators on related education initiatives.

Fostering Community

• Articulate, foster, and promote shared community values, including openness and pluralism.
• Working with faculty and staff, drive co-curricular programming to model and reinforce community values across the entire academic year.
• Partner with student groups, student government, and other stakeholders in advancing a shared sense of community.
• Lead a faculty/staff/student committee that envisions and executes community-building activities across the school.

Facilitating Connection

• Support the Candid and Constructive Conversations (CCC) Initiative, delivering regular programming and education that fosters engagement across difference.
• Work with the school and research centers to foster external collaborations that expand the range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives informing teaching, research, and public engagement.
• Build skills and facilitate opportunities for meaningful and productive engagement on- and off-campus.
• Coordinate with the HKS leadership team, university-level leadership, and related activities at other schools to further connection and collaborative initiatives.

Program Development & Oversight

• Oversee, design, and assess programs, trainings, and events that build skills to promote candid, meaningful, and productive engagement across difference, working with faculty where appropriate.
• Facilitate and support conversations that encourage openness, honesty, and understanding among people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Lead and supervise staff within the Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection, fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and innovation.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• At least 10 years of increasingly leadership-level experience in higher education, mission-driven organizations or related settings, including leadership in community building roles, student affairs, or campus and community engagement.
• Experience leading and managing staff.
• Experience in assessing organizational climate and developing and implementing programs related to belonging and community.

Additional Qualifications

While the following skills are preferred, we welcome applicants with a range of experiences and backgrounds.

• Commitment to and expertise in fostering a culture of belonging, respect, and inclusion.
• Extensive experience working with diverse student populations, including graduate/professional students.
• Strong understanding of political and organizational dynamics in higher education or other complex organizations.
• Experience collaborating with a range of stakeholders (example: students, faculty, staff, alumni, external communities).
• In-depth knowledge of the interplay among academic freedom, open debate, and inclusivity, including viewpoint diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence without direct authority in decentralized environments.
• Skilled in mediation, conflict resolution, and facilitating candid, constructive conversations.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations and policies (e.g., Title IX, Title VI).
• Proven success launching and managing projects, partnerships, and inclusion initiatives.
• Experience with data analysis, program assessment, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Training in restorative practices, intergroup dialogue, or conflict mediation is preferred.

Additional Information

Referrals, recommendations, or suggestions for this role can be sent to: ExecutiveSearches@harvard.edu.

More About the Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection

The Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection is a school-wide resource designed to promote a constructive and inclusive environment at Harvard Kennedy School. The office aims to ensure that people from all backgrounds can fully participate in school life, foster shared values and community, and strengthen skills for open and meaningful engagement across differences.

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). 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 060. 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, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, 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.