Director, Personal Enrichment Programs and Assistant Dean, Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement
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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.
About DCE
The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) comprises four academic units serving about 30,000 domestic and international students annually, which allow Harvard to meet the learning needs of intellectually curious and highly motivated students from high school through retirement. Established in 1910, the Harvard Extension School (HES) offers access to Harvard faculty for a diverse community of adult learners, enrolling about 15,000 students. HES offers over 1,000 open enrollment courses — 85 percent of which are accessible online — and provides flexibility through noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate courses, including degrees, certificates, and a premedical program. The Harvard Summer School, founded in 1871, offers around 450 credit and noncredit courses both on the Harvard Campus and online, catering to 10,000 high school, college, and adult learners. Additionally, it offers more than 15 international study abroad programs, hosting up to 300 students each summer. Harvard DCE Professional & Executive Development delivers over 140 noncredit programs annually, reaching more than 3,600 participants through online platforms and its executive development center in Cambridge. The Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement offers about 140 peer-taught courses to approximately 550 active members.
Job Description
Job Summary:
Academic and program leadership over all aspects of Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement and new growth opportunities in Harvard DCE Personal Enrichment.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
The Director, Personal Enrichment Programs and Assistant Dean (D&AD) for the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR) serves as the senior leader of the emerging portfolio of non-credit Personal Enrichment (PE) programs as well as the strategic architect of a distinctive peer-led academic community within the Division of Continuing Education (DCE). Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing, Strategy, and Executive Education Officer, the D&AD is responsible for creating the strategic plan for PE and advancing HILR’s mission to deliver rigorous, inclusive, and socially engaging educational opportunities for older adult learners.
This hands-on position ensures academic excellence by overseeing the participant-developed curriculum, alignment with Harvard’s academic standards, and supporting volunteer-led operations. The D&AD is responsible for supervising and overseeing the daily operations of a compact HILR team to ensure objectives and goals are met efficiently and effectively. Acts as a leader, coach, and point of contact for staff. Also provides guidance and support to Participant Committee Chairs.
Academic and Program Leadership
Oversees the academic quality and integrity of the HILR program by working closely with the Curriculum Committee to ensure a rigorous, engaging curriculum and producing biannual course catalogues. Oversees admissions to ensure policies, practices, and priorities that sustain the peer-learning model, reviewing all application and interview reports, setting capacity for each admission cycle, and guiding the work of the Admissions Committee. Serves as academic liaison to DCE leadership and the broader Harvard community, ensuring alignment with University standards.
Academic Operations
Develops and oversees class schedules for approximately 80 courses per academic term, managing course placements for over 500 participants. Administers classroom allocations across seven classrooms at 34 Concord Avenue. Plans, coordinates, and executes approximately 12 speaker events annually, including sourcing speakers.
Community Engagement and Communications
Fosters a dynamic and inclusive learning environment for over 500 HILR participants. Conducts internal communications and manages community engagement strategies, including writing community emails and event listings, setting policy for the participant website, reviewing, revising, and articulating program policies and instructional resources as needed, and organizing community celebrations. Engages on-site with the Participant community on school days.
Personal Enrichment Portfolio Development and Management
Responsible for setting the strategic growth priorities for the Personal Enrichment portfolio of non-credit programs and coordinating the delivery of new PE programs efficiently leveraging DCE resources and capabilities. Identifies new opportunities, plans for program pilots and proofs of concept, and integration of successes into the portfolio.
Facilities and IT Management
Manages operations at the 34 Concord Avenue campus location, collaborating with internal stakeholders—including Facilities, IT, and Operations—to optimize space utilization and ensure classroom and technology resources are accessible and fully functional. Liaises with Administrative IT regarding the program’s technical and administrative platforms.
Financial Oversight and Fundraising
Manages the unit’s operating budget in collaboration with the DCE Finance Office, with the goal of financial sustainability and responsibility for financial stewardship of HILR. Oversees the internal HILR fundraising campaign, collaborating as needed with DCE Advancement, and ensuring compliance with Harvard guidelines.
Strategic Outreach and Marketing
Works in partnership with DCE Marketing and FAS Communications to attract new applicants and raise awareness of HILR. Represents HILR at events and in communications with internal and external audiences.
Working Conditions:
This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. On campus attendance is required when HILR classes are in session and as needed otherwise. Remote work is permissible at other times. DCE or department may adjust these as necessary or appropriate.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Advanced degree in relevant field.
- Proven supervisor and team management experience.
- Demonstrated commitment to academic integrity and community-building.
- Minimum of 5 years of team leadership experience in a higher education environment.
- Academic curriculum development experience.
- Volunteer engagement experience.
- Strong public speaking and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively supporting and engaging older adult learners.
- Strong strategic thinking skills, high emotional intelligence, and collegial leadership style.
- Ability to be adaptable and flexible when facing ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.
Additional Information
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 9-5pm)
- Compensation Range/Rate: $100K-$125K
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
- Other Information:
- A cover letter is required for consideration.
- All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
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 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.