Director of Strategic Initiatives
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 Graduate School of Education?
The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.
Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.
Job Description
Job Summary:
This role will manage the school’s non-degree innovation agenda, including launching new certificates, micro-credentials, and short-form learning products to extend the reach reach and maximize impact for a growing diverse, global audience. this individual will bring a nimble, entrepreneurial mindset, leverage emerging technologies (including AI), creative problem solving, and innovative approaches to design, test, and scale mission-aligned academic offerings. This role advances cross-school alignment and disciplined execution by establishing portfolio strategy, market fit, and operating models that connect faculty and center expertise to field needs. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, project management, and analytic skills.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
HGSE Unbound and Non-Degree Innovation Strategy (65%)
Serve as a core member of an agile, entrepreneurial team piloting multiple approaches to engage new and diverse learners through innovative formats, modalities, and content that complement HGSE’s degree programs and professional education footprint.
- Translate portfolio vision and strategic concepts into project plans with clear, actionable deliverables and milestone-based decisions that guide progress from discovery through pilot to scale.
- Collaborate school-wide with faculty and research centers across HGSE to generate, assess, and co-develop pilot ideas aligned to portfolio goals; determine value propositions and create measurable success metrics.
- Design and manage rapid, iterative pilot tests, employing learning loops to quickly assess and adapt approaches using user research, A/B testing, and learning analytics where applicable.
- Identify and expand test market opportunities by leveraging robust internal and external networks, including community and industry partners in coordination with HGSE’s partner and field-engagement strategy.
- Synthesize and communicate project learnings and data-driven insights to HGSE leadership through reports, presentations, and briefings tailored to faculty governance, donors, and external partners.
- Build the non-degree innovation portfolio roadmap, including stackable certificates, micro-credentials, and modular content pathways tied to priority domains. Pair these pilots with go-to-market, pricing, and distribution strategies.
- Contribute to the development of sustainable, scalable models for future Unbound and non-degree offerings aligned with HGSE’s mission and the school’s financial model.
Strategic Advisory Support (25%)
- Serve as an advisor to the Chief Communications and Engagement Officer and the Senior Director of Communications.
- Map and advance strategic initiatives using social impact frameworks, developing clear and actionable implementation roadmaps.
- Lead project management associated with these initiatives, with a focus on change management, process improvement, and transparent communication to ensure effective execution.
- Drive data-informed decision making, champion strengths-based approaches, and identify opportunities to enhance cross-departmental alignment and organizational value.
- Foster cross-school coordination and streamline workflows by designing and implementing structures that strengthen communication and collaboration.
Reach Every Reader Administrative Leadership (10%)
- Oversee critical administrative functions for the Reach Every Reader initiative, including financial and grant management, to ensure compliance, reporting accuracy, and efficient administrative operations.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressively advancing experience in project management, program administration, or strategic initiatives, preferably within an academic or nonprofit environment.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement pilot projects and evaluate results using data-driven analyses and participant feedback from pilot to scale.
- Experience leading organizational or programmatic strategy development and refinement.
- Creative, entrepreneurial, and growth-oriented mindset; skilled in leveraging innovative models and emerging technologies (including AI, digital platforms, and learning analytics).
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills for diverse stakeholder audiences.
- Proven experience improving processes, streamlining workflows, and promoting organizational efficiency.
- Strong track record of stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and building consensus across diverse teams in highly matrixed environments.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing contexts, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Familiarity with higher education environments and/or social impact models strongly preferred.
Additional Information
- Appointment End Date: 1 year from date of hire
- 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 and 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 059. 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.