Director for Student Academic Affairs
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Why join Harvard Law School?
Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.
Job Description
The Director for Student Academic Affairs will have primary responsibility for the oversight of new and existing JD academic advising services to over 1700 JD students and related academic advising programs. This role functions as a subject matter expert in legal education and student academic advising and in HLS’s curriculum and academic programs and policies. Provides leadership and serves as primary strategist in academic advising at Harvard Law School (HLS), developing and leading multi-department initiatives and creating academic advising program and materials. Establishes reporting to track trends, yields, and other metrics. In collaboration with others, ensures compliance with ABA Standards and HLS policies.
As Director for Student Academic Affairs, you will:
- Develop and implement an integrated academic advising strategy across HLS in collaboration with key departments and student organizations;
- Create and develop new initiatives, programming, workshops, and materials to enhance JD student experience through academic support.
- Oversee and coordinate existing advising services and resources currently available across the school.
- Identify and make recommendations for improvements within existing programs, policies, and process.
- Advise and assist student organizations with academic advising programming, providing guidance and mentorship to student leaders and peer academic advisors.
- Coordinate referrals for students to other departments as appropriate, and advising on Berkeley Exchange, joint degrees, and HLS visit out programs.
- Create and regularly update web materials related to JD advising services and programs.
- Oversee development and improvements in academic programs, including joint degrees, 1L reading groups, writing prizes, and programs of study.
- Support the implementation of new academic programs, regularly review programs, and recommend policy updates to leadership.
- Participate in annual, ongoing academic programming and related activities.
- Create and regularly update web materials related to academic programs.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
- J.D. Degree
- Leadership experience in an educational setting.
- Ability to develop and operationalize a complex strategic plan
- Demonstrated results developing and leading cross-departmental initiatives
- Strong written and oral communication skills necessary,
- Organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with advising and course/program development in an educational setting.
- Ability to work independently and contribute as a member of a team.
- A commitment to education and mentoring.
Additional Information
Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-Time
Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
Other Information:
All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.
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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, 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.