E-Discovery Project Coordinator

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 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.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Harvard University’s Office of the General Counsel seeks an experienced E-Discovery Project Coordinator to lead e-discovery workflows, administer and manage legal holds, execute defensible data collections across Microsoft 365, Google Vault, and related data sources, and manage relationships with vendors. Candidates must have experience with e-discovery and legal hold software and processes. You will partner with Harvard’s IT department and outside counsel to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective discovery.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Administer and manage e-discovery, including case management, custodians, legal holds, data collections, review sets, and exports
• Define and enforce standard operating procedures, best practices, and quality controls across the EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model) workflow
• Interpret and apply ESI orders and Protective Orders; standardize processes and best practices to ensure proper compliance and defensibility across all matters
• Understand data breach risks and response procedures; coordinate with Legal, IT Security, and Compliance teams to mitigate risks, ensure proper handling of sensitive data during eDiscovery, and support incident response efforts when necessary.
• Draft, issue, track, and release legal hold notices; monitor acknowledgments and compliance; maintain audit-ready logs
• Scope, plan, track, and execute targeted and large-scale data collections (Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Purview audit/search, endpoints/M365 apps, Google Vault, Dropbox, as well as problem solving for other data source collections)
• Perform searches, queries, de-duplication, filtering, and early case assessment; manage exports and transfer to outside counsel, e-discovery vendors, and/or document review platforms
• Collaborate with outside counsel and vendors to implement efficient workflows, proactively identify and mitigate risk, apply quality control, and address technical challenges to make data discoverable, viewable and useful
• Coordinate with Harvard’s IT Department on data security, retention, and information governance settings
• Maintain chain-of-custody and associated documentation; support defensibility and audit requirements
• Manage third-party vendor and outside counsel interactions; track deadlines and budgets and regularly communicate with legal team regarding anticipated budget overages
• Support privilege and confidentiality workflows; assist with production specifications and quality control
• Contribute to overall process improvements, e-discovery playbooks, and metrics
• Other duties as determined by business need

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• 3–5+ years of hands-on e-discovery experience with Microsoft Purview eDiscovery, Google Vault, Exterro, or similar
• Proven experience administering legal holds and managing enterprise data collections in Exterro, Microsoft 365, Google Vault, and other data sources
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 data sources (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams), Google Vault and Purview audit/search;
• Experience exporting and preparing data for review platforms (e.g., Relativity, Accelerate, Reveal, Everlaw or similar)
• Experience with data analytics, TAR (technology-assisted review), and a variety of e-discovery platforms

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong understanding of EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model), FRCP (Federal Rules of Civil Procedure), and defensible preservation/collection standards
• Excellent documentation, project management, and stakeholder communication skills
• Ability to handle sensitive data discreetly and maintain chain-of-custody

Certificates and Licenses:

• Relativity Certified Administrator (RCA)
• Certified eDiscovery Specialist (CEDS, ACEDS)
• Certified eDiscovery Project Manager (CeDPM)

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 37.5 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable):
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information:
• Meaningful work on complex, interesting matters
• Collaborative legal, IT, and compliance teams
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development

• How to apply: submit your resume and a brief summary of relevant experience. Include examples of cases/projects, scope, and tools used—and please anonymize non-public, confidential information

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 055. 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.