Executive Assistant/Faculty Assistant
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
Harvard Kennedy School has an immediate opening for a benefits-eligible, 35 hours/week Faculty and Executive Assistant to support a renowned academic, serving as a liaison to faculty, fellows, staff, students and important external contacts.
The ideal candidate will perform a wide range of complex administrative and support duties in a timely and accurate manner. This candidate must be proactive in problem-solving; able to multitask; and have high-level communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills. This candidate must have the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders including students, faculty, donors and prominent individuals and organizations with tact and diplomacy. A high level of maturity and good judgment are essential to this role. The position requires working independently and performing a wide range of complex and confidential administrative and clerical support duties. The position also requires knowledge of University and departmental policies and procedures
Responsibilities for this position will include (but are not limited to):
Providing a wide range of complex office administration and support to a renowned faculty member
Managing complex calendars, coordinating high-level meetings and international travel arrangements; Reviewing, assessing, routing, answering, and monitoring follow up action steps on correspondence
Serving as the main public representative of the professor and handling general inquiries by email and over the telephone
Managing logistics for occasional small events and conferences, including sending invitations, booking rooms, creating agendas, coordinating schedules, and arranging catering
Booking travel, processing reimbursements, paying invoices; Monitoring budgets including tracking expenditures and providing reports. May prepare spreadsheets for budgets, grants or contracts, including tracking and maintaining expenditures and reconciling accounts
Providing complete course support, working with Faculty and Teaching Assistants, creating course Canvas websites, procuring readings, printing hand-outs
Providing other office support including: composing and editing letters, memoranda, and reports, answering correspondences, maintaining office supplies, coordinating maintenance of physical space and equipment
The successful candidate will part of a collaborative faculty support environment and be involved in the broader Harvard Kennedy School community.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in program coordination and/or office administration. Demonstrated prior experience providing high level administrative support and complex project coordination responsibilities
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally with a focus on social science.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
Ability to meet tight deadlines in a fast paced, high-energy and constantly changing environment
Demonstrated intermediate skill level with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Position requires adaptability, flexibility and the ability to multitask while maintaining excellent attention to detail
Successful candidate must be highly motivated, detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and a positive attitude
Additional Information
- Appointment End Date: This is a 35 hours/week, benefits-eligible, term appointment for six months (late October 2025, through late April 2026).
- 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
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 054. 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.