Outreach Manager, Strategic Data Project
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Job Description
At the Strategic Data Project (SDP), we believe that talent is the engine of transformation in public education. Housed at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University (CEPR), SDP is a national initiative that strengthens the use of data in education by connecting forward-thinking organizations with the analytic talent and training they need. As SDP continues to expand—having trained over 600 fellows and 400 data strategists across hundreds of organizations—the Outreach Manager’s work is fundamental to strengthening our national network and deepening the influence of evidence-based decision making in education.
CEPR helps education leaders use evidence—not assumptions—to improve student outcomes. By producing accessible research, building capacity, and fostering a community of practice, CEPR shares what works—and what doesn’t—in education. Learn more at cepr.harvard.edu.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
(20%) Data Fellowship Recruitment Responsibilities
• Leads and manages recruiting of fellows and partners across various fellowship models and sectors (PK-12; Higher Education). This includes:
- Developing and managing a project plan for fellow recruitment (long term and short term). This includes a communications plan, a timeline for key deliverables, and a solid list of sources for recruitment that is maintained and actionable.
- Posting Fellow position openings on job boards with graduate school career placement centers, think tanks, and other organizations with likely Fellow candidates. Fully develop pipelines for recruiting diverse pools of candidates.
- Conduct targeted candidate recruitment through LinkedIn, leveraging resume books, direct communication to faculty, and conducting “coffee chats” with interested candidates.
- Refining and analyzing the recruitment source list based on responses from quality applicants; analyze data collected in database to understand success of recruitment plan.
- Hosting networking events (local and national, virtual and in-person) that will attract applicants to the Fellowship.
- Leveraging the SDP alumni network to identify strong talent.
(55%) Data Fellowship Selection Responsibilities
• Overseeing Fellow application and selection process, using our online QuickBase and SMapply systems, and maintain communication with applicants throughout the process
• Leading and participating in Fellow recruitment, interview, and review process, including coordinating and training reviewers
• Developing training materials for selection staff, including internal SDP staff, SDP Fellowship alumni, and other external collaborators
• Ensuring communication between Agency leadership and SDP that supports appropriate “matching” of Fellows to agencies, including collaborating with the Associate Director of Outreach and Partnerships to facilitate matches of finalist Fellow candidates to partner agencies, communicating with partner agencies about their matches, and coaching candidates
• Supporting the selection of agency nominees, inviting them to complete applications once nominated, conducting one-on-one phone screens, and tracking status
• Managing communication with Harvard offices and partner contacts to bring partnership agreements/contracts through to full execution
(15%) Outreach for Other SDP Programs and Initiatives
• Develop outreach materials, and strategies in coordination with communications team for non-fellowship education program offerings (e.g., SDP Institute, new offerings)
• Guide Outreach Coordinator through recruitment efforts for program attendance at short-term SDP training events and workshops, customizing existing resources and models to meet the needs of custom trainings
• Develop selection processes and systems for new offerings
• Support creation and promotion of SDP initiatives and successes on the website and through media channels, including LinkedIn and the SDP blog, using platforms such as Canva, MailChimp, and Buffer.
• Coordinate networkwide invites
• Oversee Program Coordinator’s list management, including adding recruits to SDP’s CRM, ensuring mailing lists are up-to-date, and supporting with contact list purchases as needed
• Measure the success of programming and drive continuous improvements.
• Evaluating our processes and using data and analytics to understand the model and measure performance year over year, in collaboration with the Outreach Team
(10%) Cross-Team Collaboration and Participation
• Work as part of a team that supports the success of the SDP team via fellowship and agency recruitment, partnership management, and wide dissemination and adoption of tools/resources generated by the fellowship team
• Attend education programs and events and support implementation as needed.
• Contribute to SDP team 12-month planning process
Qualifications
• B.A.
• 4 yrs. professional experience in the education sector and/or in professional recruiting or admissions.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• People management experience.
Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF document. Any applicant wishing to be considered for this position should indicate that they meet all the basic requirements in either the cover letter or resume.
This position is a term appointment for one year from the date of hire, with a strong possibility of continuation. The position is remote position, however occasional travel is required (10-15%) for workshops, recruitment events, retreats etc.
Additional Qualifications:
Demonstrated commitment to mission of transforming the use of data in education to improve student achievement. Strong public speaking/presentation skills. Project management skills. Strong attention to detail. Experience with marketing or communications a plus.
Experience working with education data and/or education research preferred. Advanced degree preferred. Team or staff management skills a plus. Specific experience and track record for recruiting and placing talented and sought-after professionals. Experience developing recruiting pipelines and networks and in evaluating the quality of these pipelines based on yield and other factors. Comfortable being the face of SDP and CEPR in a variety of ways and venues, including social media platforms. Experience and satisfaction working on a cross-functional team. Intrepid pursuer of contacts and ingenuity/creativity in how to develop and formalize a newly emerging profession. Ability to accurately assess problems and develop solutions, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Additional Information
- Appointment End Date: 1 year from the Date of Hire
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 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 and Education
Work Format Details
This position is eligible for 100% remote work. Employees may work from any 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). At the discretion of the hiring department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on-site at a Harvard location. 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 057. 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.