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Job Description
The Institutional Data Initiative (IDI) is a new research center working to advance society’s relationship with knowledge by expanding access to, and deepening our understanding of, the data that underpins AI. By collaborating with library, government, and academic institutions to publish their knowledge collections as AI training sets, IDI seeks to 1) empower those institutions and the cultures they represent, 2) build a foundational pipeline for academic inquiry of AI, and 3) advance the state of the art for all builders of AI systems.
IDI’s work spans the AI data ecosystem—from digitization, data structuring, and metadata synthesis, to safety and security analysis, all the way through to benchmarking and the development of ethical and governance frameworks. Institutional collaboration forms the gateway to this work and IDI places a particular emphasis on opportunities with institutions that expand the cultural breadth of knowledge represented in the building blocks of AI.
At its core, IDI is a data practice around which other interdisciplinary work is convened. While theory and analysis are critical components of IDI’s work, our impact is a direct factor of our ability to ship novel data. As such, IDI’s workflows resemble those of a product studio. Our projects are time-bound and scopes are driven by ambition within time constraints. Our team structure is relatively flat and each member is expected to bring vision for their work and drive it through to completion. We prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration with academic contributors, both internal and external, as essential work that prevents the commodification of the data we help to publish.
The Program Director will support the Executive Director and oversee the day-to-day strategy and operations of the initiative. The Program Director's goal will be to facilitate high-throughput research workflows by implementing and overseeing minimal organizational structures. The person in this position will navigate a variety of complex institutional structures and relationships, both at Harvard and at collaborating institutions, in order to ensure the initiative can work efficiently and effectively.The Program Director will be tasked with managing items both big and small—from developing new opportunities to acting as an extension and amplifier of the Executive Director’s capacity.
The Program Director must have a strong interest in IDI’s mission and while tech experience is a plus, an ability to triage tasks and ensure their completion, develop relationships that clear the way for execution, and bring strong but flexible vision is more important than a deep knowledge of AI technologies.
In addition to IDI’s internal stakeholders, the person in this role will help build a community around IDI’s work to enable outside collaborators—fellow technologists, academics, students, cultural stakeholders—to expand our capabilities, capacity, and perspectives. IDI operates within Harvard and alongside the Library Innovation Lab, the Berkman Klein Center, and the Applied Social Media Lab; engaging these communities, among others, is critical to delivering on our mission.
As a Program Director, you will:
- Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement the initiative’s strategic vision and priorities and to communicate direction to staff.
- Assist with selection and development of new projects, activities, and initiatives.
- Assist with hiring and managing teams across the initiative.
- Design and manage operational processes for the initiative – including staff management and meetings, information flow, reporting, and resource planning.
- Participate in financial management, budget planning, and fundraising, including development activities and helping to generate proposals for future programs.
- Build, promote, and strengthen internal and external collaboration across staff and senior-level stakeholders.
- Contribute to decision-making across initiative’s leadership including between the Faculty Director and Executive Director.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and at least eight years of relevant work experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
- A desire to create public-interest impact on AI and an interest in learning about the underlying technologies.
- Proven success managing complex and strategic efforts across organizations.
- Experience supporting and amplifying an executive partner.
- Experience managing internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience managing product teams, ideally technical.
- Ability to leverage networks in public interest technology.
- A track record of shipping projects, especially in high-velocity organizations.
Additional Information
Appointment End Date: This is a two-year term appointment with potential for renewal, subject to funding and departmental need.
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:
Given the multidisciplinary nature of our work, we encourage a short cover letter to explain how your career trajectory and interests align with our work and mission.
This position works a combination of on-campus and remote work based on business needs and manager approval. The opportunity for 100% remote work is available for applicants who live more than 50 miles from the Harvard Law School campus. Please review the Work Format Details below for more information pertaining to remote work.
Candidates residing in other states are also encouraged to apply, though would become employees of a third-party external payroll company rather than Harvard University.
Travel is required for quarterly on-site meetings. Occasional travel for conferences and events as needed.
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 060. 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.