Senior Data and Applications Architect

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 the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one 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

The Senior Data and Applications Architect will serve as a technical lead in designing and developing robust, modern data-driven solutions that support the academic, research, and administrative missions of Harvard Kennedy School. This role is responsible for architecting, integrating, and optimizing data platforms and applications across diverse systems—including Salesforce, cloud services, and on-premises environments—while collaborating with distributed teams across the university.
This position serves as a strategic contributor to HKS's data and application architecture, responsible for developing secure, scalable solutions that connect multiple platforms and systems. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise, strong communication skills, and the ability to work across a complex technology landscape managed by various university departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement modern data architectures, integrations, and application solutions that span multiple platforms and technologies.
• Build and maintain robust data pipelines and transformation workflows across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.
• Develop and support integrations between enterprise systems including data lakes, warehouses, and third-party APIs—ensuring performance, reliability, and data consistency.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to gather requirements and translate business needs into scalable, secure, and maintainable technical solutions.
• Architect and document enterprise data models and schemas to support analytics, reporting, and operational systems.
• Participate in and support day-to-day operational tasks, including data job monitoring, log review, backup verification, and incident response related to applications, integrations, and data infrastructure.
• Support and enhance monitoring frameworks to ensure system availability, job success rates, and early warning for data or integration issues.
• Lead or contribute to application and API development efforts, including integration of SaaS platforms and university-specific tools.
• Ensure adherence to best practices in data governance, metadata management, security, and privacy (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR).
• Work in close partnership with other developers, data analysts, system administrators, and vendors to deliver cross-functional solutions.
• Promote reusable architecture patterns, code libraries, and integration frameworks that support continuous improvement and modernization.
• Participate in code reviews, architectural planning, and related activities to maintain high-quality technical output.
• Maintain technical documentation for systems, integrations, and data flows to support transparency and long-term maintainability.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Harvard, Higher Education, and Industry.
• Provide end user consultation as needed.

Working Conditions:

• Normal office environment with flexible hybrid work options. Occasional after-hours work may be required for deployments, data migrations, or critical support.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• 7 years of professional experience in data architecture, application development, or systems integration.
• Proven experience developing integrations and data workflows involving Salesforce and other major platforms (e.g., ERP, CRM, LMS, data warehouse).
• Strong expertise in relational and non-relational databases (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL).
• Proficiency with modern cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and tools such as Snowflake, dbt, or Azure Data Factory.
• Experience developing in at least two modern programming or scripting languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript, .NET, Java, PowerShell).
• Familiarity with API development, containerization (e.g., Docker), and DevOps/CI-CD pipelines.
• Strong knowledge of data modeling, integration patterns, and enterprise architecture principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Hands-on experience with Salesforce platform development and integration, including working with Apex, APIs, managed packages, and data model customization.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• Salesforce certifications (e.g., Platform Developer I/II, Integration Architect) preferred.
• Experience with BI/reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Looker.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or public sector IT environments.
• Knowledge of event-driven or service-oriented architecture (SOA), middleware, and messaging systems.
• Familiarity with Git, Jira, Agile/Scrum development methodologies.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Additional Information

• 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 058. 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.