Associate Dean for Academic Programs

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Why join the Harvard Radcliffe Institute?

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, known colloquially as Harvard Radcliffe Institute, is one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration. We bring together students, scholars, artists, and practitioners to pursue curiosity-driven research, expand human understanding, and grapple with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.

The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute's commitment to women, gender, and society. The Emerging Leaders Program is a youth leadership development program partnering local high school sophomores with Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship.

The Institute’s work is shaped by its history as the former Radcliffe College—a school founded to ensure that the standard of education embodied in Harvard was accessible to women, who were then excluded from the University. But the legacy of Radcliffe College is not simply coeducation at Harvard; it is the recognition that universities will always be greater when they draw wisdom and talent from the widest possible pool.

Take a look at this video to get different staff perspectives on working at Harvard Radcliffe Institute!

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Dean, the Associate Dean for Academic Programs oversees the Radcliffe Institute's four key program departments: Academic Ventures & Engagement (AV&E), the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), the Radcliffe Fellowship Program (FP), and the Schlesinger Library (SL). In close collaboration with the Dean, other senior leaders, Institute and University faculty, and key stakeholders, the Associate Dean ensures that these programs align with institutional priorities, foster strong partnerships, and represent the Institute across the broader Harvard community. Collectively, these programs advance transformative, interdisciplinary ideas and scholarship across the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences, and the professions. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Is a strong manager, intermediary, and thought partner, collaborating with the Dean and Radcliffe’s senior leadership to develop and implement polices, practices, and high-level programmatic initiatives and engagements that advance the Institute’s mission and realize its strategic priorities. 
• Possesses strong practical problem-solving skills and operational expertise in driving strategic priorities.
• Supervises and strategizes with program directors to drive key initiatives to completion, ensuring that the four program departments are aligned with Institute priorities and timetables. 
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with HRI leadership, cross-school partners, and Harvard faculty affiliates.
• Comanages relationships with and facilitates agenda setting for the Faculty Advisory Council, appointed and convened by the Dean and consisting of Radcliffe Faculty Directors, Faculty Advisors, Radcliffe Professors, and other HRI faculty affiliates.
• Is an ambassador for Radcliffe within the University, developing collaborative relationships with colleagues at Harvard College and Harvard’s 12 graduate and professional schools, while strengthening the Institute’s contribution to University priorities and initiatives.
• Oversees the Academic Programs unit’s role in leading cross-Institute student engagement activities, including its oversight of the Student Advisory Board, student communications, and student events.
• Collaborates with the Dean and others to implement best practices to realize and sustain an inclusive campus climate.
• Collaborates with colleagues in Finance on budgeting and long-range planning in line with strategic objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise direct reports including, but not limited to, the Institute’s program executive directors and members of the Academic Programs Office team.
• Includes hiring, onboarding, training, prioritizing work, supporting professional development and managing performance.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required. J.D. preferred.
• Ten years’ progressively responsible experience in academic leadership, which includes experience managing both individuals and teams.

Additional Qualifications:

The incumbent in this position will garner the trust and respect of the dean, senior colleagues and staff, and will serve as a key advisor, advocate, implementer, collaborator and consensus builder; will provide strategic leadership and effectively represent the interests, priorities, goals, and aspirations of HRI with multiple and varied audiences and stakeholders (university administrators, faculty, practitioners, and other RIAS community members); and will demonstrate commitment to multidisciplinary programming and to fostering diversity, inclusion and belonging in all facets of the Institute’s programming and among students, faculty and staff. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are critical for success.

Working Conditions:

• The work associated with this position is performed in an office environment. 
• The role demands flexibility outside the traditional 9 AM-5 PM schedule to accommodate special events, meetings with stakeholders, and collaboration with partners. As such, the associate dean will have varied workdays and hours, as necessary, to meet Institute needs.
• The environment is highly intellectual, demanding a focus on academic excellence and strategic thinking.

Physical Requirements:

The demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Employee must have the ability to sit at a desk for extended periods of time and complete tasks requiring repetitive use of hands. Employee must have the ability to engage with written documents, computer screens and to adjust focus.
• The role requires mobility to attend meetings, events, and conferences across the campus and other external locations. This includes walking between buildings and occasionally traveling overnight to other institutions, both domestic and international, for collaborative purposes.
• Additional physical/mental requirements may not be listed above but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

Application Requirements:

Please note that cover letters are required for every application for a position at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute.

A complete application will include a letter of interest, resume, and contact information of five referees who can speak about the candidate's qualifications for this specific opportunity. 

• Interviews: We will be conducting interviews virtually and in-person for selected candidates. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Employment, and Credit

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 062. 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.