Associate Director for Graduate Writing and Academics

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The Graduate Program’s Associate Director for Graduate Writing and Academics is a member of a team that supports graduate law students (candidates for the LLM (Master of Laws) and SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) degrees) and visiting researchers in their academic, student life, and co-curricular pursuits.  

The Associate Director for Graduate Writing and Academics provides high-level academic and writing support to LLM and SJD students, most of whom received their primary legal education outside the U.S. The position helps students to find their scholarly voice and develop their academic skills and interests. 

As an Associate Director for Graduate Writing and Academics you will:

• Advise and support LLM and SJD students in their legal/academic research and writing, including in formulating research projects, crafting effective paper proposals, and organizing and presenting arguments effectively, and develop and implement innovative programming related to these skills
• Advise and assist LLM and SJD students and recent alumni in moving projects toward publication and serve as a liaison between current students and alumni with common academic interests
• Assist students in complying with academic rules and requirements, including with respect to plagiarism and proper paraphrasing
• Work with HLS faculty supervisors and research librarians to address specific LLM and SJD research and writing needs
• Maintain primary responsibility for the structure and presentation of SJD theory and methodology seminar
• Select, train, supervise, and mentor student writing advisors; run writing and response paper workshops and conduct informal events for students to present their work in progress
• Review and advise LLM students on their applications to the Winter Term Writing Program and SJD program
• Review initial SJD study plans and make bibliographical suggestions and recommendations for revisions and refinement of research fields
• Read drafts of SJD dissertation chapters and offer suggestions on structure, sources, and methodology
• Review, evaluate, and make recommendations on LLM applications, including assessing substantive legal essays for cogency 
• Support SJD students in developing teaching skills, including advising on teaching fellowship opportunities across Harvard schools 
• Perform other duties and tasks as needed

Basic Qualifications

Graduate degree in law, social sciences, humanities, or similar field with 3 or more years of relevant work experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who: 

• Have independent scholarly interests and experience 
• Demonstrate excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, and time management skills  
• Have experience and enjoy working with a culturally and geographically diverse population 
• Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy in their work with students  
• Have the ability to respond with flexibility and imagination to unanticipated situations 
• Build and foster an internal culture of positive collegiality 
• Take initiative, anticipate needs, and consistently demonstrate resourcefulness, good judgment, and creative problem-solving 
• Consistently go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure smooth teamwork and an excellent student experience and provide responsive and detail-oriented support in a high-volume, service-driven environment 
• Can handle complex and confidential matters with discretion and maturity

In working with SJD candidates, the Associate Director for Graduate Writing and Academics operates at the same meta-level of practical and scholarly judgment as with LLMs but employs greater scholarly sophistication.  

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time. Weekend and evening work required periodically and during designated times of the year. A strong candidate is an organized and resourceful self-starter who can work independently but is also an excellent team player.

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Other Information:

This position is based primarily on campus with the opportunity for remote work based on business needs and manager approval.     

All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types 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, 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.