Associate Director, IT Media Services Solutions Architect

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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.

The Associate Director, IT – Media Services Solutions Architect, is a key leadership role within the Harvard Kennedy School’s (HKS) Information Technology organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer, this position is responsible for the strategic development and implementation oversight of AV and media technology solutions that support HKS’s mission in teaching, learning, research, and public engagement.
As a senior member of the HKS IT Leadership Team, the Associate Director serves as the architect of a modern, future-ready Media Services ecosystem. The role requires deep collaboration across academic, administrative, and technical units, as well as with Harvard University affiliates and external vendors, to ensure HKS’s AV infrastructure meets current needs and anticipates future demands.

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Design and maintain a multi-year Media Services strategic roadmap aligned with HKS priorities and budget cycles. Develop a long-term (10-year) AV refresh plan to guide institutional financial planning.
• Maintain a current inventory of AV-enabled spaces and conduct technology assessments to identify opportunities for standardization and optimization.
• Collaborate with HKSIT Media Services and academic leadership to ensure AV solutions support evolving pedagogical, hybrid, and research needs.
• Provide insight and analysis to senior leadership on industry trends, innovation opportunities, and emerging technologies.

Stakeholder Engagement & Business Alignment

• Serve as the primary liaison between HKS Media Services, IT teams, Harvard University affiliates, and technology vendors.
• Function as Business Relationship Manager, gathering requirements, facilitating stakeholder alignment, and translating user needs into technical solutions.
• Lead business case development, ROI assessments, and strategic proposals for AV investments.
• Support decision-making and change management processes in partnership with HKS executive and governance bodies.

Project Management & Implementation

• Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of AV and Media Services projects, including budget, timeline, resources, and risk management.
• Oversee procurement processes, including vendor selection, contract negotiation, and SOW development in partnership with Harvard Strategic Procurement.
• Manage AV commissioning processes and ensure solutions meet design intent, quality benchmarks, and HKS standards.
• Supervise project teams and ensure cross-functional coordination with campus partners, including Campus Planning & Operations and Executive Education.
• Monitor project performance and provide stakeholders with consistent and transparent updates.

Operations, Training & Support

• Ensure operational excellence by evaluating existing implementations and recommending scalable improvements.
• Develop user training programs, onboarding materials, and self-service documentation to promote adoption and confidence.
• Analyze AV performance metrics and propose data-driven enhancements to service delivery.
• Provide post-implementation oversight to ensure the establishment of sustainable support structures and ongoing improvement.

Partnerships & Innovation

• Collaborate with other Harvard schools to benchmark solutions and pursue opportunities for shared services.
• Stay current with developments in AV, instructional technologies, and digital engagement practices.
• Represent HKS in university-wide technology forums and working groups to align with broader institutional strategies.

Basic Qualifications:

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

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in AV/IT technology architecture, systems design, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder AV projects in dynamic environments.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise AV systems and classroom technologies in higher education.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel), Smartsheet, and ServiceNow or similar platforms.
• Expertise in Agile and Waterfall project management methodologies.
• Strong communication, team leadership, and client service skills.
• Ability to synthesize technical complexity into strategic insights for non-technical audiences.

Preferred:

• Industry certifications including CTS, CTS-D, PMP, ITIL v4, and Scrum.
• Experience working in higher education or similarly complex organizational settings.
• Familiarity with hybrid learning environments and digital pedagogy.
• Experience working with Generative Artificial Intelligence.
• Experience with the delivery of Media Services

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy Project Management Foundations course (or external equivalent) preferred
• PMP or other relevant certification and experience preferred, e.g., Scrum Master

• Standard Hours/Schedule:35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening:Education,Identity
•  Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

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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 059. 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.