Program Administrator, Human Flourishing Program

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Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Summary:

Founded in 2016, the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard's Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS) aims to study and promote human flourishing, and to develop systematic approaches to the synthesis of knowledge across disciplines. The Program Administrator of the Human Flourishing Program reports to the Executive Director and works in collaboration with the Faculty Director and Human Flourishing Program staff. The Program Administrator will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Program’s administrative needs including liaising with relevant Institute for Quantitative Social Science and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health administrative staff, university policy/process navigation, program financial tracking, human resource process navigation, office management, administrative support, and other related duties as assigned. This position is the primary staff member focused on Program administrative activities.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Financial Operations

• Manages day-to-day financial operations for the Human Flourishing Program, including: entering, tracking, and reconciling invoices, reimbursements, purchasing card transactions, and vendor payments in Harvard financial systems.
• Monitors program budget and sponsored research accounts in collaboration with the IQSS Finance and Sponsored Research teams, prepares regular financial reports for the Executive Director and Faculty Director, flags variances, or potential overruns, and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Ensures compliance with Harvard, Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), and sponsor policies for allowable costs, documentation, and approvals.

Appointment Processing

• Manages end-to-end administrative processes for staff and academic appointees in the Human Flourishing Program, including initiating staff recruitments with the IQSS HR team, scheduling interviews, assisting in the formulation of job descriptions, tracking staff renewals and initiating extension requests.
• Manages the full process for new academic appointments, reappointments, and promotions. Coordinates closely with IQSS HR, Office of Faculty Affairs, and other central offices to draft and submit required documentation, track approvals and timelines, and ensure adherence to University, FAS, and HSPH policies.
• Maintains internal records and tracking systems (e.g. appointment and visa end dates, promotion review timelines, salary and title changes) and proactively alerts program leadership to upcoming actions and deadlines.
• Serves as the primary administrative contact for program staff and academic appointees on routine appointment related questions and processes.

Office Operations and Administrative Support

• Oversees day-to-day office operations for the Human Flourishing Program, including ordering and maintaining office supplies and equipment, managing mail and package receipt, and coordinating space and room reservations.
• Provides high-level administrative support to the Executive Director and Faculty Director, including complex calendar management, scheduling across multiple stakeholders, preparing meeting materials, and arranging occasional local event logistics.
• Serves as primary point of contact for IQSS and building operations staff regarding office and space needs, minor facility issues, and access requests.

Policy and Process Management

• Interprets and applies relevant Harvard, FAS, HSPH, IQSS, and Program policies and procedures for program leadership, staff, and academic appointees, particularly in the areas of academic appointments, international partnerships/collaborations, and visa-related processes.
• Serves as the first point of contact for routine policy and process questions; researches answers and coordinates with appropriate offices (e.g. IQSS HR, Faculty Affairs, HSPH) to resolve more complex issues.
• Develops and maintains internal process guides, checklists, and timelines to help program staff and leadership navigate University requirements efficiently and in compliance.

Communications

• Supports program communications by maintaining and updating the Human Flourishing Program website (e.g. posting news items, updating profiles, events and publications using Drupal or other University-supported content management systems.
• Drafts and distributes internal communications, such as email announcements, reminders, and informational updates to program staff and affiliates.
• Coordinates with IQSS communications staff as needed to ensure alignment with school and University guidelines and to share key program milestones or events.

Working Conditions:

• In person in the office at least 3 days a week. The other days would involve working remotely.
• Minimal travel requirements – possibly within the Boston area to support/staff an event.

Physical Requirements:

• Help receiving packages sent to the office which may require moderate lifting (15+ lbs).

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of related work experience; education beyond high school may count toward experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 2+ years working in an academic setting
• Familiar with financial and other administrative systems
• Prior project management and financial/budget management experience
• Experience and comfort managing multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic, multi-deadline driven environment, and delegating responsibility as needed
• Possession of broad research/academic interests and experience and success applying critical thinking to programmatic, financial, and policy issues
• Experience working with human resources processes (e.g., to manage and onboard new hires)
• Experience working independently under minimal supervision and as part of a team
• Experience updating website content including the use of Drupal
• Excellent organizational and communications skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)
• Highly organized with a strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills; strong decision-making skills
• Proactive, action-oriented, and able to take initiative
• Ability to define and drive projects to completion
• Skilled and comfortable at collaboration and working in team environment

• 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, Criminal, Credit
• Other Information:
  • This is a one-year term appointment from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension.
  • All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
  • All applicants must submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.
  • IQSS sits in the Division of Social Science. At IQSS, respect and fairness, kindness and collegiality, and trust and transparency are among the values we espouse and promote in our workplace culture. We work hard to ensure a healthy, inclusive, and positive environment where everyone does their best work in support of Harvard’s mission.

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 055. 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.