Program Manager, Rappaport Dean's Research Initiative

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

For more than 25 years, the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston has connected Harvard’s scholars and students with public service, helping strengthen governance, improve policy, and develop public sector leaders across Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through fellowships, research partnerships, policy convenings, and civic engagement initiatives, the Institute brings together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students to address important public challenges in the Commonwealth. 

The Rappaport Dean's Research Initiative (RDRI) is a new effort designed to deepen the Institute's research and policy impact. The Initiative supports faculty-led research partnerships focused on major challenges facing Massachusetts and Greater Boston, including housing, homelessness, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and government effectiveness. By connecting faculty with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic partners, and community stakeholders, the Initiative seeks to ensure that research informs policy and practice and that policymakers can benefit from the latest evidence and analysis. 

The RDRI is led by Professor Jeffrey Liebman, Director of the Rappaport Institute, and Kathryn Carlson, Executive Director, with close engagement from Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein. The Program Manager will work closely with Institute leadership and play a central role in advancing the Initiative's work. Working with faculty, public officials, practitioners, and external partners, the Program Manager will help develop and manage applied research projects, cultivate strategic partnerships, support fundraising and external engagement efforts, and coordinate convenings designed to identify promising opportunities for collaboration and impact. 

The Program Manager will also help build and maintain relationships with faculty across Harvard and with leaders in government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector, helping to develop a pipeline of future research partnerships and projects. 

The Program Manager's initial portfolio will include supporting a multi-faceted homelessness prevention initiative in Massachusetts and the City of Boston, working closely with Professors Jeffrey Liebman and Elizabeth Linos, as well as planning and managing convenings, faculty engagement, and stakeholder outreach related to other emerging research priorities of the Rappaport Dean's Research Initiative. 

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working across research, policy, and practice; skilled at managing complex projects and relationships; and motivated by the opportunity to connect academic research with real-world public problem solving. 

The Program Manager will provide strategic and project leadership for the Rappaport Dean's Research Initiative, advancing applied research projects from concept development through implementation while fostering partnerships among researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and funders. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Research Initiative Leadership 

• Lead development and implementation of applied research projects within the Rappaport Dean's Research Initiative. 
• Work closely with faculty leaders to identify research opportunities with the potential for significant policy impact. 
• Develop project scopes, work plans, timelines, milestones, and performance measures. 
• Coordinate activities across multiple projects and stakeholders, ensuring timely execution and delivery. 
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and challenges, and recommend solutions. 

Homelessness Prevention Initiative 

• Serve as a lead staff member supporting a major homelessness prevention research initiative focused on Massachusetts and the City of Boston. 
• Work closely with Professors Jeffrey Liebman and Elizabeth Linos to develop and advance a multi-year mixed-methods research agenda. 
• Coordinate collaboration among researchers, government agencies, nonprofit service providers, and philanthropic partners. 
• Support the design and execution of mixed-methods research projects, including quantitative and qualitative analyses. 
• Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. 

Convenings and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Plan and manage policy convenings, workshops, and stakeholder meetings designed to inform and advance the Initiative's research priorities. 
• Oversee the planning and execution of convenings, including participant recruitment, agenda development, speaker coordination, briefing materials, logistics, and post-event follow-up, working closely with Institute staff and external partners. 
• Develop agendas, briefing materials, participant communications, and follow-up reports. 
• Facilitate engagement among researchers, policymakers, practitioners, funders, and community stakeholders. 
• Build and maintain relationships with faculty across Harvard and with leaders in government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. 

Communications and External Engagement 

• Prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, proposals, correspondence, and other written products for internal and external audiences. 
• Support fundraising, donor engagement, and external communications efforts related to the Initiative. 
• Represent the Rappaport Institute and the Dean's Research Initiative with internal and external stakeholders. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required. 
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, including at least three years leading organizational, programmatic, or policy change efforts within government or organizations working closely with government. 
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree in public policy, public administration, social work, economics, public health, urban planning, law, or a related field strongly preferred. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills. 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Expertise in the administration of social programs at the city, county, or state level. 
• Experience supporting or leading mixed-methods research projects. 
• Experience working directly with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community-based partners. 
• Familiarity with homelessness, housing instability, human services, poverty reduction, behavioral health, or related policy areas preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizations, build trust with diverse stakeholders, and advance collaborative initiatives. 
• Ability to independently structure work, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and drive projects toward measurable outcomes. 
• Experience translating research into policy and implementation strategies. 
• Familiarity with Massachusetts state and local government preferred. 

• Appointment End Date: Fully benefits-eligible one year term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This position is full-onsite/on campus in Cambridge, MA 5 days/week.

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 057. 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. 

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