Senior Director of Strategy, Advancement, and Organizational Development

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

About the MEDscience Program:

HMS MEDscience seeks an experienced, innovative, and collaborative senior leader to join its leadership team as the Senior Director of Strategy, Advancement & Organizational Development. This newly created executive leadership role will help shape the organization's next chapters growth by supporting the infrastructure, partnerships, and organizational capacity needed to expand MEDscience's impact across Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, and beyond. 

Founded eighteen years ago through a partnership between Harvard Medical School and Boston Public Schools, HMS MEDscience has grown into one of Harvard Medical School's most innovative educational initiatives, serving more than 4,500 students annually through immersive STEM education, medical simulation, workforce development, and biomedical engineering programs. HMS MEDscience is actively engaged in expanding partnerships and offerings at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Working in close collaboration with the Founding Executive Director and the senior leadership team, the Senior Director will provide strategic leadership across multiple enterprise-wide functions, including organizational development, advancement, human resources, communications, research and evaluation, and institutional partnerships. This individual will strengthen the systems in place, people, and resources to support MEDscience's growth while preserving the quality and innovation that define the organization.

Organizational Strategy & Organizational Development: 

• Provides expert advice to the Founding Executive Director to advance organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Lead organization-wide initiatives that strengthen systems, policies, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.
• Design and implement organizational structures and processes that support sustainable, new growth.
• Lead organizational planning, expansion initiatives, and emerging strategic opportunities.
• Assist in program development of key, current initiatives such as workforce development.
• Assist in developing policies and best practices that promote operational excellence.

Human Resources, Talent Strategy &Professional Development:

• Lead strategic human resources functions across the organization.
• Design recruitment strategies for professional, instructional, and leadership positions.
• Develop job descriptions, organizational restructurings, and position reclassifications.
• Partner with HMS HR on recruitment, compensation, performance management, and employee relations.
• Design and direct leadership development strategies.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and accountability.

Research, Evaluation, & Organizational Learning:

• Design knowledge capture and organizational learning strategies.
• Design organization-wide evaluation systems and develop organizational dashboards, performance metrics, and reporting systems.
• Lead educational research initiatives in collaboration with institutional partners.
• Lead the development of peer-reviewed publications, white papers, conference presentations, and institutional reports.
• Build collaborations with key partners including but not limited to Boston Public Schools, Gateway City school districts, and higher education institutions.
• Promote evidence-based decision-making and continuous organizational learning.

Communications, Marketing & External Relations:

• Establish and oversee MEDscience's communications and marketing function.
• Lead development of annual report and institutional publications.
• Develop strategies to strengthen organizational visibility and thought leadership.
• Oversee web content, social media, media relations, and public-facing communications.
• Ensure consistent messaging and branding across all platforms.
• Collaborate with HMS communications staff.

Advancement, Philanthropy & Institutional Development:

• Develop and implement strategies to increase philanthropic support from foundation, corporate, government, and individual giving.
• Write and manage complex grant proposals.
• Cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations.
• Work closely with HMS Office of Alumni Affairs and Development.
• Ensure compliance with university and school policies and processes.

Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement:

• Lead and establish new satellite programs.
• Support senior leadership team in developing partnerships with school districts, healthcare organizations, universities, foundations, corporations, and community organizations.
• Collaborate across Harvard to advance interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for regional, national, and international expansion.
• Advice the Founding Executive Director and associate director in cultivating new institutional partnerships.
• Represent MEDscience at conferences.

As part of your application, we recommend including any additional materials that help us better understand your qualifications and background, such as a cover letter, writing sample/project sample, or other relevant documents. They can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required in Education, Organizational Leadership, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Healthcare Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in K-12, higher education, nonprofit management, healthcare, philanthropy, and/or related sectors.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree preferred.
• Exceptional strategic planning and organizational leadership skills.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated success securing philanthropic funding.
• Experience writing complex grant proposals.
• Experience leading strategic human resources functions and organizational development initiatives.
• Expertise designing evaluation systems and educational research initiatives.
• Experience producing peer-reviewed publications, institutional reports, and other scholarly or professional publications.
• Experience developing communications strategies, annual reports, and organizational marketing initiatives.
• Outstanding written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Commitment to educational equity, workforce development, and STEM education.
• Fluency in Spanish (written and verbal) desirable.
• Doctoral degree preferred.

• 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, Education
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

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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 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, 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.