Faculty Assistant, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University


Position Title: Faculty Assistant

Req ID: 65757BR

School or Unit: Harvard Kennedy School

Description: Job Summary

Harvard Kennedy School has an immediate opening for a benefits-eligible, 35 hours/week Faculty Assistant to support renowned academics, serving as a liaison to faculty, fellows, staff, students and important external contacts.



The ideal candidate will perform a wide range of complex administrative and support duties in a timely and accurate manner. This candidate must be proactive in problem-solving; able to multitask; and have high-level communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills. This candidate must have the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders including students, faculty, donors and prominent individuals and organizations with tact and diplomacy. A high level of maturity and good judgment are essential to this role. The position requires working independently and performing a wide range of complex and confidential administrative and clerical support duties. The position also requires knowledge of University and departmental policies and procedures.

Position Description

Responsibilities for this position will include (but are not limited to):

• Providing a wide range of complex office administration and support to multiple faculty members
• Managing complex calendars, coordinating high-level meetings and international travel arrangements; Reviewing, assessing, routing, answering, and monitoring follow up action steps on correspondence
• Serving as the main public representative of the professors and handling general inquiries by email and over the telephone
• Managing logistics for occasional small events and conferences, including sending invitations, booking rooms, creating agendas, coordinating schedules, and arranging catering
• Booking travel, processing reimbursements, paying invoices; Monitoring budgets including tracking expenditures and providing reports. May prepare spreadsheets for budgets, grants or contracts, including tracking and maintaining expenditures and reconciling accounts
• Providing complete course support, working with Faculty and Teaching Assistants, creating course Canvas websites, procuring readings, printing hand-outs
• Providing other office support including: composing and editing letters, memoranda, and reports, answering correspondences, maintaining office supplies, coordinating maintenance of physical space and equipment

The successful candidate will part of a collaborative faculty support environment and be involved in the broader Harvard Kennedy School community.

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in program coordination and/or office administration

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Ability to meet tight deadlines in a fast paced, high-energy and constantly changing environment
• Demonstrated intermediate skill level with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Position requires adaptability, flexibility and the ability to multitask while maintaining excellent attention to detail
• Successful candidate must be highly motivated, detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and a positive attitude
• Bachelor's degree, ideally with a focus on social science
• Demonstrated prior experience providing high level administrative support and complex project coordination responsibilities
• This position may require occasional (paid) evening and weekend work

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending June 30, 2025, with possibility of renewal.

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.

Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.

Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Salary Range: $59,027 - $93,064

Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-NM1

Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code: 403038 Staff Assistant III-Specialist

Job Function: General Administration

Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub Unit: ------------

Salary Grade: 054

Department: Faculty Assistant Group


Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity


Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: Harvard Kennedy School's Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism

At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership-because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.

Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School's commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.

EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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