Chief of Staff

$151,200 - $273,600/Yr

Harvard Law School - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Senior

Remote - Cambridge, MA

About the position

The Chief of Staff (CoS) at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) plays a pivotal role in supporting the Dean's efforts to advance the school's research, teaching, and public engagement missions. This position is designed to strengthen the partnership between the Dean and the senior administrative and faculty leadership of the school. The CoS will oversee a team in the Dean's office and will be responsible for advancing the Dean's agenda, identifying and implementing strategic priorities, establishing workflows, and monitoring progress on various initiatives. The CoS will also anticipate potential risks and provide recommendations for the Dean's consideration, ensuring that the Dean's priorities are met through a collaborative and inclusive approach across departments and centers within the school and the broader Harvard community. In addition to project management and strategic planning, the CoS will maintain close contact with senior leadership, faculty, and administrative teams, operating at various levels to ensure that the Dean's initiatives are effectively advanced. This includes developing and leading strategic plans, tracking progress on major goals, and managing communications that come from the Dean's office. The CoS will also represent the Dean in meetings and other initiatives, ensuring that the Dean's voice is heard and that important developments are communicated effectively. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in the government and/or non-profit sectors, with a strong alignment to the mission of HKS. They will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and ethical standards, along with exemplary communication and leadership skills. The CoS will be expected to manage a team, oversee administrative operations, and drive the work of the Dean's office to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team in the Dean's office and advance the agenda of the Dean and the School.
• Assist the Dean with the identification and implementation of priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Establish workflows and timelines, and monitor progress in advancing priorities.
• Anticipate risks and provide recommendations and contingencies for the Dean's consideration.
• Lead cross-organizational projects and programs, working with faculty and professional staff as directed.
• Develop and manage special projects, aligning resources, benchmarking, and tracking progress.
• Work across departments to ensure inclusive and collaborative approaches to advancing the Dean's priorities.
• Serve on the School's Local Emergency Management Team (LEMT).
• Maintain and monitor a reporting system to track progress on major goals.
• Partner with colleagues to plan and draft communication efforts coming from the Dean.
• Oversee the administrative operations of the Dean's office, including budget development and scheduling.
• Supervise and drive the work of a team in the Dean's office, providing feedback and performance reviews.
• Represent the Dean in meetings and brief the Dean and Leadership on important takeaways.

Requirements

• Master's degree required.
• A minimum of 10 years of administrative management experience in an executive environment required.
• Minimum of five years of experience serving as a chief of staff, senior advisor, and/or special assistant to an executive.
• Extensive experience in the government and/or non-profit sectors, aligned with the HKS mission.
• Proven commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, and belonging goals.
• Strong project management skills, preferably in higher education or government.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Exemplary analytical, verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work productively with minimal oversight.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with large organization change management initiatives strongly preferred.

Benefits

• 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).
• Up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary caregivers.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Disability and life insurance programs.
• Child and elder/adult care resources including on-campus childcare centers.
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, and meditation.
• University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation.
• Tuition Assistance Program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program providing 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses.
• Professional Development programs and classes at little or no cost.
• Various commuter options including discounted parking and pre-tax transit passes.