Harvard Kennedy School Is Hiring A Program Manager

Join Harvard Kennedy School's Impactful Community 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓

Become part of a vibrant environment dedicated to advancing public leadership, fostering innovation, and creating meaningful change worldwide.

Company Overview

At Harvard University, working within the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) means engaging with a dynamic community committed to making a difference. We foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, grow skills, and contribute to impactful public policy.

Why Join Harvard Kennedy School?

The Harvard Kennedy School is one of Harvard’s 12 graduate and professional schools, focused on enhancing public policy and leadership. Our mission is to build societies that are safer, freer, more just, and sustainably prosperous. Through cutting-edge research, outstanding students, and direct practitioner engagement, we aim to solve public challenges like no other institution can. When you work here, you truly make a difference.

Job Description: Program Manager

The Program Manager will oversee programming and engagement for two distinguished fellowships:

• Wolk Israeli Graduate Fellowship: Supports emerging Israeli leaders.
• Gleitsman Fellowship in Social Activism: Cultivates students dedicated to social change.

Candidates with familiarity with the Jewish community and Hebrew skills are preferred, especially for the fellowship engaging deeply with Jewish leadership and culture. Both fellowships emphasize inclusive, community-centered leadership development.

Center for Public Leadership Fellowships

Our fellowships aim to develop public leaders through robust leadership training, experiential learning, and cohort-based programs rooted in servant leadership. These initiatives complement students’ classroom studies and align with Harvard Kennedy School’s global commitment to enhancing public leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Co-curricular Planning, Implementation, & Evaluation 🎯

• Support, implement, and deliver tailored co-curricular programs for each fellowship
• Coach students individually each semester to develop leadership skills
• Facilitate cohort sessions during the academic year
• Assist fellows in organizing an annual policy-focused field experience in U.S. cities
• Partner on designing and evaluating program outcomes
• Innovate based on fellow feedback, fostering community within and across fellowships
• Manage operational tasks and budgets responsibly to ensure compliance

Recruitment & Selection 🤝

• Lead the reading, interview, and selection process for fellow cohorts
• Collaborate with HKS admissions to identify and recruit promising candidates
• Serve as a main contact for prospective students interested in fellowships

Alumni Engagement 🌟

• Support alumni relations and donor engagement efforts
• Help prepare stewardship reports and organize donor meetings
• Participate in alumni activities and connect alumni with current fellows

Fostering a Professional Culture 🏆

• Promote ethical and culturally proficient practices among staff and students
• Reflect on and improve personal and team practices using data and feedback
• Communicate professionally and work collaboratively
• Engage in ongoing professional development
• Adhere to Harvard and CPL policies and contribute to program design and implementation

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications ✅

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of related program or project management experience

Additional Skills & Preferences 🌟

• Master’s degree preferred
• Proficiency in Hebrew is a plus
• Experience coaching or mentoring students
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects
• Experience working with diverse international communities and stakeholders
• Proven budget management skills

Additional Details & Benefits 📝

• Work Schedule: 35 hours/week with some evening, weekend, and travel commitments
• Location: Based at Harvard with remote options; work must be within eligible states
• Salary Grade: Level 056 (view Harvard's salary ranges)
• Benefits: Comprehensive package including paid time off, health insurance from day one, retirement, wellbeing resources, professional development, and campus perks
• Employment Type: One-year term appointment with potential renewal
• Visa Sponsorship: Not available for this role

Work Environment & Compensation

This role offers a flexible work environment with the possibility of remote work, contingent upon meeting location requirements. Salary and benefits are competitive and aligned with Harvard policies.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 🌍

Harvard University is dedicated to providing equal opportunity and fostering an inclusive environment. We celebrate diverse backgrounds and perspectives, ensuring everyone can thrive without discrimination on any protected characteristic.