Career Center

Position Description

The Assistant Director works closely with members of the senior leadership team to maintain and promote the quality of the Program in General Education's academic offerings; contributes to the strategic planning and design of the Program; and improves the ways the office can support the students who take courses, and the faculty and graduate students who teach them. Reporting to the Director of the Program in General Education (Gen Ed), the Assistant Director oversees all administrative aspects of the Faculty Standing Committee on General Education, including its Quantitative Reasoning with Data (QRD) sub-committee; facilitates the ongoing review of courses; administers the College's divisional distribution and QRD requirements; is responsible for the public face of the Program and guidance for the Program's communications, including Program websites and content in other College publications; advises on requirements and policies for the College's Gen Ed, divisional distribution and QRD requirements. Manages a Program Coordinator who supports the Gen Ed Committee and an Administrative Assistant, who provides key support to all members of the office team.

Advises on requirements and policies for the College's General Education, divisional distribution and Quantitative Reasoning with Data requirements

• Fields inquiries related to requirements and policies in person, by phone and online
• Assesses student requests for exceptions and processes related updates to students' academic records
• Communicates with House resident deans and academic coordinators to help ensure students' completion of relevant graduation requirements
• Develops advising presence in the Houses and Yard
• Serves as the program's liaison to the Advising Program Office
• Designs and delivers advising materials, trainings and presentations for students, staff and advisors
• Identifies and publicizes Harvard Summer School courses that count for the Gen Ed, divisional distribution and QRD requirements
• Identifies, recommends and initiates changes to existing policies and procedures

Oversees all administrative aspects of the Faculty Standing Committee on General Education, including its Quantitative Reasoning with Data sub-committee

• Sets agenda and schedules for planning meetings and committee meetings, and ensures completion and tracking of all follow-up tasks
• Communicates with committee members
• Oversees tracking of information/status for all proposals for new courses
• Implements the ongoing course review process
• Tracks programmatic and policy issues, and documents decisions

Administers the College's divisional distribution and Quantitative Reasoning with Data requirements

• Responsible for review and catalog listing of eligible courses, working closely with academic departments, divisional deans' offices and the Registrar's Office

Manages the public face of the Program and provides guidance for the Program's communications

• Supervises the development and maintenance of the Program in General Education and QRD websites
• Ensures that the Program in General Education, divisional distribution requirement and QRD requirements are appropriately included in College and University publications

Supervises Program Coordinator and Administrative Assistant

• Assigns and oversees day-to-day work
• Engages in ongoing coaching
• Conducts annual performance reviews
• With the support of FAS HR, responsible for corrective action, up to and through termination, if needed

Other duties as assigned by the Director.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

MA in Higher Education or in a field taught in the Faculty of Arts & Science strongly preferred. Demonstrated success in an academic environment, including direct interaction with faculty, staff and students. Knowledge of undergraduate liberal arts programs. Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, and excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Experience advising undergraduate students and handling confidential data. Ability to supervise staff and build positive relationships to work professionally with a diverse group of faculty, staff and students. Strong diplomatic skills and tact, and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, and experience with public speaking. Self-motivating, able to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Outlook Suite, plus capacity to learn new software for student records, web design and information management.

Additional Information

The Program in General Education is a set of courses and requirements outside the concentration (major) that all 6,500 undergraduates in Harvard College must fulfill. Courses in General Education address urgent problems or enduring questions, and are unusually explicit in connecting the subjects students study to the people they will become and the world beyond the classroom. In addition to the General Education requirement, the office supports the College's divisional distribution and Quantitative Reasoning with Data requirements.

Salary Grade: 057

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO 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.

Return to Search Results