Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, Academic Program Planning

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off including ParEN

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans with university in‑b‑

Wellbeing and mental health resources

Support for families and caregivers

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits and campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences is seeking an Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, Academic Program Planning to oversee academic affairs, curriculum management, and training. The role collaborates across FAS and the College to support gateway courses, curricular planning, and funding initiatives to enhance undergraduate education.

The position reports to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education and Policy, with a focus on cross-departmental coordination, program

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Academic Programs and Policy in the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, Academic Program Planning will work across the FAS and the College to support cross-departmental academic planning and curricular initiatives, including placement exams, first-year gateway and foundational course planning, and initiatives to support departments, such as course innovation funds oversight.
• First-year and gateway course planning. Serves as primary OUE liaison with departments and programs on first-year course planning and existing and new gateway courses to ensure academic rigor, accessibility for students from any background, and that courses are serving their intended purpose.
• Cross-departmental curricular planning. Under OUE senior leadership’s direction, serves as liaison with departments, the College, and the FAS on overall curricular planning and course review to ensure academic pathways for students are clear and meaningful.
• Rising Scholars Program: Oversees the Rising Scholars Program, a pre-matriculation academic transition initiative designed to support students from under-resourced educational backgrounds.
• Placement Exams: Works with departments on an ongoing basis to review existing placement exams and to develop new instruments to ensure that exam content aligns with course content.
• Course Innovation Funds: Oversees the administration of course innovation funds, including promoting, selecting, and distributing funds to improve the quality of pedagogy, course design, and undergraduate education at the College. Assesses the success of funding initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Data management

Independent and collaborative work

Process improvement

Curriculum knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Data analysis tools

Job description

Company Description

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

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart ofHarvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduateprogram (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all ofHarvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GraduateSchool of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athleticsand the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academicdepartments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a communityunparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest rangeof liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeksto foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and sharedcommitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from allmembers of our community and prepares the next generation ofleaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

Oversee academic affairs operations including faculty support,curriculum management and training.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education,Academic Programs and Policy in the Office of UndergraduateEducation, the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, AcademicProgram Planning will work across the FAS and the College tosupport cross-departmental academic planning and curricularinitiatives, including placement exams, first-year gateway andfoundational course planning, and initiatives to supportdepartments, such as course innovation funds oversight.

• First-year and gateway course planning . Serves asprimary OUE liaison with departments and programs on first-yearcourse planning and existing and new gateway courses to ensureacademic rigor, accessibility for students from any background, andthat courses are serving their intended purpose.
• Cross-departmental curricular planning . Under OUEsenior leadership’s direction, serves as liaison with departments,the College, and the FAS on overall curricular planning and coursereview to ensure academic pathways for students are clear andmeaningful.
• Rising Scholars Program Oversees the Rising ScholarsProgram, a pre-matriculation academic transition initiativedesigned to support students from under-resourced educationalbackgrounds
• Placement Exams: Works with departments on an ongoingbasis to review existing placement exams and to develop newinstruments to ensure that exam content aligns with coursecontent.
• Course Innovation Funds: Oversees the administration ofcourse innovation funds, including promoting, selecting, anddistributing funds to improve the quality of pedagogy, coursedesign, and undergraduate education at the College. Assesses thesuccess of funding initiatives.

Working Conditions:

The work schedule and location will be set by the department at itsdiscretion and based upon operational needs and objectives andconsistent with College Policy, which requires 5 days on-site inCambridge, MA during term time (first day of classes throughcommencement), with the exception of student breaks. When notworking at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees inhybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state incompliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details about the College policy will be discussedduring the interview process. Certain visa types and fundingsources may limit work location. Individuals must meet worklocation sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use forextended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and otherphysical exertion

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree in relevant field preferred
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong commitment to continuous process improvement
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively withfaculty, administrators, and students.
• Experience with data management and analysis.
• Knowledge of the curriculum and ongoing curricular changes inHarvard College.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders thatall duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard orHarvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit worklocation. Individuals must meet work location sponsorshiprequirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view thecorresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed tosupport a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental andfinancial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Ourbenefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage startingon day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuitionassistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & WellbeingPage.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talentfrom all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensureeveryone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our communityadvance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on thebasis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in theuniversity's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help allcommunity members participate fully in work and campus life freefrom harassment and discrimination.