Assistant Director, Doctoral Programs

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Business School’s Doctoral Programs Office seeks a dedicated administrator to oversee student advising, admissions, and program management. You will partner with faculty and staff to support admissions, registration, and services for 120+ doctoral students across multiple programs.

The role emphasizes on-site collaboration, annual planning, and career development, with hybrid work options and a focus on the student experience.

Qualifications

• Interpret and evaluate policies and procedures.
• 02
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated teamwork and initiative.
• Experience with admissions, student advising, or program management.
• Comfort working with data and student information systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for current students on policies, resources, research, and career planning.
• Refer students to staff and resources for assistance.
• Collaborate with faculty advisors and chairs to support program requirements.
• Conduct annual meetings and assist with planning and progress reviews.
• Advise students in assigned programs with Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
• Plan and oversee complex student events, including orientation and development opportunities.
• Build and maintain admissions pipelines; represent programs at events and information sessions.
• Evaluate applications and provide notes to faculty chairs; participate in first-round interviews.
• Coordinate admissions logistics, interviews, and communications with applicants and recommenders.
• Maintain admissions data and reporting; ensure smooth data transfer to systems.

Skills

Policy interpretation

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Initiative

Data literacy

Student advising

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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

Why join Harvard Business School?

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

Job Summary:

Harvard Business School’s Doctoral Programs consist of 120+ students across 7 different programs. Join a small, dynamic and dedicated team, where you will have the opportunity to focus on a range of higher education administration; the Doctoral Programs Office manages admissions, course planning, registration and enrollment, student services, progress tracking, career planning, and commencement. This job is for you if you are interested in many different aspects of higher education and care deeply about the student experience!

This role focuses primarily focuses on student advising, and plays an instrumental role in admissions and professional development. The position reports to the Director, Doctoral Programs.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Student Advising

• Serves as the primary contact for current students on departmental policies and requirements, academic resources, research, and job market planning; refers students appropriately to staff, faculty, and University resources for assistance.
• Partners with faculty advisors and chairs to ensure the success of each student and to maintain policies and program requirements. Provides recommendations and implements changes to the program.
• Conducts annual yearly meetings with students and supports the annual planning and progress review process with faculty chairs.
• Advises students in assigned programs, partnering with colleagues in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
• Plans and oversees complex student events, including month-long orientation program and professional development opportunities.

Admissions

• Works closely with the Doctoral Programs leadership team to build a broad, diverse, and large admissions pipeline; advises prospective students. Represents the programs at recruiting events and leads regular information sessions.
• Evaluates applications and provides detailed notes to faculty chairs; participates in first-round interviews.
• Supports faculty throughout the admissions process by serving as a liaison as faculty evaluate, interview, and make admissions decisions; manages interview scheduling, logistics, and communications with applicants and recommenders.
• Maintains admissions data and tracks decisions throughout the cycle; partners with GSAS Admissions and HBS IT to ensure a smooth transfer of admissions data to HBS systems; updates admissions analyses and reports annually.
• Manages the Admitted Students Program, the annual yield event. Works with the team to support logistics.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degreerequired
• 5+ years of experience in higher education administration.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Proficiency to interpret and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as good judgment.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work as part of a team.
• Experience with admissions, student advising, or program management preferred.
• Comfort working with data, reporting, and student information systems.

Why You Will Love this Job

• You can take advantage of having a view across the MBA & Doctoral programs – you’ll get to know everyone.
• Join a small group of dedicated staff and faculty colleagues who are committed to a wonderful group of appreciative doctoral students.
• Grow your career here – be exposed to the inner workings of a world-renowned business school and develop your skills and experience.
• Competitive salary & benefits as well as a commitment to sustainable work-life integration.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

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

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

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

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.