Assistant Director of Academic Affairs

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Health insurance from day one

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Family support

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Department of Biostatistics (Harvard Chan School) invites applications for an Assistant Director of Academic Affairs. The role oversees admissions, curriculum, policy development, financial management, and data governance, coordinating with GSAS and HSPH offices to implement programs and reporting.

You will manage a team of 2–3 staff, partner with leadership across departments, advance student success, and ensure compliance with university policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in Higher Education environment.
• Experience with database management and NIH T32 awards.
• Ability to lead policy, curriculum, and admissions processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead admissions policies, tracking, targets, decisions, and reporting.
• Lead annual course offerings and instructor assignments.
• Coordinate degree program policy with program directors and registrar offices.
• Oversee funding strategy and department fellowship budgets.
• Maintain records of student progress, program requirements, and alumni outcomes.

Skills

Leadership & team building

Supervisory experience

Higher Education experience

Microsoft Access

NIH T32 awards

Financial oversight

Budgeting

LaTeX

Microsoft Excel

Data management

Policy development

Admissions data reporting

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Access

LaTeX

Microsoft Excel

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 the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and about the Dean’s AAA vision about our school’s ongoing strategic initiatives.

Job Summary:

The Department of Biostatistics is a busy and diverse academic department focused on research and teaching. Our faculty are leaders in the development of statistical methods for clinical trials and observational studies, studies on the environment, computational biology, infectious disease, and genomics/genetics. We offer degree programs in biostatistics, computational biology, and data science. Currently, ~250 PhD and Master’s students are enrolled in these programs.

This position will join a team of 17 other administrative and financial professionals. The position reports to the Director of Administration, who reports to the Department Chair. The Assistant Director of Academic Affairs will manage and oversee the Senior Program Manager and the Graduate Program Coordinator as part of the broader academic team. The position will also work closely with the Associate Chair, the Directors of Graduate Studies, and the Co-Directors of the department’s Master’s programs.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Admissions
  • Create and manage all department policies and procedures for admissions review, tracking, targets, decisions, and reporting, working closely with the Director of Graduate Studies, the Student Admissions Committee, and the Graduate School’s Admissions Office for the Department's PhD Program.
  • Create and manage all department policies and procedures for admissions review, tracking, targets, decisions, and reporting, working closely with the Program Directors, their Executive Committees and the Harvard Chan Admissions Office for the Department's three Master's Programs.
  • Develop and maintain systems and for compiling, tracking, and reporting of up-to-date admissions data as well as repositories of admissions decisions and longitudinal data.
• Curriculum
  • Lead annual course offering process and instructor assignments working with the Associate Department Chair and associated Registrar's offices for both GSAS vs. HSPH course offerings
  • Manage TF assignment process, working with the Office of Educational Programs (OEP).
  • Provide guidance to faculty on course development and new course proposals.
  • Review data from course evaluations, student exit surveys, enrollment reports, semester grades, etc. to understand student, faculty, and department needs.
• Policy Development
  • Coordinate departmental degree program policy in conjunction with program directors.
  • Work with department leadership and the Registrar’s Offices at both Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) to manage and update policies and requirements in student handbooks.
• Financial Management
  • Lead overall funding strategy and appointment assignments for PhD students; Coordinate and communicate with program leadership, faculty PIs, and students.
  • Oversee and approve financial aid allocations and department fellowship budget.
  • Oversee student-related budgets (student committees and activities, prospective student open house, commencement celebrations, etc.).
  • Lead administrative components of NIH T32 training grants and other fellowship applications and renewals.
• Data Management
  • Maintain accurate records and databases related to students’ academic progress, program requirements, and alumni outcomes.
  • Maintain course archives and provide information and statistical data as needed.
  • Maintain accurate records for NIH T32 applications and renewals, including information for data tables.
  • Track lab rotation requirements for NIH T32 grants.
• Committee Membership & Leadership
  • Staff lead on departmental and school level education-focused committees (e.g. qualifying exam committee, degree program/academic standing committee, curriculum committees, etc.).
  • Works with the heads of other student service offices (Registrar, Admissions, Student Affairs, Financial Aid, Disability Access Office, etc. ) at both HSPH and GSAS to insure both compliance and overall success of the student experience.
• Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 5+ years of relevant experience in an academic setting, with prior supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in Higher Education / Graduate School
• Experience working with database management, particularly Microsoft Access
• Experience with NIH T32 awards
• Experience with financial oversight and budgeting
• Experience with database management software, particularly Microsoft Access
• Experience working with LaTeX, a markup language often used for academic and scientific publishing
• Experience with Microsoft Excel
• Experience multi-tasking and working independently
• Experience successfully responding to multiple, competing, and time-sensitive deadlines
• Experience managing sensitive information and situations with discretion
• Extremely organized
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage relationships with different stakeholders
• Initiative and Innovation
• Leadership and team building

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

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90day orientation and review period.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

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 to 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.