Associate Director of Design, Operations

Harvard Business School; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard Business School invites a seasoned Associate Director of Design, Operations to lead design management for capital projects and the BIM program. The role reports to the Senior Director of Planning and Design and requires driving design standards, vendor coordination, and data governance across multiple projects on the Boston campus.

The position emphasizes collaboration with internal departments, external consultants, and facilities teams to ensure architectural quality, space efficiency,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, or related discipline required.
• Five+ years of experience in planning and design oversight; higher education setting preferred.
• Familiarity with BIM concepts and workflows; ability to direct outsourced BIM resources.
• Ability to read and interpret construction documents; broad knowledge of building systems.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; on-site collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Executes project-level design management to support planning and design strategy.
• Negotiates and prepares standard design/planning agreements.
• Develops campus design standards and coordinates with internal teams.
• Manages capital and I&A projects through SD and DD phases.
• Leads BIM program stand-up, data standards, and governance.
• Coordinates with furniture teams to integrate BIM with CAFM (MRI CenterStone).
• Prepares design reports and status presentations; collaborates with stakeholders.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Project coordination

Vendor management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, or related discipline

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

MRI CenterStone

MS Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Associate Director of Design, Operations

• Full-time
• Work Format: Hybrid
• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 058
• Department: Operations
• FLSA Status: Exempt

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:

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Planning and Design, this role provides senior-level design management for HBS capital and Improvements & Alterations (I&A) projects, from study through schematic design (SD) and design development (DD) phases, and leads the stand-up and ongoing governance of a Building Information Management (BIM) program for HBS facilities and space data. Planning and design strategy remains the responsibility of the Senior Director; this role executes against that strategy at the project level – translating direction into concept plans, design standards compliance, and consultant/vendor management. The BIM program is oriented toward facilities and space management – extending and enriching the existing CAFM system – rather than construction-phase modeling, which remains the responsibility of Capital Programs. This role is expected to build deep institutional and technical knowledge over its first year; in that period, decisions on BIM standards and program direction are made in close partnership with the Senior Director.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

General:

• Executes project-level design management in support of planning and design strategy set by the Senior Director.
• Negotiates and prepares standard Harvard University agreements for design and planning consulting.
• Works with an Operations-wide team on development and updating of campus-wide space, interior, and architectural standards.
• Supervises vendors, outsourced technical consultants, and student interns as assigned.

Design Management:

• Manages assigned capital and I&A projects through study, schematic design (SD), and design development (DD) phases.
• Supports development of the annual and multi-year Capital Budget (led by the Senior Director of Capital Programs) in defining, planning, and scoping potential projects.
• Works with campus departments on space-related requests; develops and enforces campus design and specification standards.
• Develops architectural test fits and concept viability studies as needed.
• Facilitates user discussions and ensures architects' plans meet the school's functional and aesthetic needs.
• Works closely with project managers in supporting all aspects of project design and delivery, advising on design-related objectives from preconstruction through project closeout.
• Collaborates with the Interiors and Furniture Manager and outside design consultants to ensure a coordinated furniture, finish, and interior design process.
• Coordinates interior design and sustainable material discussions with Harvard and external resources and consultants.
• Prepares reports, analyses, and presentation materials related to project design management and BIM program status.
• Leads the stand-up of an HBS BIM program: defines scope, data standards, and information architecture for space and facilities data, in coordination with Harvard University Planning and Design (HUPAD) and University standards where applicable.
• Selects, contracts, and manages outsourced technical BIM vendors responsible for model development, data conversion, and ongoing technical support; reviews vendor deliverables for quality and consistency.
• Partners with the Associate Director of Furniture and Moves to ensure the BIM program integrates with and enhances the existing CAFM system (MRI CenterStone) rather than duplicating it.
• Establishes BIM governance: naming conventions, model-update protocols, access permissions, and a long-term maintenance plan.
• Owns coordination of all project closeout documentation across capital and I&A projects – as-built drawings, submittal records, O&M manuals, warranties, and other project-related materials – ensuring materials are captured, organized, and fed into the BIM and CAFM systems as the authoritative source of project record.
• Builds on existing groundwork – including preliminary BIM guideline documentation – developed by the Planning and Design student intern, incorporating it into the formal program as a starting reference point.
• Keeps abreast of developments in BIM standards and technology relevant to campus facilities management; recommends program adjustments as the field evolves.
• Phase two (once BIM program governance is established, generally year two and beyond): extends BIM and space-data governance to support space-utilization and occupancy analytics – including badge-scan data and dashboard/visualization work – in partnership with the Senior Director. This is a deliberate second-phase responsibility, sequenced after the BIM program is stood up so it does not compete with that build-out in year one.

Relationship Building and Collaboration:

• Interaction with faculty, administrative staff, Harvard University planning offices (including HUPAD), design consultants, and outsourced technical vendors.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with the above contacts.
• 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.

Physical Requirements:

Sits; stands; occasionally climbs stairs, ladders, or navigates active work areas to review conditions or closeout documentation. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus for detailed drawing and model review.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Planning, or a related discipline required.
• Five plus (5+) years of experience in a planning and design oversight role; experience in a higher education setting is preferred.
• Familiarity with BIM concepts, standards, and workflows (e.g., general awareness of ISO 19650 or equivalent) is expected; hands‑on technical modeling expertise is not required, but the ability to direct and evaluate outsourced technical BIM resources is essential.
• Ability to read and correctly interpret construction documents.
• Broad knowledge of construction and building systems (structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing).
• Working knowledge of CAFM or similar space/facilities data systems (experience with MRI CenterStone a plus).
• Ability to communicate well in verbal and written form; able to translate technical BIM/data concepts for non-technical audiences and leadership.
• Strong computer skills required (MS Office, Teams, Adobe Creative Suite); working knowledge of AutoCAD preferred.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and managing vendor and consultant contracts.
• Ability to work effectively with user groups, internal staff, and outside consultants; comfortable working under tight deadlines on multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and careful attention to detail; self‑motivated with the initiative to independently resolve problems, particularly during the program's early build‑out phase.

Candidates with fewer years of relevant work experience may be considered at grade level 57.

• 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, Criminal
• 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.

#LI-MM1

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 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

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

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.