Associate Director of Master's Degree Program in Sustainability and Global Development Practice

Harvard University FAS Human Resources; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard Extension School in Cambridge, MA seeks an Associate Director to lead the delivery of academic affairs operations, faculty support, curriculum management, and training. The role serves as primary operational lead and backup to the Program Director, ensuring program continuity and high-quality academic operations across ENVR courses and theses.

Responsibilities include overseeing thesis track management, supervising thesis directors, and providing tutorials to students while contributing

Responsibilities

• Oversee thesis track management, recruit/assign thesis directors, review and approve final theses, and provide guidance to students.
• Hold virtual/office hours to discuss progress on thesis proposals, matching with directors, and reviewing drafts.
• Contribute to the new Guide to the ALM Thesis for Sustainability and ensure high-quality academic operations and continuity.

Job description

Company 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 Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary

Lead the delivery of academic affairs operations including faculty support, curriculum management and training.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

The Associate Director plays a critical leadership role in overseeing the operational, administrative, and strategic functions of one of Harvard Extension School’s (HES) largest and most respected graduate programs. The Associate Director is the primary operational lead and backup to the Program Director, ensuring program continuity and high‑quality academic operations.

Thesis Track Management

• Lead semester-long instruction of ENVR 496 Crafting the Thesis Proposal (CTP); supervise ENVR 499AB Thesis in Sustainability, specifically ensuring students are matched with suitable thesis directors and review and approve student theses prior to submission.
• Hold virtual office hours to consult with students about progress on the CTP, matching with Thesis directors, and reviewing draft theses.
• Critique and approve thesis proposals, recruit faculty to serve as thesis directors, reviews and approves final format of the completed thesis. Provides individual tutorials as necessary, advises students on relevant courses, writing problems, research skills, and identifying a suitable thesis topic. Contributes to the new “Guide to the ALM Thesis for the field of Sustainability.