Associate Director, Program in General Education

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences is seeking an Associate Director for the Program in General Education. The role leads academic and administrative planning for Gen Ed courses, advising faculty and teaching staff to promote high‑quality learning experiences. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least seven years of relevant experience; a Ph.D.

is preferred. You will collaborate with senior leaders and the Bok Center to advance pedagogical initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Ph.D. preferred for leadership role in Gen Ed program.
• Strong knowledge of effective pedagogical practices and teaching methodologies.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and administrative support for Gen Ed courses.
• Oversee a small team and provide training for faculty and teaching staff.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to enhance student support and learning experiences.
• Partner with Bok Center for Teaching and Learning on pedagogy initiatives.
• Support curricular design and adoption of new educational technologies.

Skills

Pedagogical practices

Teaching experience

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Ph.D. preferred

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 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

Manage and plan academic affairs operations including facultysupport, curriculum management and training.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of the Program in General Education, the Associate Director provides program leadership and criticalpedagogical and administrative support for the 75 General Educationcourses offered each year and the diverse range of faculty andteaching staff who teach these courses. Leading academic andadministrative planning processes for Gen Ed courses, the AssociateDirector identifies, devises and assesses solutions forprogrammatic and pedagogical needs; develops and implementsprograms, services and resources for faculty and their teachingstaff; and advises them collectively and individually asneeded.

The Associate Director assists the Director in formulating policiesand procedures and recommends improvements to overall courseadministration and support. The Associate Director works closelywith other members of the senior leadership team to maintain andpromote the quality of the program’s academic offerings bycontributing substantially to the strategic planning and design ofthe program, improving student support, and advising faculty andteaching fellows/assistants to promote high-quality learningexperiences. The Associate Director manages a team of two grade-55Course Coordinators responsible for the day-to-day support for thecourses.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Collaborates with the Director on leadership of the Program inGeneral Education through strategic planning and representing thedepartment on various committees and working groups.
   • Works interdepartmentally on large-scale projects, such as thejoint Harvard College Curriculum resource creation.
   • Serves as de-facto director when the Director is out of theoffice.
2. Manages a team of two grade-55 Course Coordinators who performall administrative responsibilities for the Program in GeneralEducation including all logistical support for courses (staffing,space, field trips, guest speakers, course materials, etc.).
3. Collaborates with the director on strategic leadership forpedagogical support for Gen Ed faculty and courses.
   • Provides pedagogical support and training to encourage adoptionof major pedagogical initiatives set by FAS and the Gen Ed FacultyStanding Committee, such as AI, grading, course engagement, andcurricular design.
   • Partners and consults with faculty and TFs on course innovationprojects and troubleshoots challenges identified in course reviewsto ensure high-quality learning experiences forstudents.
   • Leads trainings and develops resources for faculty and teachingstaff (e.g. Head TF Orientation, templates, guides andmanuals).
   • Collaborates with the Bok Center for Teaching and Learning.
4. Supports the implementation of key strategic pedagogicalinitiatives across the Harvard College Curriculum programs(including Expository Writing and the First-Year Seminar Program),such as the curricular response to GenAI and the adoption of otheremerging educational technologies.
5. Acts as the office’s first responder and representative foremergent and/or sensitive concerns, including employment or laborissues that involve the HGSU-UAW union; coordinating with localoffices such as General Counsel and the Office of Labor andEmployee Relations as necessary.
6. Compiles, analyzes, and provides data as requested by theStanding Committee on General Education, Office of the President,the Dean of FAS and/or Harvard College, HPAC, Admissions,Development, and other stakeholders.
7. Other duties as needed.

Working Conditions

The work schedule and location will beset by the department at its discretion and based upon operationalneeds and objectives and consistent with College Policy, whichrequires 5 days on-site in Cambridge, MA during term time (firstday of classes through commencement), with the exception of studentbreaks. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designatedlocation, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvardregistered state in compliance 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.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Ph.D. preferred.
• Direct supervisory experience preferred.
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of effective pedagogical practices andteaching methodologies.
• Ability to quickly learn, adopt, and promote emergingtechnologies and instructional tools.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently whilecontributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positiveprofessional relationships with a diverse population of faculty,staff, and students.
• Experience developing productive partnerships and workingrelationships with faculty members.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handlingconfidential and sensitive information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projectssimultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention todetail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and effectivelybalance competing priorities.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date:
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential ifapplicable):
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: The Program in General Education is a set of courses andrequirements outside the concentration (major) that all 6,500undergraduates in Harvard College must fulfill. Courses in GeneralEducation address urgent problems or enduring questions and areunusually explicit in connecting the subjects students study to thepeople they will become and the world beyond the classroom. Inaddition to the General Education requirement, the office supportsthe College’s divisional distribution and Quantitative Reasoningwith Data requirements.

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

Benefits

• 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.