Data Licensing & Governance Manager

Harvarduniversity; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard Kennedy School seeks a Manager of Data Acquisition and Management reporting to the Director of Research Computing and Data Services. The role leads data licensing, acquisition, and lifecycle management of research data resources used across HKS projects, partnering with Harvard Library, OSP, and GC to ensure compliant, cost-effective data use.

The incumbent will supervise Data Safety reviewers, develop data governance SOPs, and serve as a primary liaison to faculty, researchers, and data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., data governance, information or library science, law, public policy, research administration).
• 5+ years of experience in data licensing/contracts, research compliance, or related field, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating data contracts, licenses, or data use agreements.
• A complete application must include a resume and cover letter.

Responsibilities

• Data Licensing & Acquisition: Manage, lead and identify the appropriate administrative process at Harvard for any given data acquisition, which may require working with the Manager of Library Services & Collections at HKS and/or negotiators in Harvard Library, Strategic Procurement, the Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of General Counsel.
• Interpret and review data license and Data Use Agreement (DUA) terms for compliant use of data at HKS.
• Manage licensed data contracts and renewals.
• Build strong relationships with data vendors to enable ongoing positive relationships between HKS and data providers.
• Partner with HKS and Harvard stakeholders to coordinate the review of complex agreements, identify policy and risk considerations, and facilitate appropriate approvals and resolution of contractual issues.
• Lead a team of Data Safety reviewers, working closely with the team to interpret DUA and data license terms into compliant data management plans. Manage, coach, and develop the team while translating RLS strategy into actionable day-to-day work for the team.
• When necessary, conduct risk assessments of incoming contractual research data governed by contract or prospectively collected data and identify mitigating strategies including evaluating sensitivity classification, re-identification risk, security requirements, and downstream use restrictions. Advise RLS leadership on acceptable risk thresholds.
• Serve as escalation point for complex or high-risk data compliance issues.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update SOPs governing access to, use of, and disposition of sensitive and licensed research data at HKS.
• Ensure SOPs align with Harvard University policy, funder/sponsor requirements, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Design and maintain workflows and on- and off-boarding processes for HKS faculty and researchers requesting access to licensed or restricted datasets.
• Deliver training and guidance to HKS researchers and RLS staff on data use agreement obligations and compliance requirements.
• Act as primary liaison between HKS faculty and researchers, data providers, Harvard Library and school libraries, Harvard's Office of General Counsel, and university compliance offices throughout the data acquisition lifecycle.
• Provide regular reporting to the Chief Research Enablement Officer, Director of Research Computing and Data Services, Director of Library Services, and Manager of Library Services & Collections on the School's data licensing portfolio, compliance status, and risk exposure.
• Represent HKS and Harvard in discussions with data vendors, consortia, and peer institutions on licensing and data-sharing matters.

Job description

Harvard Kennedy School seeks a Manager of Data Acquisition and Management reporting to the Director of Research Computing and Data Services. The role leads data licensing, acquisition, and lifecycle management of research data resources used across HKS projects, partnering with Harvard Library, OSP, and GC to ensure compliant, cost-effective data use.

The incumbent will supervise Data Safety reviewers, develop data governance SOPs, and serve as a primary liaison to faculty, researchers, and data