Director, Data & Technology, Alumni Engagement and Development

Harvard University; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits and campus perks

Job summary

Harvard Business School in Boston seeks a strategic leader to serve as Director of Data & Technology for Alumni Engagement and Development. The role shapes technology and data strategy across AE&D, aligning with Harvard-wide IT goals while unlocking alumni value with AI, ML, and advanced analytics.

You will lead cross-functional teams, oversee governance of alumni data, and collaborate with IT, AMD programs, and senior leadership to drive personalized engagement and fundraising initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• At least 5 years in an IT leadership role and 10 years’ information technology experience.
• Experience in higher education, non-profit or technology sectors.
• Ability to influence across a complex organization and lead data/technology initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Drives AE&D’s digital business transformation and prioritizes technology investments.
• Champions data, analytics, and AI to enhance decision-making and personalize alumni engagement.
• Identify opportunities to leverage data and AI/ML across systems to improve efficiency and impact.
• Collaborate with HBS IT to align technology services with school goals.
• Supply strategic stewardship of alumni data and governance while enabling trusted access.
• Oversee AE&D technology pipeline, governance, and major incident response.

Skills

Leadership

Data strategy

AI/ML

Analytics

Stakeholder communication

IT governance

Job description

Director, Data & Technology, Alumni Engagement and Development

• Full-time
• Work Format: Hybrid
• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 060
• Department: Alumni Engagement and Development
• 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:

This position offers a unique opportunity to work across dynamic teams at Harvard Business School. The Sr. Director will drive technology and data strategy for AE&D, ensuring alignment with HBS and Harvard-wide technology while identifying where differentiated HBS capabilities create greater alumni value. You will unlock the value of alumni data using AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to identify untapped alumni, surface engagement and philanthropic opportunities, and enable more personalized outreach. Ideal for someone who enjoys problem-solving, this cross-functional role is perfect for those passionate about helping others thrive in their positions while driving innovation and excellence at Harvard Business School.

As part of the Alumni Engagement and Development (AE&D) team, you will contribute to strengthening the lifelong relationship between alumni and the School by supporting meaningful engagement, learning opportunities, and philanthropic initiatives that advance the HBS mission. As a member of the broader AE&D, MBA, and Doctoral (AMD) programs team, you will consult with and align, as appropriate, data and technologies working closely with staff across teams.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Technology Strategy and Implementation

• Drives AE&D’s digital business transformation, prioritizing technology investments and reshaping processes to be digitally native, scalable, and more effective
• Champion the use of data, analytics, and AI to enhance decision-making, drive insight generation, and enable a more personalized and effective alumni experience
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to leverage data and emerging capabilities, including AI/ML, across systems to improve operational efficiency, scale impact, and unlock new strategic value
• Strengthen coordination and alignment between AE&D and HBS IT on strategic planning and delivery
• Collaborate with IT leadership to align technology service delivery and strategies with goals
• In partnership with HBS IT, use a strategic lens to optimize and implement effective and scalable tools, processes, and procedures across AE&D in support of School or University-wide technology goals
• Effectively communicate decisions about future technology directions to senior leadership at the School
• Providestrategic stewardship of alumni data, partnering across HBS and Harvard to strengthen governance while enabling trusted, responsible access and use. Serve as a consultant/partner across AMD.
• Ensure that contracts for technology tools are properly sourced, executed, and tracked in collaboration with HBS IT
• Oversee coverage of major incidents for AE&D and ensure effective response

Organizational Leadership

• Identify opportunities for innovation and enhancement, leveraging emerging technologies to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and stakeholder engagement
• Partner with and lead cross functional efforts for data and technology efforts across AMD, working closely with data stewards that are embedded in other groups across the department
• Representand advance AE&D technology needs across HBS and Harvard, influencing enterprise decisions and ensuring alumni priorities are considered in broader technology investments and direction
• Lead the AE&D Business Intelligence and Alumni Records teams, including six FTEs and additional contractor support
• Mentor managers and team members, offering various problem-solving tools to guide people, processes, and outcomes

Collaboration and Outreach

• Ensure that AE&D is represented on various HBS or University HBS strategic committees and task forces
• Maintain awareness of changing IT trends and regulations impacting student and alumni lifelong learning
• Prioritize, review, and manage project AE&D’s technology pipeline and portfolio
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience
• At least 5 years in an IT leadership role and 10 years’ information technology experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in higher education, non-profit or technology sectors
• Ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization and influence others to progress toward a common vision or goal
• Experience with principles, practices, methods, and techniques applicable to long-range and strategic technology planning
• Demonstrated experience leading successful implementations of IT systems or tools in a diverse and complex organization
• Ability to communicate, negotiate and thrive in a complex, matrixed, organization and to manage human and organizational dynamics
• Possess a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity, and staff development; and the ability to establish good working relationships with faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, vendors, and other institutional constituencies
• 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
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remoteand onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to beonsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsitecoverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will bedetermined 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.

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 060. 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.