Faculty Assistant (68163BR)

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant academic community as a Faculty Assistant at a renowned institution. This role offers a unique opportunity to support distinguished faculty while enhancing your administrative skills. Engage with a diverse group of colleagues, contribute to impactful projects, and enjoy professional development in a supportive environment. With generous benefits, including tuition assistance and comprehensive health coverage, you'll thrive in a collaborative culture that values your contributions. Make a difference in the lives of students and faculty while advancing your career in a dynamic setting.

Benefits

Generous Time Off

Tuition Assistance

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Professional Development Programs

Retirement Contributions

Child and Elder Care Resources

Discounted Public Transportation

Access to Athletic Facilities

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Work Arrangements

Qualifications

• 2+ years of office administration experience, including customer service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and adaptability to new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Manage course delivery and support faculty with administrative tasks.
• Coordinate events, manage calendars, and assist with recruitment processes.

Skills

Office Administration

Customer Service

Microsoft Office Suite

Event Planning

Calendar Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Canvas

Job description

Are you drawn to the community and energy of being on a college campus? Can you see yourself supporting distinguished academics? If so, consider joining our team as a Faculty Assistant at Harvard Kennedy School. Faculty Assistants work closely with faculty to make valued contributions in support of Harvard Kennedy School’s mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.

Position Description

What you’ll do:

1. Manage course delivery: get copyright clearances for course readings and post them on Canvas (online course website), track student work, liaise with guests, coordinate audiovisual support, organize in-class activities, manage office hours for faculty
2. Communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the faculty, possibly assist with faculty recruitment or promotion processes
3. Manage complex calendars, travel arrangements, and expense reimbursements
4. Proofread documents, retrieve research resources, and submit materials for publishing and distribution on campus and globally
5. Plan events: communicate with guests, reserve rooms, order catering, and manage all logistics
6. Prepare meeting documentation, manage filing systems, and maintain office inventory
7. Collaborate with fellow Faculty Assistants on projects and departmental activities
8. Move projects forward and continually look for ways to leverage faculty time

Who you are:

1. You set a high bar for yourself with attention to detail and strong customer service
2. You know how to be helpful even when you don’t have the answer
3. Adaptability is second nature; with constant change, you are flexible and receptive to feedback
4. You are comfortable juggling competing priorities, reporting to multiple supervisors, and accommodating a broad range of workstyles
5. You work well independently and contribute as a valuable team member
6. People describe you as reliable – you always follow through and strive to surpass expectations
7. You’ve worked in an office environment before and are proficient with Microsoft Office

Why you’ll love this job:

1. Make an impact helping others achieve their goals by utilizing your administrative skills
2. Build relationships with a diverse group of faculty and colleagues in a collaborative culture
3. Practice on-the-job learning in a supportive environment with continuous professional training
4. Grow your career here – be exposed to the inner workings of a world-renowned public policy and leadership school
5. Access the numerous Harvard benefits including generous time off and retirement contribution, taking a course or achieving an advanced degree for as little as $40/class, and much more!

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of related experience including demonstrated office administration and customer service experience.
• Internships will count toward experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor’s degree preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and internet tools, with a willingness to learn new technologies. Demonstrated experience prioritizing tasks to changing needs and seeing tasks to completion in a timely manner. Proficient written and spoken English.

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending June 30, 2026, with possibility of renewal.

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.

Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.

Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Salary Range: $55,806 - $87,169. Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary caregivers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on-campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

403028 Faculty Assistant II

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard Kennedy School’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism

At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies. Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.