Faculty Assistant & Project Coordinator

Harvard Kennedy School; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision health ins

Retirement plans with university Con

Tuition assistance and professionaldev

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Kennedy School seeks a Faculty Assistant/Project Coordinator to support faculty in mission-driven education and research. You will help manage course delivery, calendars, events, and field lab activities while coordinating with faculty, staff, and guest participants.

You will handle administrative tasks, prepare documents, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders. A 3-year officeSupport background and proficiency with Canvas and Microsoft Office are essential.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of related experience including demonstrated office administration and customer service experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and internet tools, with an aptitude for technology and willingness to learn new technologies.
• Demonstrated experience prioritizing tasks to changing needs and seeing tasks to completion in a timely manner.
• Prior academic research and writing experience. Interest in government/public policy.
• Proficient written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Manage course delivery: copyright clearances for readings, post on Canvas, track student work, liaise with guests, coordinate audiovisual support, organize in-class activities, and manage faculty office hours.
• Serve as principal source of information on unit policies and advise faculty, students or staff.
• Manage and schedule complex calendars, travel arrangements, expenses, and grant management.
• Prepare meeting documentation, filing systems, and assist with keeping faculty website up to date.
• Draft, edit, and prepare correspondence, annual reports, and other materials.
• Communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the faculty.
• Assist faculty on research projects, grant proposals, recommendations, and team exercises.
• Plan events: coordinate rooms, catering, and logistics.
• Coordinate tasks for the Greater Boston Field Lab and participate in field lab activities.
• Organize student field trips and meetings with local officials and department leaders.
• Attend external events as a guest of a faculty member to represent programs.
• Move projects forward and optimize faculty time.
• Collaborate with Faculty Assistants on projects and department activities.
• Organize and implement administrative systems and procedures.

Skills

Office administration

Customer service

Event planning

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Canvas

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.

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 Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

Job Summary

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/Project Coordinator at Harvard Kennedy School. Faculty Assistants/Program Coordinators 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.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

What you’ll do

• 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, and manage office hours for faculty including overseeing the teaching team (of teaching fellows and course assistants)
• Serve as principal source of information on established unit/project/program policies and advises faculty, students or staff
• Manage and schedule complex calendars, travel arrangements, and expense reimbursements, and grant management
• Prepare meeting documentation, manage filing systems, maintain office inventory, and assist with keeping faculty website up to date
• Draft, edit, and prepare correspondence, annual reports, and other materials using word processing, spreadsheets and/or databases
• Communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the faculty, possibly assisting with faculty recruitment or promotion processes
• Assist faculty members with research projects, grant proposals, recommendations, and team exercises
• Plan events: communicate with guests, reserve rooms, order catering, and manage all logistics
• Coordinate and have direct responsibility for tasks related to the Greater Boston Field Lab, this requires helping in the field lab class for at least one evening per week
• Organize student field trips and logistics to local communities, meetings with mayors, and department leaders and participate as part of the team
• Attend external events as a guest of a faculty member, helping represent our programs and activities to others
• Move projects forward and continually look for ways to leverage and protect faculty time
• Collaborate with fellow Faculty Assistants on projects and departmental activities
• Organize and implement administrative systems and procedures performing necessary support duties

Who you are

• You set a high bar for yourself with attention to detail and strong customer service
• You know how to be helpful even when you don’t have the answer
• Adaptability is second nature; with constant change, you are flexible and enthusiastic about participating in student field trips and events
• You are well-organized and attentive to detail
• You are able to communicate well with different communication and work-styles
• You are comfortable juggling competing priorities, reporting to multiple supervisors, and accommodating a broad range of work-styles
• You work well independently and contribute as a valuable team member
• People describe you as reliable - you always follow through and strive to surpass expectations
• You’ve worked in an office environment before for at least 3 years and are proficient with Microsoft Office
• You have experience with working at Harvard University or a similar institution and are familiar with CANVAS

Why you’ll love this job

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

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

A minimum of 3 years of related experience including demonstrated office administration and customer service experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor’s degree preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and internet tools, with an aptitude for technology and willingness to learn new technologies. Demonstrated experience prioritizing tasks to changing needs and seeing tasks to completion in a timely manner. Prior academic research and writing experience. Interest in research related to government, public finance, the cost of wars and environment. Proficient written and spoken English.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: June 30, 2027, with strong possibility of renewal
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information: Classes led by one of the faculty members will involve adjusting your schedule to be available some evenings during the spring semester.

Work Format Details

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 054. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• 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.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.