Human Resources Assistant, HBS Human Resources

NAAAHR; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plans with university 401(k

Wellbeing and mental health resources

Support for families and caregivers

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits and campus perks

Job summary

Harvard Business School in Boston seeks a highly organized HR Assistant to support a broad range of HR activities. You will welcome visitors, assist with events, communications, and development programs, and help ensure smooth daily operations.

This role requires discretion, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative team. The position offers hybrid work with on-site expectations, and opportunities to contribute to employee experience through programs

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required with potential credit for additional education.
• 3+ years of administrative support experience is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is essential.

Responsibilities

• Front desk and office administration; greet visitors and manage calendar and supplies.
• Provide financial and admin support; handle invoices and weekly sweeps.
• Support Rewards & Recognition programs and payroll coordination tasks.
• Prepare communications; assist with HR digest and staff newsletter notices.
• Assist Learning & Development activities; coordinate courses and spaces.
• Back up other HR projects and engage with colleagues on-site.

Skills

Confidentiality

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• School/Unit Harvard Business School
• Department Human Resources
• Job Function General Administration
• Location Boston
• Job Type Full-time
• Salary Grade 053
• FLSA Status Non-exempt
• Union 99 - Non-Union, Confidential Non-Ex
• Term Appointment No

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.

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.

Why Join HBS Human Resources?

This position offers the opportunity to gain broad exposure to Human Resources while working alongside a collaborative team that supports the HBS community. The HR Assistant will play an important role in keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly and supporting programs that contribute to the employee experience at Harvard Business School.

Job Description

Job Summary

Are you looking to start or expand your career in Human Resources? Do you thrive in a collaborative, creative, and service-focused team environment?

Harvard Business School's Human Resources team is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented HR Assistant to provide administrative, coordination, and program support across a broad range of HR activities.

As a key member of the HR team, you will serve as a welcoming first point of contact for the department while supporting events, communications, learning and development programs, financial and administrative processes, and employee recognition initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, managing multiple priorities, and contributing to a dynamic team.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Front Desk & Office Administration: coordinate HR events, serve as a welcoming and professional front-facing representative of HBS Human Resources in‑person and on the phone, maintain departmental calendar and supplies.
• Financial administration support: process invoices, perform weekly financial sweeps, work with HBS Financial Office to resolve issues.
• Rewards & Recognition (R&R) Program: process requests for R&Rs, working closely with consultants and HBS Payroll.
• Communications: Will work closely with Chief Human Resources Officer on production on the monthly HR Digest and serve as back‑up for the monthly staff newsletter Notices.
• Learning & Development: assist with full range of Learning and Development and employee engagement sessions, including the HBS Orientation Program. Prepare materials, set up and monitor courses in Harvard Training Portal, order supplies, schedule classrooms. Collaborate with colleagues across HBS and other University departments to ensure a high level of service and effective program delivery.
• Other Responsibilities: support additional HR projects and initiatives as needed, often acting as a backup to others. Build trust and collaboration by being present on‑site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents. This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• 3+ years of experience in administrative support role(s) is required.
• Education beyond high school may count toward the required experience.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) experience is a must.

Additional Qualifications And Skills

• A strong commitment to confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• A customer‑service mindset and a commitment to providing a high level of service to colleagues, employees, visitors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Prior experience with content management applications is helpful.
• Familiarity with databases and search techniques is helpful.
• Ability and willingness to learn new systems, processes, and technologies quickly.
• Proficiency with Canva.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week (overtime eligible)
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined 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.

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 053. 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

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

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.