Hybrid Assistant Director, Doctoral Programs & Advising

Harvard University; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Business School in Boston is seeking an experienced administrator to join the Doctoral Programs Office. You will focus on student advising, admissions processes, and professional development, supporting 120+ doctoral students across seven programs.

This role involves collaboration with faculty chairs and GSAS partners to manage policies, events, and data workflows. You will contribute to enrollment strategy, partner with colleagues on career planning, and help ensure a positive student

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in higher education administration.
• Proficiency to interpret and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as good judgment.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work as part of a team.
• Experience with admissions, student advising, or program management preferred.
• Comfort working with data, reporting, and student information systems.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary contact for current students on departmental policies and requirements, academic resources, research, and job market planning; refers students appropriately to staff, faculty, and University resources for assistance.
• Partners with faculty advisors and chairs to ensure the success of each student and to maintain policies and program requirements. Provides recommendations and implements changes to the program.
• Conducts annual yearly meetings with students and supports the annual planning and progress review process with faculty chairs.
• Advises students in assigned programs, partnering with colleagues in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
• Plans and oversees complex student events, including month-long orientation program and professional development opportunities.
• Works closely with the Doctoral Programs leadership team to build a broad, diverse, and large admissions pipeline; advises prospective students. Represents the programs at recruiting events and leads regular information sessions.
• Evaluates applications and provides detailed notes to faculty chairs; participates in first-round interviews.
• Supports faculty throughout the admissions process by serving as a liaison as faculty evaluate, interview, and make admissions decisions; manages interview scheduling, logistics, and communications with applicants and recommenders.
• Maintains admissions data and tracks decisions throughout the cycle; partners with GSAS Admissions and HBS IT to ensure a smooth transfer of admissions data to HBS systems; updates admissions analyses and reports annually.
• Manages the Admitted Students Program, the annual yield event. Works with the team to support logistics.
• 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.

Job description

Harvard Business School in Boston is seeking an experienced administrator to join the Doctoral Programs Office. You will focus on student advising, admissions processes, and professional development, supporting 120+ doctoral students across seven programs.

This role involves collaboration with faculty chairs and GSAS partners to manage policies, events, and data workflows. You will contribute to enrollment strategy, partner with colleagues on career planning, and help ensure a positive student