Job Listings

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

63615BR

Position Description

The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is home to over 4,800 Master's and PhD students in 57 divisions, departments and committees across the University. The Assistant Director of Advising Research will advance advising and mentoring practices at Harvard Griffin GSAS, working with senior leadership to develop strategy that implements an advising vision for the School.

Reporting to the Dean for Academic Programs, and working closely with the Dean for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging and Special Projects Advisor, the Assistant Director of Advising Research will organize and carry out efforts to gather information about best practices in graduate advising and mentoring. They will analyze current practices and resources at Harvard and elsewhere, identify important challenges, and draft a plan for improvement.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Researching advising practices at peer institutions
• Reviewing  advising survey results, surfacing concerns, and informing advising conversations with programs
• Preparing resources to help both advisors and advisees make the best use of their connections and relationships
• Maintaining a website on advising and regularly sharing the resource with the Harvard Griffin GSAS community
• Regularly communicating with diverse groups of faculty, student, and administrators in multiple formats, including: 
  • Newsletters
  • Storytelling/blogs/video in close collaboration with the Office of Communications
  • Meetings
• Working with senior leadership to implement advising recommendations of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions and Graduate Education (GAGE) working group. The GAGE working group is tasked with recommending enhancements to the admissions and educational processes.

This position will also work closely with the Dean of Harvard Griffin GSAS, the Dean of Students, Director of Communications, the Assistant Director of Advising Education, and other University administrators, faculty, and graduate students.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• A PhD in a field offered by Harvard Griffin GSAS (see gsas.harvard.edu/programs for a list) strongly preferred.
• Seeking a candidate with strong interest in graduate education and knowledge of and/or passion for best practices in mentoring and advising programs in higher education.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, data analysis and survey development skills, and demonstrated experience facilitating meetings and discussions preferred.
• Ability to handle shifting priorities and work on multiple tasks simultaneously with meticulous attention to detail.
• Harvard or higher education experience a plus.
• High level of independent judgment, initiative, discretion, collegiality, integrity, and empathy required.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid position with a schedule to be established of days on Campus in Cambridge, MA and day(s) that can be worked remotely.

Additional Information

The position has a 3 year term. 

We regret that Harvard Griffin GSAS is not able to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Some travel required.

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.

Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• 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 care givers.
• 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
Faculty & Student Services

Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code
S0557P FSS Academic Affairs Oficr III

Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department
Harvard Griffin GSAS

Sub-Unit
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Time Status
Full-time

Salary Grade
057

Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.

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