Associate Director, Program in General Education

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 the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

Manage and plan academic affairs operations including faculty support, curriculum management and training.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of the Program in General Education, the Associate Director provides program leadership and critical pedagogical and administrative support for the 75 General Education courses offered each year and the diverse range of faculty and teaching staff who teach these courses. Leading academic and administrative planning processes for Gen Ed courses, the Associate Director identifies, devises and assesses solutions for programmatic and pedagogical needs; develops and implements programs, services and resources for faculty and their teaching staff; and advises them collectively and individually as needed.

The Associate Director assists the Director in formulating policies and procedures and recommends improvements to overall course administration and support. The Associate Director works closely with other members of the senior leadership team to maintain and promote the quality of the program’s academic offerings by contributing substantially to the strategic planning and design of the program, improving student support , and advising faculty and teaching fellows/assistants to promote high-quality learning experiences. The Associate Director manages a team of two grade-55 Course Coordinators responsible for the day-to-day support for the courses.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Collaborates with the Director on leadership of the Program in General Education through strategic planning and representing the department on various committees and working groups.
 

• Works interdepartmentally on large-scale projects, such as the joint Harvard College Curriculum resource creation.
• Serves as de-facto director when the Director is out of the office.
   

2. Manages a team of two grade-55 Course Coordinators who perform all administrative responsibilities for the Program in General Education including all logistical support for courses (staffing, space, field trips, guest speakers, course materials, etc.).
 

3. Collaborates with the director on strategic leadership for pedagogical support for Gen Ed faculty and courses.
 

• Provides pedagogical support and training to encourage adoption of major pedagogical initiatives set by FAS and the Gen Ed Faculty Standing Committee, such as AI, grading, course engagement, and curricular design.
   
• Partners and consults with faculty and TFs on course innovation projects and troubleshoots challenges identified in course reviews to ensure high-quality learning experiences for students.
   
• Leads trainings and develops resources for faculty and teaching staff (e.g. Head TF Orientation, templates, guides and manuals).
   
• Collaborates with the Bok Center for Teaching and Learning .
   

4. Supports the implementation of key strategic pedagogical initiatives across the Harvard College Curriculum programs (including Expository Writing and the First-Year Seminar Program), such as the curricular response to GenAI and the adoption of other emerging educational technologies.
 

5. Acts as the office’s first responder and representative for emergent and/or sensitive concerns, including employment or labor issues that involve the HGSU-UAW union; coordinating with local offices such as General Counsel and the Office of Labor and Employee Relations as necessary.
 

6. Compiles, analyzes, and provides data as requested by the Standing Committee on General Education, Office of the President, the Dean of FAS and/or Harvard College, HPAC, Admissions, Development, and other stakeholders.

7. Other duties as needed.

Working Conditions: The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs and objectives and consistent with College Policy, which requires 5 days on-site in Cambridge, MA during term time (first day of classes through commencement), with the exception of student breaks. 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 about the College policy 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.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Ph.D. preferred.
• Direct supervisory experience preferred.
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of effective pedagogical practices and teaching methodologies.
• Ability to quickly learn, adopt, and promote emerging technologies and instructional tools.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive professional relationships with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.
• Experience developing productive partnerships and working relationships with faculty members.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and effectively balance competing priorities.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date:
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable):
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:

  The Program in General Education is a set of courses and requirements outside the concentration (major) that all 6,500 undergraduates in Harvard College must fulfill. Courses in General Education address urgent problems or enduring questions and are unusually explicit in connecting the subjects students study to the people they will become and the world beyond the classroom. In addition to the General Education requirement, the office supports the College’s divisional distribution and Quantitative Reasoning with Data requirements.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• 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.