Job Information
Harvard University DKP Learn Senior Director of Research, Projects, and Engagement in Cambridge, Massachusetts
65900BRAuto req ID:65900BRJob Code:361058 Administrative Manager Department Office Location:USA - MA - Cambridge Business Title:DKP Learn Senior Director of Research, Projects, and EngagementSub-Unit:Social Sciences Salary Grade (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges) :058Time Status:Full-time Union:00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary Basic Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
Skills and Experience: Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with a minimum of 7 years of related work experience on program management/operations/administration and strategy development, including overseeing personnel and/or demonstrated leadership at the leadership level of an organization.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Master's degree or PhD is strongly preferred. Meaningful experience with grants/sponsored awards. Entrepreneurial spirit with leadership experience in motivating and empowering individuals to work toward common goals. Comfort with ambiguity; patience, enthusiasm, and willingness to work toward answers. Zeal for piecing together operational nuts and bolts. Research and/or project implementation experience with K-12 settings and/or populations, particularly in social studies/history/civics, is preferred. A degree in a related field of study is a plus. Substantial writing experience, especially in the context of fundraising and grants management. Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Must have ability to represent the Faculty Director and DKP Learn at all levels of the University and with external constituents, including donors, foundations, scholars, policy makers, Harvard alumni and peer institutions. Familiarity with Harvard desirable. Demonstrated success leading collaborative projects and achieving exceptional operational results.
Additional Information:
This term position will be renewed annually, based on strategy and funding availability.
We regret that we will not be able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
Department:Edmond & Lily Safra Center for EthicsPre-Employment Screening:Education, IdentityJob Function:General Administration Position Description:
The Senior Director of Research and Projects (SDRP) will be the lead staff position for DKP Learn. The SDRP is responsible with significant independence for ensuring the operational success, measurable impact, and fundraising of DKP Learn while leveraging the PI’s national reputation as a leader in multiple fields, and representing the organization among key constituencies and external stakeholders. Candidates must demonstrate effective leadership in an academic setting, exceptional communication and organization skills, and a track record in overseeing high impact projects.
The SDRP will oversee the rigorous design, timely execution, and measurable impact of multiple work streams, a team of 10 staff members and temp and student workers, multiple other contributors, project deliverables, funding sources, and collaborations. The role will work closely with Professor Allen to understand and deliver on the vision, strategy, and impact of DKP Learn.
Duties:
Research Design and Oversight
Provide high-level oversight and strategic direction to DKP Learn projects.Ensure each project defines and adheres to a clear scope, set of deliverables, timeline, evaluation mechanism, and accountability to highest standards for rigor and impact.
Partner with PI to ideate, design, and develop new and expanded research and programmatic work streams.
Stakeholder Engagement and Impact
Build and strengthen relationships with leaders in the field of practice and with academic institutions and scholars within Harvard and beyond.
Raise the visibility of DKP Learn by maintaining a public profile within the field, engaging with relevant boards and councils, public speaking, and media relations.
Resource Development
Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising initiative targeting sponsored awards as well as endowment and current-use funds.
Identify and solicit prospective donors and funders, including regular meetings and travel, developing proposals, and making presentations.
Serve with Professor Allen as primary stewards of existing funders and donors and senior leadership from across the University.
Personnel and Administrative Management
Oversee the entire DKP Learn team, including weekly team meetings, personnel management, and related administrative duties as needed.
Directly supervise team members, including the Program Assistant, Curriculum Resources and Projects Coordinator, and a new TBD role, the EAD PD Director.
Support other DKP leadership team members, including the Director of Professional Learning and project-specific Principal Investigators.
Work with Center administrative leadership on DKP Learn operations, ensuring compliance, budgeting and reporting, and bringing on faculty and institutional collaborators.
This term position will be renewed annually, based on strategy and funding availability.
School/Unit:Faculty of Arts and Sciences 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.Job Summary:
This is a grant-funded position situated within the Democratic Knowledge Project (DKP), a civic education initiative currently housed at the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics (ELSCE) at Harvard University. The DKP is directed by Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor, at Harvard. The research and development arm of the Democratic Knowledge Project is called “DKP Learn.”
The mission of the DKP is to prepare students in K-12 and higher ed to live in a healthy constitutional democracy. For over more than 10 years, the DKP has done this by co-creating high-quality civics curricular resources with educators, researching civic learning, offering professional learning opportunities, and developing assessment tools to measure civic learning.
The mission of the DKP is carried out by two distinct but collaborating entities. “DKP Learn” focuses on research and development, particularly in the professional learning space for K-12 educators; DKP Learn is also beginning to invest more time and effort in civic learning in higher ed. “DKP Launch” operates out of a 501c3 non-profit (Partners in Democracy-Education) and focuses on implementation, at scale, of the DKP’s year-long 8th grade civics curriculum in MA.
The role will report directly to Professor Allen. The role will work in close collaboration with Professor Allen and others on the DKP leadership team, including Tina Blythe (DKP Director of Professional Development) at Project Zero at the Graduate School of Education and Dr. David Kidd (Chief Assessment Scientist, Design Studio). The role will oversee multiple full-time staff members at the DKP, including the DKP Program Assistant and Curriculum Resources and Projects Coordinator, as well as part time temporary employees, graduate students, and external vendors/consultants.
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.Benefits:We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) 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.
Work Format:Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote) LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-JB1Work Format Details:This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.