Research Community Manager

30-Oct-2024

Research Community Manager

Harvard Kennedy School

67159BR

Job Summary

The Shorenstein Center is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Research Community Manager to lead and oversee all aspects of our prestigious fellowship programs. This individual will be responsible for managing the full lifecycle of the fellowship program, from application and selection processes to programming and support throughout the fellowship year. The Research Community Manager will collaborate with Center leadership on offer decisions and ensure a positive, engaging experience for fellows and the broader Shorenstein, HKS and Harvard community. In addition, this individual will work closely with Center staff and fellows to develop research outputs for maximum impact for the field and community of practice.  

Position Description

1. Fellowship Management: 

•   Oversee the day-to-day operations of the fellowship program and research community, ensuring smooth coordination and high-level execution of all program activities. 
•  Act as the primary point of contact for fellows and researchers across the Center, providing ongoing support and addressing questions, needs, or concerns. 
•  Collaborate with leadership to finalize the selection of fellows and research affiliates, including managing all aspects of offers and onboarding. 

2. Application Process: 

•  Develop and manage the fellowship application process, including coordinating with communications teams on outreach, managing applicant data, and overseeing the review and selection timeline. 
•  Coordinate with the review committee and Center leadership to evaluate and select fellows based on program goals and priorities. 
•  Organize and facilitate an engaging and informative orientation for new fellows, ensuring they have a strong understanding of the Center’s mission, resources, and expectations. 
• Support fellows as they transition into the program, helping them to integrate into the Center’s community and activities. 

3 Program Development and Coordination: 

•   Design, coordinate, and execute fellowship and research programming throughout the year, including workshops, seminars, and events that contribute to researchers’ professional development and research goals. 
•  Work with the Center's leadership and external stakeholders to curate relevant and impactful content for fellows that aligns with the Center’s mission. 
•  Monitor and evaluate program success, gathering feedback to continually improve the fellowship and researcher experience. 

4. Communication and Collaboration: 

• Maintain regular communication with fellows and researchers, keeping them informed of upcoming events, deadlines, and opportunities. 
• Serve as a liaison between fellows and other departments within the Shorenstein Center, HKS and Harvard, ensuring collaboration with communications, events, and development teams as needed. 
• Facilitate strong connections between fellows and Shorenstein Center, HKS, Harvard, and news/media industry including staff, faculty, and external partners. 

5. Budget and Resource Management: 

• Manage the fellowship program’s budget, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively in support of fellows and program activities. 
• Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration to enhance the fellowship program and outputs. 

6. Other Duties as Assigned: 

• Contribute to the Center’s broader mission by participating in strategic initiatives, attending Center events, and supporting cross-functional projects as needed. 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least 5 years' work experience in a related role, widely defined – tell us how your  previous experiences set you up well for this job.

• Event planning experience, ideally with high-level donors and/or stakeholders (In-person and hybrid events) 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously. 

• Experience and/or interest in roles related to academic or non-profit administration and leadership  

• Ability to think strategically and develop innovative programming aligned with the Shorenstein Center’s goals. 

• Interpersonal skills that demonstrate high emotional intelligence, humility, and an eagerness to learn and grow 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to be responsive and empathetic in professional communications¿and respectful of privacy and discretionary information 

• Equally detail-orientated and a big-picture thinker; and able to easily switch between those two contexts. 

• Comfort with learning new technologies, including database, room reservation, email production/delivery, and form builder systems¿ 

•  Comfortable in leadership and supporting positions  

• Graphic design and/or document prep experience  

• Interest in media, public policy, and emerging technologies 

• Prior experience with stakeholder engagement 
• Master's degree is a plus.

Core Competencies 

• Sound judgment and professionalism; 

• Detail oriented and organized; 

• Inclusiveness; 

• Discretion; 

• Cultural humility; 

• Efficiency/Time Management skills;  

• Collaborative spirit; and 

• Commitment to advancing organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion through role responsibilities

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with possibility of renewal.

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
 
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. 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.
 
Salary Range: $71,139 - $116,397
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
 

Work 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.

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.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405013 Administrator (N)

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

056

Department

Joan Shorenstein Center on the Media, Politics and Public Policy

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

9-5 Monday - Friday

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard Kennedy School’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism
 
At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies. Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.
 

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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