Senior Program Manager

Why join Harvard University Central Administration? Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university’s overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals. About Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative (H&LS) is dedicated to addressing systemic inequities by developing and advancing visible, lasting, and effective actions grounded in Harvard’s educational mission and guided by the findings and recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery. Sara Bleich, Vice Provost for Special Projects, leads the implementation of the recommendations from the Report of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery. Job Summary The Senior Program Manager (Sr. PM) is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of H&LS’s programmatic portfolio. The portfolio encompasses programs directly managed by H&LS and those funded by H&LS but administered by other Schools/units across the University. Reporting directly to the Director of Administration (DA), the Sr. PM provides strategic direction and management to ensure all programs are successfully launched, delivered, and maintained in support of H&LS’s mission and strategic priorities. The successful candidate will work collaboratively within a dedicated program team, manage key stakeholder relationships, and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio. They will demonstrate capacity to reflect and improve on their own practice, analyze data, examine issues, set relevant goals, and develop approaches to improve and learn. This is a three-year, benefits-eligible term position. Portfolio Strategy & Oversight Provide strategic management for the full lifecycle of H&LS’s programmatic portfolio (e.g., the Du Bois Scholars Program, Reparative Grant Program, and new programmatic initiatives). Oversee a diverse portfolio of programs, managing both those executed internally by the H&LS team and those funded by H&LS but implemented by other Schools/units, ensuring alignment with H&LS’s mission, compliance with funding requirements, and consistent quality and impact. Work closely with the leadership team to develop and implement a long-term growth strategy for the program portfolio, identifying opportunities for new programs. Serve as a thought partner, as appropriate, to leadership on programmatic vision, impact assessment, and future directions. Relationship & Stakeholder Management Serve as the primary point of contact for maintaining and deepening relationships with a wide range of program stakeholders, including Harvard staff, faculty, and students; community partners and organizations; and program participants/alumni. May represent H&LS at meetings, events, and symposia, acting as an ambassador for the department and its programs to internal and external audiences. Program Execution & Delivery Oversee end-to-end program delivery including drafting program charters, building detailed project plans/roadmaps, tracking milestones and metrics, and assigning tasks with clear deadlines (using Asana) to ensure timely execution. Manage complex, multi-disciplinary program portfolio, ensuring effective coordination across various Harvard Schools/Units and local communities (Du Bois Scholars Program, Memorial Project, various grant programs, etc.). Develop reports and presentations that effectively communicate program progress and impact to diverse audiences. Work closely with and mentor the program team, including the Program Manager and Program Coordinator, to foster a high‑performing, collaborative, and service‑oriented team culture. Lead program/team meetings and facilitate communication to ensure alignment on goals, milestones, and project statuses. Continuously assess and improve program‑related processes, policies, and procedures to enhance operational efficiency, effectiveness, and the overall participant experience. Lead in survey efforts including design, data collection and analysis, bias mitigation, etc. to track program performance, measure impact, and inform decision‑making. Monitor program budgets and expenditures to ensure responsible stewardship of funds and accurate record‑keeping; assist DA in annual budget planning. Collaborate with DA to negotiate with and manage vendor/contractor relationships to procure program‑related goods and services. Communications & Outreach Liaise with the Senior Associate Director of Communications to drive a cohesive communications strategy for the program portfolio, including website content, social media, marketing materials, and newsletters. Collaborate with the communications team to develop content that highlights program successes and impact for promotional and reporting purposes. Qualifications Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required. Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in program management, operations or a related field. Additional education or certification, such as PMP, may count toward years of experience. Additional Qualifications and Skills: Demonstrated success in managing complex, multi‑faced programs and portfolios, ideally within a higher education, non‑profit, or research setting. Exceptional relationship management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, including high‑level executives, faculty, and external partners. Experience designing surveys for academic or grant programming contexts, with knowledge of best practices in question wording, response scales, and minimizing bias to support research or program evaluation goals. Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize information, assess program effectiveness, and make data‑driven recommendations. Proven leadership abilities with experience guiding and developing cross‑functional teams. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing high‑level reports, presentations, and communications for varied audiences. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics). Familiarity with project management software and SharePoint is a plus. High degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment, particularly when handling sensitive and confidential information. Additional Information Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week. Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Pre‑Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre‑employment reference and background screenings: Identity and Education. Other Information: A cover letter is required to be considered for this position. This is a 3‑year term position. This position will have a 3‑month orientation and review period. Work Format Details This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non‑Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. 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 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. 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 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr