Manager, Project on Impact Investing

Overview Harvard University seeks to advance its world-changing mission through a diverse and welcoming environment. Harvard Business School (HBS) fosters innovation, collaboration, and skill-building across its campuses and programs. Job Description Project on Impact Investing Harvard Business School seeks a Manager, Project on Impact Investing to work closely with Professors Shawn Cole and Josh Lerner in advancing the HBS Project on Impact Investing. The project combines rigorous academic research with close engagement with investors, policymakers, and practitioners to deepen understanding of sustainable and impact investing and inform practice in the field. Reporting directly to the faculty supervisors and administratively to the Research Staff Services (RSS) office, the Manager will play an integral role across all aspects of the project’s work, including designing and executing research, building and maintaining datasets, and supporting practitioner engagement and dissemination of research. This position is suited to candidates with experience in consulting, finance, economic research, or mission-driven financial services who want to deepen their research skills while contributing to high-impact academic work. Previous individuals in this role have progressed to leading PhD programs or careers in impact investing, financial services, and social enterprise. Primary Responsibilities Research and Analysis Conduct quantitative and qualitative research in support of faculty research projects on sustainable and impact investing. Use AI-enabled research tools, large language models (LLMs), machine learning techniques, and traditional methods to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret complex datasets. Develop and maintain novel datasets to support ongoing academic research. Perform data analysis, literature reviews, and other analytical work for research published in leading journals and practitioner outlets. Conduct interviews and code qualitative research data. Draft research memoranda, presentations, reports, and other materials for academic and practitioner audiences. Produce case studies, teaching notes, and course materials for HBS courses. Identify opportunities to strengthen research methodologies and data collection processes and apply emerging analytical tools. Project Management Coordinate multiple concurrent research projects, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and timelines are met. Manage relationships with external collaborators and practitioners, representing the faculty and the Project on Impact Investing. Support the collection of research documentation and data through outreach to participating organizations and stakeholders. Coordinate research operations, including budgets, research agreements (NDAs and DUAs), meetings, and logistics. Plan and support conferences, research convenings, webinars, and other events that advance the project’s research and engagement. Research Dissemination and External Engagement Support dissemination of research findings through presentations, publications, digital platforms, and practitioner outreach. Maintain project websites and digital resources in collaboration with Marketing & Communications. Collaborate with colleagues across HBS to support research-related programming and communications. Represent the project professionally in interactions with investors, company executives, policymakers, researchers, alumni, and other external stakeholders. Other Responsibilities Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging with colleagues and constituents. Responsible for other duties as assigned. Scope of the Role The Manager will have significant responsibility for advancing multiple research initiatives, requiring intellectual curiosity, analytical judgment, and the ability to translate complex questions into actionable work plans. The role offers opportunities to contribute to academic research, case development, and practitioner publications, with potential co-authorship on selected projects. It also offers opportunities to learn new research methodologies and to take advanced coursework at Harvard. Because the project collaborates with senior leaders across finance, investing, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the successful candidate must demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and excellent interpersonal skills in representing HBS externally. The Manager will work independently with general guidance from faculty while ensuring compliance with university policies and applicable research requirements. Please note: the internal and official job title for this role is Project Manager, Project on Impact Investing. If you are hired for the role, your title will be Project Manager, Project on Impact Investing. Qualifications Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in consulting, economic research, finance, investment management, impact investing, nonprofit financial services, public policy, or another analytically rigorous field. Demonstrated experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Ability to work independently with sound judgment and to advance complex projects. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. Ability to synthesize complex information into clear written products for diverse audiences. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Additional Qualifications: Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, public policy, or related discipline preferred. Experience conducting rigorous quantitative and/or qualitative research, including data collection, cleaning, analysis, and interpretation. Strong interest in impact investing, sustainable finance, financial markets, or economic development. Experience in consulting, finance, investment management, or other research-intensive environments. Excellent organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with faculty, researchers, practitioners, investors, and partners. Experience with statistical or programming software such as R, Python, or STATA is preferred. Familiarity with AI-enabled research tools, LLMs, and modern research workflows is desirable. Demonstrated curiosity, initiative, and enthusiasm for learning new research methods. The successful candidate will have high standards for quality, accuracy, and attention to detail, with a collaborative approach to research and learning. Additional Information Appointment End Date: June 30, 2027. This is a full-time term appointment through June 30, 2027, with potential for extension. All HBS research roles are structured as one-year appointments. Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Pre-Employment Screening: Education, Identity Hybrid Work: This position is hybrid with on-site requirement at the Boston campus. On-site days are determined by business needs and may change with notice. A cover letter is required; a writing sample, transcript, and (as applicable) a code sample may be requested for review by a statistics team. Benefits Generous paid time off including parental leave Medical, dental, and vision health insurance 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, campus perks Learn more about benefits on the Harvard Benefits page. EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy outlining commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Conditions. Workplace Diversity, LLC.