Job Summary

Position Description

• Responsible for the creation and implementation of all special event operations, including all aspects of logistics, faculty and speaker relationships and curriculum development; takes the lead in anticipating and resolving all issues in collaboration with the IOP Director and Executive Director for the IOP?s signature conferences.
• Develops strong working relationships with participating guests, media, and partner organizations.
• Responsible for program recruitment to achieve maximum participation, particularly from newly elected mayors and members of Congress.
• Develops program budgets and exercises full financial management and oversight of conferences and special events.
• Manages all aspects of recruitment and enrollment process, oversees participant outreach, and establishes admissions criteria. Oversees communication strategy and processes with prospective participants.
• Manages support staff assigned to program, ensuring a high level of professionalism, teamwork and focus on participant experience.
• Develops and maintains strong alumni relations through proactive outreach initiatives, fostering a sense of community and engagement. Cultivate meaningful connections with alumni to support ongoing institutional goals and initiatives.
• Establishes program timelines and coordinates all efforts with participants, speakers and staff.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism and focus on program participant experience. Seeks to exceed participant expectations whenever possible.
• Responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with elected officials, senior staff and press.
• Oversees outreach strategy and strategic partnerships for all major IOP conferences and special events. Strategy may include outreach before and after elections, conference participation, third party relationships, recruiting meetings, and/or visits to target groups like US Conference of Mayors and Congressional leadership.
• Contributes to the improvement of programs and department processes and procedures.
• Mentors and supervises Harvard undergraduates and Harvard Kennedy School students in the development and involvement in all student programming aligned with major conferences and events.
• Works as a senior member of the Institute of Politics staff and participates in discussions around management and future initiatives.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor?s Degree and a minimum of 7 years related experience in program or project management.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Masters Degree preferred.
• Graduate or undergraduate degree with interdisciplinary focus strongly preferred (such as public administration, public policy, government, etc.).
• State and local government, higher education or political experience strongly preferred.
• The Director is a professional with good supervisory, organizational, and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Must be comfortable speaking before a group and willing to work nights, weekends and travel.

Additional Information

Benefits

• 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

About Harvard University Kennedy School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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