waypointjobs

SmartRecruiters, Inc.

Program Manager (Government)

cambridge, MA

Check who can apply and the requirements below before continuing.

About this opportunity

SmartRecruiters, Inc. lists this Program Manager (Government) opportunity in cambridge, Massachusetts. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.

Job description

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Salary Grade: 057

Department: Social Sciences - Government

FLSA Status: Exempt

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard's undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard's Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Program Manager is responsible for the strategy, design, and hands-on management of programs within the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of Government. The position plans, develops, and carries out the programs of the Center for American Political Studies (CAPS), a research center within the Department, and exercises independent judgment in program strategy, planning, design, and implementation under the leadership of the Faculty Director and Director of Administration.

Responsibilities include designing, managing, and executing the full portfolio of CAPS programs, outreach and development activities, strategic communications, events, and student and faculty services, as well as supervising a number of staff positions.

The position is split 0.70 FTE - Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) and 0.30 FTE - Program Management for the Department of Government. 4 days of in-person work required.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Based on leadership’s academic and research vision for the Center and the Department, develops and implements strategic plans, establishing priorities, timelines, deliverables, and measures of success.

Translate research, academic, and institutional needs into clearly scoped programs, projects, and administrative requirements, adjusting plans as needed based on ongoing assessment and emerging priorities.

Design, launch, and manage new programs and initiatives from concept through implementation, including cross-disciplinary, public-facing and other strategic programming.

Exercise independent judgment in evaluating and revising program policies, procedures, and offerings to strengthen effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with the Center’s and Department’s mission.

Research and recommend new opportunities for funding, partnerships, and program development in collaboration with CAPS Faculty Director and the Director of Administration.

Lead the Center’s and the Department’s data and analytics function to support evidence-based planning, program evaluation, and more effective decision-making.

Programs and Project Management

Manage day-to-day program operations, including logistics design, coordination, implementation, follow-through, and issue resolution.

Exercise independent judgment and discretion in setting priorities, managing competing demands, and advancing program and operational work with minimal supervision.

Manage student grants, fellowships, and faculty grants programs, including developing guidelines, managing faculty review and selection processes, administering awards, and overseeing funds disbursement.

Oversee annual and rolling funding processes, including student seed grants, graduate dissertation fellowships, undergraduate summer research grants, and faculty grants.

Develop and execute events and programs, managing logistics directly and with support from student workers.

Manage cross-functional projects and initiatives from planning through delivery, coordinating stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables.

Prepare regular progress reports for leadership, faculty committees, and other stakeholders.

Partner with the Faculty Director and Director of Administration on strategy, operations, compliance, reporting, and program priorities.

Support affiliated students and faculty, connecting them with resources, funding, and opportunities, serving as their liaison with other centers/programs.

Outreach & Strategic Communications

Develop and execute communications and outreach strategies, ensuring clear messaging, consistent voice, and alignment with academic and programmatic priorities.

Serve as a liaison to the centralized communications team by gathering and coordinating unit-specific content, updates, calendars, contact information, and other materials needed to support timely and accurate communications.

Represent the Center to internal and external Center constituents across the University and beyond, serving as a primary point of contact for program inquiries and external engagement opportunities.

Conceptualize program and partnership inquiries by clarifying faculty and student priorities, assessing alignment with pre-determined priorities, and determining programmatic feasibility.

Manage constituent cultivation and stewardship efforts, including developing outreach and solicitation strategies, identifying prospective funding sources, and supporting targeted fundraising opportunities in collaboration with the leadership.

Identify, adapt, and use technical tools to improve outreach, communications, constituent management, and engagement tracking.

Staff Management

May supervise and develop support staff and contingent workers

Establish and promote consistent practices, processes, and reporting standards

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree, previous experience in project/relationship management required.

Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in program or project management, preferably in higher education or a research setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Advanced degree preferred

Prior experience supervising full-time staff, including coaching, providing feedback, and managing day to day workload and priorities

Experience designing and launching new academic or public-facing programs

management experience within a development or similarly complex environment strongly preferred.

Experience managing graduate studies programs

Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce polished, high-level communications for varied audiences.

Development experience, including donor cultivation, fundraising, or grants strategy.

Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands across a split appointment serving two units.

Strategic thinking and sound independent judgment in ambiguous situations.

Initiative and self-direction-able able to carry out the substantive work of the role with minimal supervision.

Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive matters.

Strong client relationship management skills

Experience operating comfortably in a fast-paced, high-visibility academic program environment

Strengths in moving fluidly between external client conversations, internal Harvard administrative processes, faculty and student coordination, and detailed program execution.

Experience leading strategic communications across web, email, and social media.

Interest in or familiarity with American politics or the social sciences.

Additional Information

Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Criminal, Education

Other Information: All offers will be made by FAS Human Resources

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 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Worksite address

cambridge, MA, 02140, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.

Ready for your next step?Apply on the official website
Apply on WhatJobs ↗

Explore related searches

Current related jobs

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

WhatJobs

Rep Sales Relief

bronx, NY

See pay details in description

What You Need To Know Shape a remarkable future with us. Build a career working for an industry leader that truly invests in their people – a…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

Mayo Clinic

WhatJobs

Clinical Lab Technologist

saint james, MN

See pay details in description

Why Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we w…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

Sonora Quest Laboratories

WhatJobs

Clinical Lab Assistant I

fallon, NV

Salary not specified

Primary City/State: Fallon, Nevada Department Name: Procurement-Churchill Work Shift: Varied Job Category: Lab Join our team and make a pos…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

CF Industries

WhatJobs

Project Manager, Mega-Project (Blue Point)

modeste, LA

Salary not specified

At CF Industries, our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. Our employees are focused on safe and reliable o…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

Automobile Club Of Missouri

WhatJobs

Life Sales Agent

st louis, MO

Salary not specified

Life Sales Agent Job Summary The Life Specialist Trainee role is an entry-level position for life insurance sales. They present and sell life …

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

Automobile Club Of Missouri

WhatJobs

Sales Agent

st louis, MO

Salary not specified

Sales Agent $100K+ earning potential Comprehensive benefits including pension plan Paid training  Our door is open to talented sales …

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job