Harvard Kennedy School
Senior Director, Student Engagement and City Careers, Bloomberg Center for Citie
Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, us, 02140
Overview
Senior Director, Student Engagement and City Careers, Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University seeks a dynamic, results‑oriented leader to grow and elevate the Center’s efforts to develop the next generation of city leaders and scholars focused on urban challenges. This is a strategic and hands‑on role to connect Harvard students with cities and urban problem‑solving, drawing students from across Harvard Schools through fellowships, internships, co‑curricular programming, and a wide range of real‑world learning experiences and jobs in city government.
Responsibilities
Lead a team (currently 4 staff reports) responsible for a broad portfolio of student‑facing programs and opportunities, including fellowships, internships, research assistant recruitments, field‑based learning, student engagement events, alumni connections, and other co‑curricular and experiential learning pathways that connect students to cities and urban public service.
Oversee and expand key, high‑profile fellowship programs, with responsibility for recruitment, effective scoping and development of high‑quality project descriptions, and seamless execution. Programs include the Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship for graduating Harvard master’s students and the Graduate and Undergraduate Summer Fellowships that place Harvard students in 10‑week roles in cities on high‑impact projects.
Build and strengthen the infrastructure needed to expand student pathways into public service, including connecting students with full‑time roles, internships, and fellowships in city government; advising and supporting students seeking careers, research experiences, or other engagement with city public service; engaging faculty and city leaders to surface high‑quality city job and project opportunities.
Strengthen the Center’s visibility and presence among students through events, co‑curricular programming, student groups, study groups, and other community‑building strategies across the University; partner with faculty to advance student involvement in field courses, theses, and research that support city hall priorities; serve as a strategic thought partner across the Center and Initiative on issues related to student engagement, talent development, and career support.
Develop and steward systems and partnerships with collaborators across Harvard schools and externally to enhance the Center’s student‑facing efforts; track and elevate alumni outcomes using data, storytelling, and relationship management to demonstrate the real‑world impact of student participants.
This is a full‑time, on‑campus position based in Cambridge, MA.
Qualifications Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in program leadership, student engagement, public service, or related fields.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Master’s degree preferred.
Strong leadership experience and people management skills, with a track record of building and managing high‑performing teams and delivering outcomes.
Proven track record designing, launching, and scaling programs that provide hands‑on learning experiences, mentorship, or career support for early‑career professionals, students, or public‑sector talent.
Knowledge of public service, city governance, and urban innovation; understanding of challenges and opportunities facing cities.
Ability to build and steward partnerships across a complex institutional environment and with external stakeholders.
Ability to help city leaders scope meaningful projects and job descriptions by listening, asking incisive questions, and translating needs into compelling, student‑ready opportunities.
Excellent judgment, discretion, and problem‑solving skills; ability to navigate sensitive issues and maintain relationships.
Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of initiating and sustaining programs in fast‑paced settings.
Skilled communicator with experience presenting to diverse audiences, including city officials, university officials, faculty, students, and donors.
Mission‑driven and energized by inspiring the next generation of civic leaders.
Additional Information
Appointment End Date: (not specified)
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, Education, Criminal, etc. as required
Work Format: On‑campus with possible remote work options; location must align with Harvard payroll requirements
Benefits
Generous paid time off, parental leave
Medical, dental, and vision insurance starting day one
Retirement plans with university contributions
Mental health resources and wellbeing programs
Professional development, tuition assistance and reimbursement
Commuter benefits and campus perks
EEO 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.
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Responsibilities
Lead a team (currently 4 staff reports) responsible for a broad portfolio of student‑facing programs and opportunities, including fellowships, internships, research assistant recruitments, field‑based learning, student engagement events, alumni connections, and other co‑curricular and experiential learning pathways that connect students to cities and urban public service.
Oversee and expand key, high‑profile fellowship programs, with responsibility for recruitment, effective scoping and development of high‑quality project descriptions, and seamless execution. Programs include the Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship for graduating Harvard master’s students and the Graduate and Undergraduate Summer Fellowships that place Harvard students in 10‑week roles in cities on high‑impact projects.
Build and strengthen the infrastructure needed to expand student pathways into public service, including connecting students with full‑time roles, internships, and fellowships in city government; advising and supporting students seeking careers, research experiences, or other engagement with city public service; engaging faculty and city leaders to surface high‑quality city job and project opportunities.
Strengthen the Center’s visibility and presence among students through events, co‑curricular programming, student groups, study groups, and other community‑building strategies across the University; partner with faculty to advance student involvement in field courses, theses, and research that support city hall priorities; serve as a strategic thought partner across the Center and Initiative on issues related to student engagement, talent development, and career support.
Develop and steward systems and partnerships with collaborators across Harvard schools and externally to enhance the Center’s student‑facing efforts; track and elevate alumni outcomes using data, storytelling, and relationship management to demonstrate the real‑world impact of student participants.
This is a full‑time, on‑campus position based in Cambridge, MA.
Qualifications Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in program leadership, student engagement, public service, or related fields.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Master’s degree preferred.
Strong leadership experience and people management skills, with a track record of building and managing high‑performing teams and delivering outcomes.
Proven track record designing, launching, and scaling programs that provide hands‑on learning experiences, mentorship, or career support for early‑career professionals, students, or public‑sector talent.
Knowledge of public service, city governance, and urban innovation; understanding of challenges and opportunities facing cities.
Ability to build and steward partnerships across a complex institutional environment and with external stakeholders.
Ability to help city leaders scope meaningful projects and job descriptions by listening, asking incisive questions, and translating needs into compelling, student‑ready opportunities.
Excellent judgment, discretion, and problem‑solving skills; ability to navigate sensitive issues and maintain relationships.
Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of initiating and sustaining programs in fast‑paced settings.
Skilled communicator with experience presenting to diverse audiences, including city officials, university officials, faculty, students, and donors.
Mission‑driven and energized by inspiring the next generation of civic leaders.
Additional Information
Appointment End Date: (not specified)
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, Education, Criminal, etc. as required
Work Format: On‑campus with possible remote work options; location must align with Harvard payroll requirements
Benefits
Generous paid time off, parental leave
Medical, dental, and vision insurance starting day one
Retirement plans with university contributions
Mental health resources and wellbeing programs
Professional development, tuition assistance and reimbursement
Commuter benefits and campus perks
EEO 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