Senior Director Strategy Operations Harvard University Cambridge

Job Description
Duties & ResponsibilitiesReports to and works in close collaboration with the Managing Director of HGSE’s professional education unit, managing a dynamic portfolio of programs, products, and services for PreK-12, higher education, and other education-sector professionals. Leads the general management, organization and delivery of professional education operations, and collaborates with point people for program operations, finance, marketing, admissions, technology, and other administrative functions. Ensures that the operations of the unit are managed effectively and efficiently, particularly in the provision of outstanding service to HGSE faculty and participants.

Works with the Managing Director and other members of the leadership team to develop an entrepreneurial and viable business model that properly aligns resources with strategic priorities for growth and impact. Identifies, develops, and leads strategy regarding changes in infrastructure to support future growth. Ensures high quality support is provided to HGSE faculty in all phases and aspects of the development and delivery of professional education programs. Develops high quality operating principles, policies, and consistent practices for professional education at HGSE. Provides leadership and support for PPE staff to ensure organization is positioned to meet the needs of growth and expansion, and to embrace change initiatives.

Ensures that programs are aligned with the mission of HGSE and contribute positively to the impact model for professional education at the School. Works closely with the Managing Director and Associate Director of Finance and Analytics on financial planning, budget processes, and reporting. Establishes benchmarks and milestones for portfolio performance, and monitors financial position on an ongoing basis to proactively identify and resolve and potential issues. Advances overall financial performance of the unit in line with year-over-year and longer-term goals.

Oversees key vendor and strategic relationships, including direct involvement as necessary depending on the size and the complexity of the relationship. Participates in the identification of new markets, products, and services working closely with the Managing Director and Portfolio Directors. Oversees business development and outreach activities, including managing the working relationship between PPE and HGSE Communications to extend and deepen existing client relationships and to continually build strong and demographically diverse enrollment pipelines and to generate sustainable new business.

With the goal of ongoing business process improvement, oversees relationships with on-campus partners (Operations, IT, Teaching and Learning Lab, Development and Alumni Relations, etc.), and external vendors and service-providers, continuously seeking to improve and strengthen these critical collaborative relationships. Leads the documentation of processes and procedures, including the review of those policies and procedures developed by Programs in Professional Education. Participates in School-wide activities, committees, and work groups as needed.

To achieve ongoing business process improvement, overseas relationships with on-campus partners (Operations, IT, Teaching and Learning Lab, Development and Alumni Relations, etc.), and external vendors and service-providers, to improve and strengthen these critical collaborative relationships. Leads the documentation of processes and procedures, including periodic review of policies and procedures developed by Programs in Professional Education. Participates in Shcool-wide activities, committees, and work groups as needed.
Additional QualificationsMBA or other advanced degree in education or management-related field preferred; Experience managing a dynamic, fast-paced service organization serving multiple constituencies; demonstrated strategic planning skills and experience, particularly in scaling operations; Demonstrated ability to build strong, productive relationships with a range of stakeholders; Effective team-building skills and experience motivating, supervising, and supporting the professional development of staff to achieve overall organizational goals; Excellent oral and written communication, presentation and negotiation skills; Strong organizational, analytical, financial, planning and management skills; Flexibility and adaptability with a positive, solution-oriented approach to opportunities and challenging situations; High level of attention to detail and the ability to communicate vision and set direction for the planning and execution of outstanding service across multiple functions; Willingness to provide ground-level operational support as needed, including potential need to work nights and/or weekends during busy periods.