Assistant Director, Research Management

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Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.

Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

The mission of Harvard Business School (HBS) is to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Within HBS, the Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD) helps to build and develop the faculty and facilitates the creation of enduring knowledge that shapes both business scholarship and the practice of business by providing unparalleled faculty support. The School’s largest administrative department, the DRFD houses approximately 350 full-time and part-time staff members.

As a premier service organization, and in collaboration with colleagues across the School, the DRFD staff delivers high-touch, customized support to the faculty, demonstrating solid judgment and high standards of responsiveness and professionalism.

Research Staff Services (RSS) provides comprehensive administrative and operational support for the recruitment, onboarding, development, and management of over 600 research and teaching staff, while supporting more than 200 faculty members, 10+ multi-faculty research initiatives, and the D³ Institute earch staff include Research Associates, Predoctoral Fellows, Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Managers, and all Teaching Fellows supporting HBS faculty.

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Assistant Director, RSS is one of two roles on a three-person team. Each Assistant Director manages a defined portfolio of faculty relationships and provides administrative oversight of research staff, collaborating closely to ensure consistent service delivery, shared standards, and alignment across RSS operations.

This role exercises a high degree of independent judgment and operational leadership in supporting faculty research needs and enhancing the effectiveness of the research staff workforce. The Assistant Director partners closely with faculty, researchers, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment of talent, resources, and training with evolving research priorities.

The role operates in close collaboration with the RSS team, HBS Human Resources, the D³ Institute, and the Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD), and contributes to strategic initiatives that strengthen research support infrastructure across HBS.

The formal title for this role internally is Assistant Director, Research Staff Services.

• Manage a defined portfolio of exempt research staff (~70 per Assistant Director), serving as the primary point of contact for faculty and researchers, providing ongoing coaching, performance management, and support to ensure effective research staff engagement and outcomes.
• Apply sound judgment in navigating complex and sensitive situations, including performance concerns, faculty–researcher dynamics, and policy interpretation, balancing individual needs with institutional guidelines and expectations.
• Oversee key lifecycle processes for the portfolio, including onboarding, performance reviews, reappointments, and transitions, ensuring consistency, compliance, and a high-quality experience while coordinating with HR and other partners as needed.
• Provide coaching and advisory support to researchers, identifying development opportunities and delivering targeted training initiatives to strengthen capabilities and career readiness.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive training strategy, including workshops and career development programming, and assess effectiveness through feedback and data-driven improvements.
• Foster a collaborative research staff community by designing and implementing engagement initiatives that promote knowledge-sharing, best practices, and professional connection.
• Oversee the recruitment and administration of teaching support roles (Teaching Fellows, Teaching Assistants, Graders, and Scribes), ensuring high-quality instructional support for faculty.
• Partner with internal and external…