Project Manager, Reimagining Democracy

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.

The John

F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting‑edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match.

When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Project Manager is a key member of the Ash Center’s Reimagining Democracy Program, which brings together scholars, practitioners, and students to develop bold, actionable ideas that will help reconstruct and revitalize democratic institutions and practices in the United States. Working closely with the Ash Center Director and senior staff, the Project Manager is responsible for advancing the design, development, execution, and impact of a dynamic portfolio of convenings, symposia, and other programming.

The Project Manager is responsible for ensuring all program deliverables are executed start‑to‑finish and of highest quality, whether launching a series of cross‑sector convenings of environment and climate leaders or managing the production and dissemination of a series of written work on rebuilding trust in our election systems.

Candidates must demonstrate experience managing projects involving multiple principals, meticulous attention to detail and follow‑up, and a willingness to approach problems with creativity and collegiality. The Ash Center is a global and values‑driven community that believes diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real‑world problems. In fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity, we value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches.

We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.

• Foster alignment and reliable communication among program leadership, collaborators, and other contributors.
• Independently coordinate and schedule meetings; prepare and distribute agendas and other meeting materials; facilitate and document meeting minutes for follow‑up.
• Monitor and advance project and event milestones, proactively tracking deliverables and ensuring accountability for assigned tasks.
• Serve as a resourceful problem‑solver, using initiative and creativity to keep projects on track with limited guidance.
• Participate in strategic planning and provide input on the development and refinement of ongoing and future projects.

• Manage agenda and format design, implementation, and evaluation to ensure seamless execution and to sustain momentum across events when part of a series.
• Manage planning timelines, schedule convenings, and ensure timely completion of key project deadlines.
• Coordinate with various authors and contributors to produce event summaries, working papers, and multimedia deliverables.
• Curate and report event and program data including rosters, participation, deliverables, feedback, and impact.
• Oversee and occasionally take direct responsibility for logistics such as booking travel and accommodation, paying invoices and other financial processing, and other administrative duties as needed.

• Administer communications with participants, guests, collaborators, and other stakeholders, ensure timely information sharing and follow‑up on all action items.
• Conduct background research on prospective participants and discussion topics to ensure a diversity of perspectives.
• Draft correspondence, event briefings, informational materials, grant reports,…