Director Institute of Politics

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 Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Harvard Kennedy School bridges the worlds of academia and practice in order to expose students to the “real world” of politics and public policy, with a mission to inspire young people—especially undergraduates—to become leaders in the world of politics and public life.

The IOP offers wide-ranging opportunities for Harvard students and acts as a convener for the broader Harvard community with the goal of stimulating and nurturing a passion for politics and public service regardless of party affiliation. Many of the most significant political figures over the last six decades—Presidents and presidential candidates, Governors, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, award‑winning journalists, and international policymakers, among others—have either been Fellows at the IOP or participated at events in which they imparted their practical insights about navigating the world of politics and public service.

The activities of the IOP are extensive, spanning highly sought‑after fellowships, high‑level events, trainings for new members of Congress and U.S. mayors, student internships, polling initiatives, and numerous student‑organized programs. For nearly 60 years, the IOP has welcomed Fellows who participate in semester‑long residential programs. These individuals have served in senior positions at all levels of government—federal, state, local, and tribal—and represent the full breath of the U.S. political spectrum.

Campaign managers, political consultants, international political leaders, representatives from advocacy organizations, and journalists have also served as IOP Fellows. The Fellows run student study groups and participate in other student programs. The IOP also runs an extensive public service internship program; conducts educational seminars for elected officials; organizes conferences that bring together academic, political, and government leaders; and hosts world leaders and other high‑level speakers at events in the John

F. Kennedy, Jr., Forum at the Kennedy School.

Reporting to the Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, the Director is charged with setting the IOP’s overarching strategy and establishing and executing on its priorities. The Director should have a demonstrated record as an inspirational leader and an exceptional manager, and will lead a team of roughly 20 staff, including an Executive Director. He or she should conceptualize and execute innovative and policy‑relevant programs that serve to encourage and educate the next generation of public leaders and that build on the IOP’s reputation as a national platform for discourse spanning the political spectrum.

The Director should have a compelling vision for how to encourage engagement in politics and public service and to foster meaningful conversations across difference at a highly polarized time.

The Director will collaborate closely with the IOP’s Senior Advisory Committee (SAC), and will advise the Dean on the SAC’s membership. The Director will also oversee the IOP’s Student Advisory Committee, which comprises undergraduate Harvard students who are especially committed to the IOP’s mission.

The Director will also work…