Associate Director, PPIA Program Development and Management

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.

Harvard Kennedy School offers an annual 7‑week summer program in conjunction with the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program’s Junior Summer Institute (JSI). PPIA is a not‑for‑profit that has been supporting efforts to increase diversity in public service for more than 40 years; they created the JSI program to specifically address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, and international organizations.

The partnership between HKS and PPIA—known as JSI@HKS—is a rigorous academic program that will prepare participants (rising undergraduate seniors) for graduate training in public policy and international affairs programs. Co‑curricular activities will also provide participants with a greater understanding of career opportunities in public service fields, a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in policy fields, and opportunities to develop a strong sense of belonging.

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) seeks a highly talented individual to be the Associate Director for PPIA Program Development and Management. The Associate Director, in collaboration with an HKS faculty Advisory Board, will develop, implement, administer, and oversee JSI@HKS and related activities. This includes developing and managing the annual operating budget for the program; supervising the selection of program participants; leading decision‑making in planning and executing a schedule of co‑curricular activities;

managing and overseeing the program’s administrative and daily operations, including execution of vendor contracts and vendor management; maintaining records of all program alumni; and leading and overseeing an assessment and continuous improvement plan for JSI@HKS.

• Develop and manage an annual operating budget for the program;
• Lead the development and maintenance of policies governing the program;
• Supervise the identification, recruitment, and selection of program participants;
• Hire and oversee residential support for JSI participant housing;
• Lead the design and implementation of customized co‑curricular programming focused on providing participants with insights into the policy‑making process, policy‑oriented research, and careers in public and international affairs, and an introduction to the rich cultural and recreational offerings of the Boston Metropolitan Area;
• Provide advising and mentorship to participants who wish to apply to graduate‑level public policy programs;
• Coordinate the hiring process for JSI@HKS instructors from a variety of hiring categories, including HKS and non‑Harvard faculty, in conjunction with the Academic Dean’s Office, the Office of Administration and Finance, and the Harvard International Office;
• Oversee day‑to‑day program activities;
• Manage relationships with departments across HKS and Harvard University, including Campus Planning and Operations, Information Technology, Human Resources, International Office, Harvard University Dining Services, and Media Services;
• Oversee recruitment of future PPIA participants and HKS degree program applicants.

Bachelor’s and 5+ years of related work experience in the…