Assistant Director, MPA Programs

Job Description

Master in Public Administration (MPA) Programs at HKS include an intensive one-year mid-career program (MC/MPA) and a two-year program. The MC/MPA Program enhances the knowledge and skills of established, high-performing professionals who are looking to advance in their careers or transition between sectors. And the two-year MPA program equips students who have prior work experience and have taken graduate-level courses with the skills, perspectives, and nuanced understanding they need to be effective leaders in solving public problems.

This position helps support the MC/MPA Summer Program (a complex, five‑week long program serving approximately 200‑400 incoming students) and the Mason Fall Launch (a two‑week program serving approximately 80‑100 incoming students in the Mason Fellows cohort). This includes:

• Assisting with planning and implementation of the Summer Program and Mason Fall Launch (this could include coordinating with presenters; assisting with the delivery of academic sessions, workshops; delivering 1:1 or group advising sessions)
• Assisting with the hiring process for over 40 instructors for the Mid‑Career Summer Program and Mason Fall Launch from a variety of hiring categories including HKS and non‑Harvard faculty
• Handling faculty requests during Summer Program
• Setting up faculty meetings during Summer Program
• Hosting drop‑in office hours for students during Summer Program
• Fostering relationships with instructors and departments across HKS and Harvard University including Information Technology, Human Resources, International Office, Campus Planning and Operations, Dining, and Media Services to support the Summer Program and Mason Fall Launch.

This position assists with the design and delivery of programs, services, and events for MPA Programs and students. This includes:

• Advising students across MPA Programs (~350-500 total students) on course selection, degree requirements, career goals and planning, and academic and personal concerns (this could include 1:1 or small group advising and office hours)
• Assisting with the planning and delivery of MPA Orientation, Mason Seminars, and other program‑related student events and seminars (scheduling and coordinating with presenters, sitting in on presentations, etc.)
• Working with students on weekly seminar planning
• Coordinating support for concurrent degree students
• Working on related and special projects and handling other responsibilities, as needed.

This position may involve work related to recruiting future MPA program students, including:

• Meeting and counseling prospective applicants (in person or online, responding to phone/email inquiries)
• Designing and delivering recruitment and information sessions for applicants

• Work is performed in an office setting
• May be required to work nights and weekends

• Sitting using near vision for reading and computer use for extended periods of time
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, intermediate Excel skills
• Ability to work with students, student organizations, colleagues, clients and external organizations
• Communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Proven problem solving, time management, verbal and written communication, and project management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, self‑motivated, creative, collaborative and discrete.
• Experience working in student services with diverse graduate population is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and/or interest in the Kennedy School and Harvard University is desirable.
• Master’s degree preferred.

• Appointment End Date: This is a fully benefits eligible term appointment through June 30, 2027
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders…