Staff Assistant

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.

Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Design?

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate—as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications.

The immense variety of people, programs, and ideas at the School sustains a vibrant and rich environment for learning, inquiry, and collaboration, unlike any other design school. For more information about Harvard GSD see: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

To be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume are required with the submission of your application.

Job Summary:

The Admissions Staff Assistant provides administrative and operational support to the Admissions team, helping ensure timely, accurate, and responsive service to prospective students, applicants, admitted students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This position serves as a key point of contact for the Admissions inbox and phone line, coordinates event logistics, supports application processing and admissions committees, maintains admissions systems and web content, and processes travel and expense-related documentation.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, responsive, comfortable managing multiple priorities, interested in and comfortable with databases and administrative systems, and able to work effectively with confidential student and applicant information.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Admissions Communication and Customer Service

• Serve as the primary contact for prospective students and applicants through the admissions email inbox and telephone line.
• Provide accurate and timely information regarding application submission, admission policies and procedures, deadlines, events, and related inquiries.
• Research questions and refer inquiries to the appropriate staff or office as needed.
• Maintain and update admissions email templates, inbox snippets, and other standard communications to ensure information is clear, consistent, and current.
• Support admitted‑student outreach activities and other admissions communications as needed.

Application Processing and Student Records

• Provide administrative support throughout the annual admissions cycle, including maintaining files, updating database records, producing reports, editing admissions materials, and completing related tasks.
• Support application processing during peak periods, including updating application records, reviewing and organizing materials, resolving application‑related issues, and assisting with other processing needs.
• Process incoming and final transcripts for admitted students.
• Update prerequisite information and other related student records.
• Assist with coordinating faculty interview processes involving applicants, admitted students, and faculty.

Admissions Committee and Event Support

• Support admissions committees by maintaining SharePoint folders, assembling committee materials, uploading and maintaining committee information in Slate, and completing related administrative tasks.
• Create and maintain admissions events in Slate.
• Support admissions events by coordinating catering, reserving rooms, preparing materials, and…