Faculty Assistant and Program Coordinator

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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.

Professor Marshall Ganz is a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and Faculty Director of the Practicing Democracy Project (PDP) at the Center for Public Leadership. His teaching and research focus on leadership, narrative, organizing, and civic engagement, with an emphasis on how people build collective power to create change.

The Practicing Democracy Project supports practitioners and students to develop the skills, relationships, and capacities needed for democratic renewal. It focuses on equipping individuals and organizations to engage in the work of organizing, building power, and fostering democratic practices. Through teaching, research, and practitioner partnerships, PDP explores how democracy is not only a system of governance, but lived, daily practice.

Professor Ganz teaches three courses:
Organizing:
People, Power, Change;
Public Narrative; and Being Human. His courses, which are taught both in person and online, draw hundreds of students and practitioners from around the world and are grounded in a practice‑based approach to leadership development. His work frequently involves collaboration with organizers, students, academics, and institutions globally.

In addition to his role at Harvard, Professor Ganz is the founder and senior advisor of the Leading Change Network (LCN)—a global community of organizers, educators, and change‑makers who use the organizing frameworks and leadership practices developed through his work.

The Faculty Assistant & Program Coordinator will play a central role in supporting Professor Ganz and the Practicing Democracy Project, providing high‑level administrative, logistical, and relational support. This is a dynamic and people‑centered role that enables the smooth functioning of a fast‑paced, collaborative, and impact‑driven body of work.

The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, detail‑oriented, and relationally skilled. They have the ability to manage complex scheduling, ensure follow‑through across multiple streams of work, and steward relationships with care and joy. They are curious about our work, committed to learning, and invested in their own growth and development.

• Provide operational support to Professor Ganz and a dynamic team of 6–12 teaching fellows, ensuring seamless delivery of courses in a fast‑paced, highly collaborative environment.
• Manage day‑to‑day course needs, including editing and printing materials, updating course websites, scheduling office hours, obtaining copyright permissions, and entering grades.
• Coordinate course technology needs, ensuring the teaching team has reliable tools and technical support.
• Contribute to a strong and supportive team culture by reliably fulfilling individual responsibilities, proactively assisting colleagues when needed, and contributing to the effective functioning of the broader teaching and programmatic work.

• Manage Professor Ganz’s complex calendar across teaching, PDP work, coaching, and research.
• Schedule meetings with students, colleagues, team members, and external partners, ensuring all relevant background materials are shared in advance.
• Maintain clear communication with the PDP team…