Senior Director for IT Strategy and Project Management

Job Summary

The Senior Director of IT Strategy and Project Management reports directly to the Managing Director of Administrative IT, and plays a multifaceted role in driving impactful outcomes for 25,000 students, 1,800 faculty and instructional staff, and 500 administrative staff. The Senior Director is responsible for aligning decision support, strategy, vision, and project planning across the four Administrative IT (AIT) units (ERP Systems, Platform Solutions, Infrastructure, and Project and Product Management).

The Senior Director partners strategically with the AIT Managing Director, providing insights and decision‑making support to advance organizational objectives. Acting as an advisor, provides a wide ranging inputs on strategic and tactical matters. The Senior Director provides strategic coordination to integrate and unify AIT work streams, connect teams, and facilitate communication between leadership and the organization. They will evaluate departmental metrics to gauge effectiveness and identify areas of improvement.

• Advises DCE's Executive Leadership Team on collaborations with HUIT, School partners, and vendor relationships.
• Chairs the Project Planning Governance board, assessing proposals, scoping projects, identifying risks, and recommending prioritizations to the ELT.
• Collaborates with the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Dean on DCE-wide processes, guidelines, and operations.
• Represents DCE in University initiatives, including the University Project Review Committee, which evaluates project proposals for a well‑defined business case, cost, scope and stakeholder involvement.
• Leverages Harvard experience and institutional knowledge to advance DCE initiatives and align the Division with university‑wide efforts.
• Guides teams, provides expert advice, and enhances overall efficiency; fosters relationships across the organization and drives cross‑divisional collaboration.
• Oversees strategic planning and alignment with organizational goals, identifying growth opportunities within AIT.
• Represents AIT externally, liaising with Harvard units, partner organizations, and other stakeholders, and represents the Managing Director in meetings.
• Ensures strategic IT service delivery, streamlining processes and leading projects to enhance AIT operations; identifies evolving needs and skill gaps to support business growth and team career development.
• Liaises with AIT leadership to collect, review, and compile budget input for the annual planning cycles.
• Oversees the Product Ownership model, which defines product visions, manages backlogs, and works as a liaison between the developer, stakeholder and vendor teams to ensure effective communication and timely feature delivery.
• Oversees management of project governance, methodology, portfolio management, and tools and standards for Project Management.
• Manages staff (5 FTE); responsible for recruitment, training, performance management, and fostering an inclusive work environment.

The position is based in Cambridge, MA
. Hybrid workplace models are in place at DCE with a minimum of two days per week on campus.

• 35 hours per week

• Salary range: $170,000–$210,000 per year

• Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

• Identity, Education, and Criminal

This position may be performed at a non‑Harvard location depending on operational needs. Employees must work in a Harvard‑registered state and comply with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts.

The position is salary grade level 061.

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support a healthy work‑life balance and personal wellbeing. Benefits include:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage from day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Well‑being and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.