Job Summary:
Oversee academic affairs operation including faculty support, curriculum management and training.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Under the Dean of the Harvard Summer School, the Assistant Dean oversees the liberal arts curriculum of over 450 courses, ensuring academic quality, curricular breadth and depth, and compliance with institutional standards. The role collaborates closely with partners across the Harvard Summer School (HSS) and the Division of Continuing Education (DCE), the Executive Director for High School Programs, the DCE Global office, program directors from the Harvard Extension School (HES), Harvard College department chairs, Directors of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), faculty, and staff to develop and enhance summer course offerings.
Curriculum Oversight
- In partnership with the Dean of HSS, oversees the design, delivery, and ongoing evaluation of the HSS liberal arts curriculum (credit and non-credit offerings), to ensure appropriate curricular breadth, depth, and alignment with institutional academic goals.
- Partners with Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) departments to develop and refine curricular offerings that reflect Harvard College academic standards, policies, and pedagogical expectations.
- Works with faculty on the development, revision, and implementation of credit and non-credit courses, advising on course structure, learning outcomes, and student engagement.
- Collaborates with the DCE Global to design and coordinate courses tailored for international student cohorts.
- Consults with HES program directors on shared courses between HSS and other programs, ensuring coherent curriculum planning, appropriate faculty coverage, and aligned expectations across programs.
Academic & Faculty Operations
- Reviews and approves syllabi, course content, and instructional materials to ensure academic rigor, alignment with learning outcomes, and compliance with institutional and accreditation standards.
- Analyzes course evaluation data to monitor instructional quality, identify trends, support high levels of faculty performance and student satisfaction.
- Oversees strategic course planning and scheduling, ensuring balanced distribution of offerings across parts of term, modalities, and subject areas to support optimal enrollment patterns and student progression.
- Ensures accurate and timely entry of course details into the catalog and scheduling system (e.g. part of term, modality/schedule type, credit hours, enrollment caps, and course attributes), aligning with institutional guidelines.
- Serves as the primary faculty liaison during the summer session, providing policy guidance, addressing instructional or student concerns, and convening faculty meetings to discuss pedagogy, curriculum, and emerging student needs.
- Collaborates with the Teaching and Learning team to design, coordinate, and lead HSS Faculty Orientation.
- Oversees Summer Tutoring Program
Supervision
- Supervises two staff: the Associate Director of Academic & Student Programming, and the Academic & Administrative Coordinator.
- Provides supervision of direct reports, including training, delegating & reviewing work, performance expectations, and conducting annual performance evaluations. Exercises progressive discipline and takes corrective action—up to and including termination— in accordance with Harvard policies & procedures.
- Oversees workflow management to prioritize daily operational tasks, assignment of special projects to support program goals, enhance efficiency, and advance departmental initiatives.
Representation & Institutional Collaboration
- Partners with the Office of Faculty Engagement and Academic Affairs on course planning and faculty appointments.
- Collaborates with Harvard College on policies and procedures for College students enrolled in HSS, including Rising Scholars Program, undergraduates in online courses, and proctors.
- Serves as DCE subject matter expert on Harvard College policies and procedures; serves on the HSS and DCE Administrative Boards and the Academic Policy Committee.
- Serves as Title IX Officer for Summer faculty.
Working Conditions:
This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. During the Summer Program months (June-August), this position will be required to work on-campus daily, as well as some evenings, and several weekends for check-ins and emergencies. Hybrid workplace models are in place at Harvard Summer School with a minimum of 1 day per week on campus during the fall and spring semesters. DCE or department may adjust these as necessary or appropriate. Furthermore, individual flexible and remote work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience
- Supervisory experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience with curriculum development, administration, and diverse instructional formats.
- Proven teaching background and the ability to advise faculty on effective strategies for course design and delivery.
- Program development experience with an emphasis on aligning educational initiatives with institutional goals and student needs.
- Deep understanding of residential housing policies and operational best practices.
- Excellent collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, cultivating a collegial and inclusive environment that advances shared objectives across academic and administrative units.
- Sound judgement, discretion, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to navigate complex situations diplomatically and effectively.
- Familiarity with Harvard University preferred.
- Budget management and data analysis skills.
- Proficiency in Salesforce and a range of academic and administrative technologies.
- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $105K-$125K/annual
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal/CORI
- Other Information:
- A cover letter is required for consideration.
- The interview process may include additional assessment.
- All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
