Director, Career Services

As an integral member of the HGSE Academic Programs and Student Services team, the Director of Career Services plays a key leadership role in creating, implementing, and assessing professional development and career services for master’s and doctoral students in education. The Career Services team’s mission is to help HGSE students thrive during their programs and successfully prepare for meaningful, impactful careers in the field of education.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Director leads and oversees the Career Services team, which focuses on career exploration, professional development, and job search and advancement services for our 1,000+ HGSE master’s and doctoral students. In addition to managing staff, the Director oversees strategic planning, budgeting, and key initiatives directed toward supporting students’ career readiness and fostering connections among students, HGSE faculty, and employers. Specific responsibilities include:

Strategic Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for career development services that supports the diverse career pathways of HGSE master’s and doctoral students across education sectors

• Design a data-informed approach to define success metrics for student career engagement and outcomes, establishing measurement criteria and evaluating progress to drive continuous improvement

• Provide high-level oversight of the HGSE Career Services and related web presence in collaboration with the HGSE Communications and Engagement Office

• Create scalable career resources, programs, and coaching services that address early-, mid-, and senior-level career trajectories in education and related fields

• Build and strengthen relationships with employers and organizations across P–20 education, nonprofits, government, edtech, and other relevant sectors to expand opportunity pipelines for HGSE students

• Identify and implement strategies for ongoing faculty engagement in students’ career development and in advancing the goals and mission of Academic Programs & Student Services and HGSE

• Partner with the Career Services team to ensure all services, opportunities, and initiatives are inclusive, values-driven engagement that highlight impact, and connect graduates to employers, alumni, and to the School’s mission. 

• Monitor education workforce and labor market trends to inform career advising, program development, and employer partnerships

• Represent HGSE on School- and University-wide committees related to career services and student professional development

Team Management
 

• Evaluate existing strategies, procedures, and processes to ensure maximum coordination, synergy, and efficiency across Career Services team members

• Convene direct reports and team members on a regular basis to ensure cohesion, transparent communication, and collaborative decision-making

• Model inclusive leadership in team meetings, hiring, and performance management

• Serve as a resource to all direct reports, stepping in as needed to provide additional support and/or coverage

Resource Management
 

• Oversee Career Services budgets, working with team members to ensure expenses and projections are accurate and within financial allocations

• Provide guidance and advocacy about resource allocation to ensure high-quality development and delivery of career services and programming

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office setting
• HGSE is currently developing dynamic workplace models which will actively support a combination of on-campus and remote work (within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business) where business and operational needs allow. You and your manager will discuss the best schedule based on your role and operational need. If your role allows for remote work, please note that all remote work must be performed within a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA (Only Exempt), CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA). Please also note that Harvard will withhold each applicable state’s required tax and other withholdings from your paycheck for the time you work there.

Physical Requirements:

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

Basic Qualifications

B.A./B.S. required; minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience managing and leading a complex organization or program; experience leading and managing staff; experience managing budgets. Previous experience in career coaching and/or workforce development. 

Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to a resume.  Please upload as one document.

Additional Qualifications
Advanced degree in education or a management-related field preferred. Prior work in higher education and graduate school settings strongly preferred. Demonstrated strategic planning skills and experience. Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners, along with a strong commitment to inclusive, value-driven, and impact-oriented engagement. Effective team-building skills and experience motivating, supervising, and supporting staff to achieve organizational goals. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong organizational, analytical, and management skills. High level of attention to detail and the ability to set direction for outstanding service across multiple functions. Experience/knowledge with Symplicity. Willingness to provide ground-level support as needed, including at night and/or on weekends during busy periods.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $130,000 - 133,000 commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education

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.