Job Summary:

The Director of Corporate Alliances plays a central role in advancing the mission of the HBS AI Institute by serving as the primary relationship lead for a portfolio of corporate and organizational partners. This role is responsible for ensuring that partner organizations derive meaningful, sustained value from their engagement with the Institute, while also informing and enriching the Institute’s research agenda through close collaboration with faculty and practice.

Operating within a leading academic environment, the Director, reporting to Principal Director, Alliances at HBSAI, works at the intersection of academia and industry, partnering closely with faculty, researchers, and administrative teams to translate cutting-edge research into actionable insights. The Director serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, facilitating high-impact engagements that reflect the rigor, independence, and mission of a university-based research institute. The role combines elements of strategic partnership development, academic engagement, and program delivery, with a focus on long-term relationship stewardship, intellectual exchange, and measurable impact.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of strategic partner organizations, serving as the primary point of contact and steward of the overall relationship.
• Develop and execute engagement plans that align partner priorities with HBS AI Institute research, faculty expertise, and programming.
• Ensure a high-quality partner experience across the full lifecycle, including onboarding, ongoing engagement, and long-term value realization.
• Translate faculty research into clear, relevant insights for practitioners, supporting partners in applying these insights to organizational challenges.
• Convene and facilitate interactions between partners and faculty, including briefings, workshops, and collaborative research opportunities.
• Navigate university structures and processes to effectively coordinate across stakeholders, including faculty, research centers, and administrative units.
• Lead regular partner reviews to assess engagement, share insights, and identify opportunities for deeper collaboration.
• Monitor partner engagement and feedback to inform continuous improvement and ensure alignment with Institute goals.
• Serve as a conduit between partner organizations and the Institute, elevating practice-based insights to help shape research priorities and initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of new partnership opportunities through a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach.
• Collaborate with colleagues across HBS, including Executive Education and HBS Online, to deliver integrated learning and engagement experiences.
• Support the evolution of the Institute’s partner engagement model, including defining best practices and success metrics.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 1–3 staff members, fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment that supports strategic corporate partnership goals.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• 10+ years of experience in consulting, strategic partnerships, customer success, higher education administration, or related advisory roles.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, enterprise-level relationships and drive measurable outcomes in matrixed or academic organizations.
• Experience working with senior executives on strategy, transformation, or innovation initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with faculty, researchers, or academic leadership, or navigating university-based environments and stakeholder models.
• Ability to synthesize complex ideas into clear, actionable insights for executive audiences while maintaining academic rigor.
• Strong interest in digital transformation, data, and AI.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• MBA or equivalent experience.
• Background in consulting, enterprise customer success, or higher education partnerships.
• Experience working within or alongside universities, research institutes, or executive education programs.
• Experience defining success metrics and leading data-informed client or partner engagements.
• Familiarity with academic research processes, publication norms, and faculty engagement models.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing staff, with a commitment to fostering high-performing and collaborative teams.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • ​​​This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

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.