Senior Partnerships Manager

At the Institutional Data Initiative (IDI) we’re working to expand access to, and our collective understanding of, the data that underpins AI. By collaborating with library, government, and academic institutions to publish their knowledge collections as AI training sets, IDI seeks to 1) empower those institutions and the cultures they represent, 2) build a foundational pipeline for academic inquiry of AI, and 3) advance the state of the art for all builders of AI systems. At launch, we released Institutional Books—a dataset of nearly 1M public domain books, scanned through Harvard Library. 

IDI’s work spans the AI data ecosystem—from digitization, data structuring, and metadata synthesis, to safety and security analysis, all the way through to benchmarking and the development of ethical and governance frameworks. Institutional collaboration forms the gateway to this work and sets the rhythm of all other work at the initiative.  

The Senior Partnerships Manager will foster opportunities for collaboration by building relationships with other institutions and identifying novel institutional collections where IDI might have an impact. The person in this role will build on previous knowledge and relationships from libraries or other public interest institutions to find places where IDI might empower them. This person’s high-level understanding of AI and IDI’s capabilities will enable ambitious opportunities to arise from these conversations.  

As IDI’s institutional connections grow, the Senior Partnerships Manager will develop a map of the landscape of opportunities, including specific knowledge collections, document them for triage and discussion within IDI, and shepherd them through from kickoff to fruition. Once partners have signed on, the person in this role will also manage IDI’s working relationship with them - offering regular updates, facilitating their input to our work, and collaborating on a data release plan.  

The Senior Partnerships Manager will also contribute to the building of community around IDI’s work to enable outside collaborators—fellow technologists, academics, students, cultural stakeholders—to expand our capabilities, capacity, and perspectives. IDI operates within Harvard and alongside the Library Innovation Lab, the Berkman Klein Center, and the Applied Social Media Lab; engaging these communities, among others, is critical to delivering on our mission. 

As Senior Partnerships Manager, you will: 

• Own the ongoing development and execution of IDI’s strategy to identify, cultivate, secure, and manage our partnerships with knowledge institutions across the globe. This includes individual relationships as well as efforts to build cross-institutional or collaborative partnerships to multiply our impact.  
• Develop outreach strategies to connect with institutions and their stakeholders, including through both warm and cold connections, and systems for tracking progress. 
• Attend conferences to represent IDI, expand the initiative’s footprint, and seed new partnerships. 
• Submit proposals to potential partners and shepherd partner agreements through various approval processes. 
• Inform and sharpen IDI’s strategy to build shared infrastructure, tooling, and other offerings for the library community, through discovery and knowledge built while working with partners.  
• Work with IDI’s technical team members to understand capabilities and capacity. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for active partners by providing updates and facilitating their input to IDI’s work. 
• Find and document collaboration opportunities, including detailed analysis of corpora against a range of criteria. 
• Support work with the IDI’s Library Advisory Council, as it relates to existing or potential partnerships.  
• Help build the IDI research community by onboarding and interacting with institutional partners within IDI’s community platforms. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and 7 years of relevant work experience.  

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have: 

• An interest in developing a high-level understanding of AI and a desire to guide AI toward the public interest. 
• Experience working at or with knowledge institutions including library, academic, or government organizations. 
• A proven track record of developing and managing a large network of business relationships, whether nonprofit or commercial. 
• An ability to work independently in developing new opportunities, from idea to execution, while also collaborating with a technical team. 
• Experience working within early stage or high velocity companies and organizations. 

Appointment End Date: This is a two-year term appointment with potential for renewal, subject to departmental need.  

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Other Information:

This position is a combination of on campus and remote work based on business needs and manager approval.   

Occasional travel for conferences and events as needed.  

All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.

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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 058. 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.