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 drives impactful outcomes for 25,000 students, 1,800 faculty and instructional staff, and 500 administrative staff. The Senior Director aligns decision support, strategy, vision, and project planning across the four Administrative IT units (ERP Systems, Platform Solutions, Infrastructure, and Project and Product Management).

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

The Senior Director partners strategically with the AIT Managing Director, providing insights and decision‑making support to advance organizational objectives. Acting as an advisor, the Senior Director offers a wide range of inputs on strategic and tactical matters, coordinates to integrate and unify AIT workstreams, connects teams, and facilitates communication between leadership and the organization. They evaluate departmental metrics to gauge effectiveness and identify areas for 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, and provides feedback to proposal teams and recommendations to the University’s IT Capital Review Board.
• 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, fostering relationships across the organization and driving 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, providing briefings and updates to the Leadership Team.
• Ensures strategic IT service delivery, streamlines processes, and leads projects to enhance AIT operations, identifying 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.
• Manages the Product Ownership model, which defines product visions, manages backlogs, and acts as a liaison between developers, stakeholders 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). This includes recruitment, training, performance management, and fostering an inclusive work environment. Responsible for effective staff management and professional development, including hiring innovative technology talent, mentoring, and performance management.

Working Conditions

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. The hybrid workplace model requires a minimum of two days per week on campus. The DCE or department may adjust these as necessary or appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of ten years of relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated adaptability, versatility, and flexibility in response to shifting conditions.
• Experience successfully building relationships within and external to IT.
• Demonstrated skill challenging others’ positions constructively.
• Ability to direct large, complex cross‑divisional strategic projects.
• Experience working across organizational boundaries to achieve results.
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service‑mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor.
• Demonstrated skill influencing at all levels to ensure ownership of assigned tasks and objectives.
• Demonstrated skill facilitating group discussions.

Standard Hours & Compensation

• Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation: $170K‑$210K per year
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education, and Criminal
• Other Information:
  • A cover letter is highly encouraged for consideration.
  • All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Benefits

• 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

Work Format Details

The position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some duties 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 on 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 061. Please view Harvard’s salary ranges to see the corresponding salary range and related information.

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.