Manager, Unit and Faculty Support

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Business School?

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

Division of Research and Faculty Development

The mission of Harvard Business School (HBS) is to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Within HBS, the Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD) helps to build and develop the faculty and facilitates the creation of enduring knowledge that shapes both business scholarship and the practice of business by providing unparalleled faculty support. The School’s largest administrative department, the DRFD houses approximately 350 full-time and part-time staff members. As a premier service organization, and in collaboration with colleagues across the School, the DRFD staff delivers high-touch, customized support to the faculty, demonstrating solid judgment and high standards of responsiveness and professionalism.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Manager, Unit and Faculty Support plays a key role in delivering high-quality administrative and operational support to individual faculty and units. The Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of a group of Faculty Support Specialist (FSSs) and unit coordinators ensuring the faculty and their administrative support staff are and feel well supported. Reporting to the Associate Director, this position partners closely with Unit Heads, faculty, Human Resources, and administrative colleagues to ensure effective service delivery across assigned units.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Unit & Faculty Support Operations

• Manage the day-to-day administrative operations of assigned faculty units, ensuring smooth delivery of unit activities and faculty support.
• Partner with Unit Heads and faculty to understand needs and ensure appropriate administrative support is in place.
• Advise faculty on effective utilization of support staff, including communication, scope of work, and best practices.
• Support faculty through key career milestones (e.g., onboarding, promotion reviews, transitions, retirements).
• Maintain strong, visible relationships with faculty and staff to ensure a high level of service and responsiveness.

Staff Supervision & Service Delivery

• Directly supervise Faculty Support Specialists (FSSs) and Unit Coordinators assigned to supported units.
• Conduct regular check-ins, provide coaching, and complete annual performance evaluations.
• Support performance management processes, including feedback, development planning, and addressing performance concerns in partnership with HR.
• Monitor workloads and assignments to ensure equitable distribution and effective coverage.
• Serve as a point of escalation for day-to-day service issues and help resolve challenges in a timely manner.

Recruitment, Onboarding & Training

• Partner with the Assistant Director and Research Staff Services to support recruitment efforts, including screening candidates, coordinating interviews, and participating in hiring decisions.
• Oversee onboarding of new staff, ensuring a smooth transition into roles through structured plans and training.
• Deliver and coordinate training sessions; gather feedback and refine onboarding materials and processes.
• Support ongoing staff development by identifying skill gaps and recommending training opportunities.

Operational Coordination & HR Partnership

• Collaborate with the Associate Director on employee relations, policy interpretation, and workforce processes.
• Ensure adherence to University and School policies related to timekeeping, leave, and workplace practices.
• Approve staff time, monitor overtime, and coordinate coverage during absences.
• Maintain accurate records related to recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance management.

Process Improvement & Communication

• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend improvements to enhance service delivery.
• Support implementation of department-wide initiatives, tools, and best practices.
• Contribute to communication efforts, including updating internal resources and sharing information with staff.
• Partner with colleagues across DRFD and the broader School on projects impacting faculty support.
• Builds trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
• 5+ years of directly related and specific experience in program delivery or similar is required.
• Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) experience is a must.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience supervising or mentoring staff
• Experience working in a research, academic, or non-profit environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and attention to detail
• Commitment to high-quality service delivery and continuous improvement
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Additional Information

• 
  Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week, overtime eligible position
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• 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.

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 056. 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.