Program Manager, Architecture

Job Summary:

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate—as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications. The immense variety of people, programs, and ideas at the School sustains a vibrant and rich environment for learning, inquiry, and collaboration, unlike any other design school.

Reporting to the Associate Director for Academic Administration, Architecture and MDE, and working closely with two Program Directors and the Thesis Director, acts as primary information source and liaison with faculty, staff, and students within the largest academic department at the GSD. Serves as primary point of contact for all student matters within the department of architecture, including curriculum, policy, and procedures. Collaborates with faculty and staff to manage and support projects, programs, and events including thesis reviews and workshops, department meetings, open house, admissions, awards and fellowships, exchange programs, preterm workshops, accreditation reporting, and course evaluations in addition to others. 

NOTE: This position requires 3 days/week on-site in the office.

 Position Description: TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 

• Works closely with Program Directors and Thesis Director to oversee the administration of MArch programs, resolve student issues, update policies, and communicate curricular and program information to students.
• Supervises the day-to-day activities of the Executive Coordinator, Architecture.
• In consultation with faculty program leadership and the registrar, manages and communicates student academic logistics – tracking degree progress, confirming ability to graduate, regulations, assigning advisors and core studio sections, advising students and faculty on all program matters and policies, and relaying all program and program-specific enrollment information.
• With the Thesis Director, manages thesis advising assignments, manages thesis budget, plans and manages all thesis review logistics (guest invitations and renumerations, complex review schedules, etc.), organizes library workshops, tracks and collects thesis forms and submissions, and is the primary information source to students regarding thesis policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Updates student information, maintains student listserv, maintains departmental records.
• In consultation with the department chair and program directors, is a key manager of the accreditation process which involves a full review and site visit every 5-8 years (or depending on NAAB guidelines). Key responsibilities include assisting with and issuing reports, coordinating and organizing the visiting team, and completing and submitting annual and/or interim reports to the accreditation board.
• Manages content on the GSD’s website for the Architecture department and maintains the role of Content Editor through required training and attendance at annual meetings.
• Working with the department Chair, Associate Director and Executive Coordinator, manages logistics related to departmental prizes, awards, internships, and fellowships, and ensures faculty meet required internal deadlines.
• Manages the admissions review process together with faculty leadership and the Admissions Office, including coordination and staffing of all faculty meetings and preparation of key materials.
• Serves as primary resource for other departments within the school on all architecture program and student matters.
• Serves as a key player in option studio lottery, open house, orientation, commencement, as well as other ad hoc events and initiatives. May be called upon to assist in special projects.
• Organizes and attends faculty Department Meetings, program-specific Student Forum representative meetings, etc.
• Supervises and directs the work of Architecture office student employees for general office assistance and organization.

Working Conditions: 

• This position requires three days/week on-site, and will be based in Cambridge, MA.
• The work is mainly performed in an office setting. Flexible work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.
• This position requires frequent in-person work at the GSD throughout the academic year.

Additional Information:

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Basic Qualifications :

• Three or more years of related experience, preferably in an academic setting required. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, required.
• Essential skills include organization and analytical skills, and a strong aptitude for prioritizing and multitasking under tight deadlines, amid frequent interruption.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, web editing. Must be comfortable working across multiple databases/information systems. 
• Supervisory experience required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills :

• Must be able to work well in a team as well as independently.
• Excellent personable demeanor and customer service including ability to use discretion, good judgment and work effectively with all individuals. Strong communication skills in person, in writing, and on the telephone.
• Must be willing to work overtime during peak periods.