Senior Director of Academic-Corporate Initiatives at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Position Title: Senior Director of Academic-Corporate Initiatives

Req ID: 67397BR

School or Unit: University Administration

Description: Job Summary

The Senior Director of Academic-Corporate Initiatives is a key contributor in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and, with the support of University leadership, promotes the execution of strategic research priorities through academic-corporate collaborations. Through close engagement with the Office of Technology Development (OTD), the Office of Sponsored Programs, and the University Development Office (UDO), this role will advance effective strategic growth, management, and coordination of academic-corporate collaborations across the University that align with its academic mission. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Research, this inaugural role will serve on a newly established University-level steering committee to help advance academic-corporate collaborations and comprise (along with leaders from OTD and UDO) the operational core of this group.

This is a high-impact role that requires leading through influence, successfully navigating a cross-functional and matrixed environment, towards fostering innovative and interdisciplinary research collaborations through outreach efforts, both within the University and with external partners. A breadth of experience with university faculty members and administration, corporate collaborations, the technology commercialization process, and philanthropic support of universities is highly valued.

Position Description

Key Responsibilities

• Work in close coordination with the Office of Technology Development (OTD), the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), the University Development Office (UDO), and other offices to implement a strategic plan to achieve institutional goals for academic corporate collaborations in support of the University's research and scholarly mission, and to ensure relationships with external sponsors are collaborative, forward-looking, and built on strong, coherent communications from "one Harvard."
• Participate in the operational team, with leaders from OTD and UDO, in efforts that support the assessment of new corporate sponsorship opportunities and helps facilitate the evaluation and implementation of new corporation relationships for research among the various University and School-based offices.
• Work closely with a newly established University-level steering committee that will help guide policy and strategy for advancing academic-corporate collaborations.
• Facilitate strategic visioning of corporate collaborations that are aligned with university-wide strategic research priorities and initiatives (e.g., Interfaculty Initiatives, Enterprise Research Campus).
• Advance, in cooperation with OTD, the planning of large-scale pilot programs in priority research areas for the University that will foster connections between multiple, faculty-led research efforts that could present attractive opportunities for investment and direct engagement from corporate entities and other institutions.
• Lead, in consultation with schools and university offices, the conceptualization and development of information technology capabilities to foster identification and advancement of new academic-corporate collaborations.
• Enable, in partnership with University and School-based offices, the development and dissemination of educational materials and resources on the opportunities and gaurdrails of corporate engagement in research, targeted at specific groups in our community (students, researchers, faculty).

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications to be considered for this role:

• Doctorate degree in a job-related field and at least 15 years of related experience in/with both academic and corporate environments.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Must have the capability and stature to partner with faculty, University leadership and senior-level corporate leaders to advance complex corporate initiatives
• Successful academic-corporate research engagement, economic development, business development and/or customer management-facing experience.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining successful academic partnerships with corporate entities.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Ability to travel, including some nights and weekends.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and initiatives.
• Demonstrated communication and collaboration skills with a record of accomplishment in successfully interfacing with internal/external stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and disciplines to achieve common goals.

Additional Information

This position has a 6-month orientation and review period.

Harvard University does not provide visa sponsorship.

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.

About Us

About The Office of the Vice Provost for Research

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research reviews, develops, and implements Harvard's research-related policies, as well as the organization and execution of academic research, especially in the sciences. With Harvard's increasing pursuit of cross-disciplinary ventures, the Vice Provost for Research (VPR) works closely with university and school leadership to identify and ease the practical impediments inherent to interdisciplinary research in a highly decentralized academic environment. Additionally, a critical mission of the Office is to develop best practices for education, training, and guidance to promote the responsible conduct of research and to ensure compliance in all areas of research administration.

The Office, with the concurrence of the Provost, convenes as appropriate university-wide committees that bring together key faculty and administrators from across Harvard to address matters relating to research and research training policies and practices. These committees, with full cognizance of applicable federal and state law, regulation, and guidance, review existing institutional policies and implementation practices that bear on the oversight and conduct of research, and consider ways to enhance, harmonize, supplement or supplant them. The VPR works closely with faculty and administrative colleagues in government affairs, sponsored research, technology licensing, university development, and other domains to cultivate and sustain sound and appropriate relations with industry and with private and government agencies involved with academic research.

The Office also assists faculty in securing the necessary support for their important scholarly work - be it through one of the five internal funding opportunities it oversees; coordinating, in conjunction with the schools, the university's competitive process for federal and foundation funding; or establishing university guidance around corporate giving.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

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Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code: 361062 Administrative Manager

Job Function: General Administration

Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub Unit: Office of the President and Provost

Salary Grade: 062

Department: OVPR


Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Education, Identity

Schedule: Full time. Monday through Friday. 35 hours per week.

Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: 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.

EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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