Senior Program Manager

About

The Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative (H&LS) is dedicated to addressing systemic inequities by developing and advancing visible, lasting, and effective actions grounded in Harvard’s educational mission and guided by the findings and recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery. Sara Bleich, Vice Provost for Special Projects, leads the implementation of the recommendations from the Report of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery.

Job Summary

The Senior Program Manager (Sr. PM) is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of H&LS's programmatic portfolio. The portfolio encompasses programs directly managed by H&LS and those funded by H&LS but administered by other Schools/units across the University. Reporting directly to the Director of Administration (DA), the Sr. PM provides strategic direction and management to ensure all programs are successfully launched, delivered, and maintained in support of H&LS's mission and strategic priorities. The successful candidate will work collaboratively within a dedicated program team, manage key stakeholder relationships, and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio. They will demonstrate capacity to reflect and improve on their own practice, analyze data, examine issues, set relevant goals, and develop approaches to improve and learn. This is a three-year, benefits-eligible term position.

Portfolio Strategy & Oversight

Provide strategic management for the full lifecycle of H&LS's programmatic portfolio (e.g., the Du Bois Scholars Program, Reparative Grant Program, and new programmatic initiatives).

Oversee a diverse portfolio of programs, managing both those executed internally by the H&LS team and those funded by H&LS but implemented by other Schools/units, ensuring alignment with H&LS's mission, compliance with funding requirements, and consistent quality and impact.

Work closely with the leadership team to develop and implement a long-term growth strategy for the program portfolio, identifying opportunities for new programs.

Serve as a thought partner, as appropriate, to leadership on programmatic vision, impact assessment, and future directions.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

Serve as the primary point of contact for maintaining and deepening relationships with a wide range of program stakeholders, including Harvard staff, faculty, and students; community partners and organizations; and program participants/alumni.

May represent H&LS at meetings, events, and symposia, acting as an ambassador for the department and its programs to internal and external audiences.

Program Execution & Delivery

Oversee end-to-end program delivery including drafting program charters, building detailed project plans/roadmaps, tracking milestones and metrics, and assigning tasks with clear deadlines (using Asana) to ensure timely execution.

Manage complex, multi-disciplinary program portfolio, ensuring effective coordination across various Harvard Schools/Units and local communities (Du Bois Scholars Program, Memorial Project, various grant programs, etc.)

Develop reports and presentations that effectively communicate program progress and impact to diverse audiences.

Work closely with and mentor the program team, including the Program Manager and Program Coordinator, to foster a high-performing, collaborative, and service-oriented team culture.

Lead program/team meetings and facilitate communication to ensure alignment on goals, milestones, and project statuses.

Continuously assess and improve program-related processes, policies, and procedures to enhance operational efficiency, effectiveness, and the overall participant experience.

Lead in survey efforts including design, data collection and analysis, bias mitigation, etc. to track program performance, measure impact, and inform decision-making.

Monitor program budgets and expenditures to ensure responsible stewardship of funds and accurate record-keeping; assist DA in annual budget planning.

Collaborate with DA to negotiate with and manage vendor/contractor relationships to procure program-related goods and services.

Communications & Outreach

Liaise with the Senior Associate Director of Communications to drive a cohesive communications strategy for the program portfolio, including website content, social media, marketing materials, and newsletters.

Collaborate with the communications team to develop content that highlights program successes and impact for promotional and reporting purposes.

Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required

Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in program management operations or a related field

Additional education or certification, such as PMP, may count toward years of experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Demonstrated success in managing complex, multi-faceted programs and po…