Job Summary:

Lead admissions operations and planning that may include applicant recruitment and evaluation, event planning, data analysis and policy and workflow development.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Senior Associate Director oversees the consistent interpretation and administration of predegree advising and admissions policies and processes and supervises the advising team. The role provides leadership on complex student matters and institutional risk; manages key departmental operations; and uses data to inform policy, planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Other duties and responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with School and University admissions and academic policies and applicable legal requirements.
• Research, analyze, interpret, and resolve policy questions, providing accurate and timely guidance to department, School, and University staff and leadership.
• Identify, monitor, and mitigate potential risks to School and University administration, operations, community, and reputation arising from admissions-related policies, practices, and student matters.
• Maintain departmental procedural resources, records, and databases to support consistent practices, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement to policy understanding and administration.
• Ensure the consistent and appropriate application of policy by the advising team through initial and ongoing training, guidance, and quality oversight.
• Manage and administer the policy petition process for all predegree students, including evaluating complex requests, issuing communications, and preparing materials for escalation to the Administrative Policy Committee and Administrative Board.
• Evaluate and resolve complicated predegree student concerns and complaints, engaging with students in a helpful, respectful, and accessible manner.
• Directly manage predegree and admissions advisors and the Assistant Director of Predegree Advising and Admissions Policy Management, providing coaching, performance management, professional development, and operational guidance; model and reinforce departmental values to support a collaborative, accountable, and student-centered work environment.
• Participate as a member of the OPA&A leadership team in annual and seasonal departmental processes for managing degree program changes, application and admission eligibility reviews and reporting, and student communications.
• Integrate, extract, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from multiple HES systems and external sources, developing clear and concise reports, dashboards, presentations, and other data visualizations that communicate findings, trends, implications, and recommendations to stakeholders in an accessible and actionable manner.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to OPA&A leadership and a policy and operational resource for peer and senior DCE colleagues, informing stakeholders and participating in relevant meetings and cross-functional initiatives as needed.

Working Conditions:

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Hybrid workplace models in place at DCE with a minimum of 2 days per week on campus. DCE or department may adjust these as necessary or appropriate.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years' relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree in higher education administration, business administration, or a related field strongly preferred
• Significant experience in admissions, advising, student services, higher education administration, or a related field
• Demonstrated success supervising, coaching, and developing professional staff
• Experience interpreting, applying, and communicating complex policies and regulations
• Experience managing sensitive or high-risk situations using sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy
• Demonstrated analytical skills with experience interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to inform operational and strategic decisions
• Experience improving business processes and implementing operational efficiencies
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and build effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with enterprise student information systems, CRM platforms, and reporting tools (Banner, Salesforce, JIRA/Confluence, or comparable systems) preferred
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple initiatives, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $90K-$110K/annual
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • A cover letter is highly encouraged for consideration.
  • All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

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 058. 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.