The Program Director reports to Associate Director and works collaboratively with leadership and staff, including our offices in Brazil, Chile and Mexico. The role is responsible for leading the strategy, operations and evaluation of three key programs: Visiting Scholars and Fellows, Robert F. Kennedy Visiting Professorship in Latin American Studies and Faculty Grants. The role manages all program aspects and plays an integral part in delivering outcomes and ensuring an outstanding experience for our Visiting Scholars, Fellows and Professors, and faculty from across campus who receive funding from DRCLAS.

Visiting Scholar and Fellows Program

• Work with finance to produce program budget and decide which appointments to fill; request payments to scholars and ensure stipends are processed/received; secure and manage vendors, negotiate contracts, ensure invoice accuracy and payments.

• Work with communications to create promotion materials; solicit website updates; maintain application platform; collaborate with overseas offices and funders in promotional activities; identify opportunities to capture participant experience.

• Gather feedback from reviewers, filter through hundreds of applications for EC review, create evaluation rubrics; communicate with selected scholars pre, during and post processes.

• Manage scholars/fellows onboarding process; collaborate with finance and HR team to complete academic appointments; works with Harvard International Office to ensure compliance with protocols and secure documentation; secure access to libraries, IT and other resources; serve as primary point of contact and act swiftly to resolve emerging issues.

• Develop and execute program activities: Director’s welcome, orientation, colloquiums, joint centers reception, site visits, closing ceremony; create/maintain program materials (checklists, handbooks); facilitate sense of belonging and cohort experience and ensure superb and consistent participant experience.

• Maintain program database; develop and execute alumni engagement strategies.

• Develop, administer, and analyze program evaluation. Share relevant information.

Faculty Grants

Manage all aspects of two annual cycles of grants dedicated to support faculty activities both on campus and within the region (research, course development and conferences):

• Promote grants across the university.

• Update forms, clarify eligibility and selection criteria.

• Receive and review requests, answering questions from applicants.

• Manage selection committee of senior faculty from across Harvard; convene meetings, prepare and send materials, document committee’s decision.

• Notify selected applicants and gather additional information as needed.

• Provide information to finance team to disburse amount; answer questions from applicants related to remaining funds, extensions or appropriate uses of funding.

• Find opportunities to make process more efficient and effective.

Robert F. Kennedy Visiting Professorship

• Coordinate onboarding process, including collaborating with host department, Finance team and Harvard International Office to complete academic appointments, ensure compliance with protocols and secure documentation, access to resources.

• Work with finance to produce program budget; request payments to scholars and ensure travel stipends are processed and received.

• Nurture relationships with academic institutions throughout Latin America.

• Work with Executive Committee, Program Faculty Committees, program staff and overseas offices in developing a pipeline.

• Socialize opportunities with departments and identify internal champions.

• Organize lectures to expose faculty to academics in Latin America.

Others:

• Build relationships with faculty across the university, particularly those on our Executive Committee and Program Committees.

• Plan Director’s Faculty Colloquium, a quarterly faculty lecture for affiliated faculty and staff.

• Manage DRCLAS affiliates, access to library and other resources. Request renewals/ terminations as needed.

• Master's Degree.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive program management experience, managing large and complex programs.

• Knowledge of basic computer software such as Microsoft Office tools.
• Experience using CRM, project management or program application platforms.
• Experience reviewing academic proposals and program applications; ability to read and understand research proposals from a wide variety of fields, from hard sciences to literature.
• Fluency in Spanish required. Portuguese a plus.
• Superb customer service skills, problem-solving attitude, and ability to manage high-stress situations, maintaining professionalism and diplomacy.
• Adaptable, flexible, and tactical to accommodate last-minute requests and changes when possible.
• Demonstrated close attention to detail and time management.
• Ability to work in a fast-spaced environment with competing deadlines and evolving priorities. Excellent relationship building skills – ability to work with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent communications and written skills.
• Ability to quickly learn new software tools.
• Passion for Latin America and the Caribbean a plus.
• Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments and international contexts.
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, personal humility and authenticity.
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, backgrounds, and goals.

• Ability to lift/move at least 50 lbs. required (involves setting up and breaking down chairs, tables etc.).

• Must work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
• This is a 3-year term position with a strong possibility of renewal.
• We regret that we will not be able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

• 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.