Executive Assistant, Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs

About the role

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. Harvard Divinity School (HDS) is a nonsectarian school of religious and theological studies that educates students both in the pursuit of the academic study of religion and in preparation for leadership in religious, governmental, and a wide range of service organizations. HDS provides an intellectual home where scholars and professionals from around the globe research and teach the varieties of religion, in service of a just world at peace across religious and cultural divides. The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative, operational, and project support to the Academic Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans for Faculty and Academic Affairs, and the broader Dean’s Office. Working with a high degree of independence, discretion, and professionalism, the position manages complex scheduling, supports faculty governance and academic initiatives, coordinates cross-functional projects, and serves as a key liaison among faculty, academic leadership, and central University offices.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced administrative support to academic leadership, including calendar management, meeting coordination, correspondence, and preparation of agendas and briefing materials.
• Track action items and ensure timely follow-up on priorities and initiatives.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Serve as backup support for the Dean’s Office and Administrative Dean’s Office as needed.
• Coordinate faculty meetings, Faculty Council meetings, committee meetings, workshops, and other academic governance activities.
• Support faculty-related processes, special initiatives, and strategic planning efforts.
• Serve as a liaison between faculty, academic leadership, and University offices to facilitate communication and collaboration.
• Support strategic projects and initiatives led by the Dean’s Office and Office of Academic Affairs.
• Develop and maintain systems, workflows, and processes that improve operational effectiveness.
• Assist with data collection, reporting, document preparation, and project tracking.
• Coordinate and execute faculty meetings, leadership events, accreditation reviews, Visiting Committee activities, workshops, lectures, and other special events.
• Manage logistics including scheduling, communications, materials preparation, technology support, and vendor coordination.
• Support both in-person and virtual events.
• Maintain organized records, files, and documentation systems.
• Assist with budget tracking, expense processing, and administrative operations.
• Support collaboration across academic and administrative units and help manage increasing cross-functional demands.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience, preferably supporting senior leadership in higher education.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Demonstrated success managing complex calendars, projects, and competing priorities.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and relationship‑management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to exercise sound judgment with confidential information.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, high‑visibility environment.
• Experience in higher education or academic administration preferred; Harvard administrative experience strongly preferred.

Benefits

• 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

Schedule

Standard schedule: 35 hours per week. Four‑day on‑campus presence expected during the academic year, with additional flexibility for a compressed schedule and hybrid work during the summer months. Occasional early morning, evening, and weekend commitments may be required in support of meetings, events, and academic priorities.