Executive Director of the Fellowship Program

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. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

About the Role

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration. We bring together students, scholars, artists, and practitioners to pursue curiosity-driven research, expand human understanding, and grapple with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.

• The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars.
• Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public.
• The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute's commitment to women, gender, and society.
• The Emerging Leaders Program is a youth leadership development program partnering local high school sophomores with Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship.

The Institute’s work is shaped by its history as the former Radcliffe College—a school founded to ensure that the standard of education embodied in Harvard was accessible to women, who were then excluded from the University.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Program Direction
  • Provide intellectual and administrative leadership for the Radcliffe Fellowship Program, encompassing the core academic-year fellowships and related components such as the Radcliffe Research Partners Program (with undergraduates), a summer program of visiting fellows, and other affiliated initiatives.
  • Formulate and implement short- and long-term strategic plans that sustain Radcliffe’s position as an innovative, field-leading residential fellowship program and align the program with the Institute’s mission, strategic plan, and evolving academic and public landscapes.
  • Collaborate with the Associate Dean, Dean, and other Institute leadership to integrate the fellowship program with related efforts across the Institute.
• Recruitment, Selection, and Alumni Engagement
  • Develop and implement application guidelines and outreach strategies that attract a diverse, multidisciplinary, and international applicant pool across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
  • Lead the annual selection process for approximately 50 fellows, working closely with external reviewers, the Associate Dean and Dean, and other senior colleagues to ensure a rigorous, equitable, and transparent review.
  • In collaboration with External Relations, design and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy that maintains fellows’ connection to Radcliffe and Harvard and supports ongoing intellectual, professional, and institutional relationships.
• Program Design, Delivery, and Assessment
  • Oversee the design and delivery of the year-round fellowship experience, including orientation, weekly lunches and colloquia, seminars and workshops, and the culminating annual fellowship event; identify and develop additional programs and events that deepen intellectual community and engagement.
  • Ensure effective administrative structures and processes for all stages of the fellowship lifecycle, from application and review through residency and alumni engagement.
  • Lead ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of the program, including annual surveys of academic-year fellows and periodic surveys of alumni, and incorporate findings into program design.
• External Representation, Partnerships, and Advancement
  • Work with Communications and External Relations to develop strategies and materials that effectively present fellows and their projects to internal and external audiences, including Institute supporters, alumni, and the general public; prepare regular reports and presentations for the Dean’s Advisory Council and other stakeholders.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with peer leaders at other institutes for advanced study and related organizations and monitor emerging models and best practices in fellowship programs.
  • Actively support fellows in establishing connections across Harvard to maximize their residency experience, serving as a trusted advisor, advocating and providing introductions and/or recommendations as appropriate.
• Staff, Financial, and Operational Management
  • Lead and manage the Fellowship Program staff responsible for administering the annual selection cycle and operating the year-round program; set goals and expectations, provide regular feedback, and support staff development in a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
  • Direct the department’s multiyear financial planning and annual budgeting processes; monitor expenditures to ensure sound stewardship of resources and adherence to approved budgets.

Working Conditions

• Work is typically performed in a professional office setting within a university environment.
• The role requires frequent collaboration with faculty, staff, fellows, students, and external partners, both in person and virtually.
• The position may involve attending and hosting events in lecture halls, meeting rooms, and other campus venues.
• The work environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, with periods of high activity during the fellowship recruitment, selection, and residency cycles.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent in-person meetings, presentations, and events, including moving between buildings on campus.
• Effective communication in person, by phone, and via electronic communication.
• Occasional lifting and moving of materials (such as files, event materials, or equipment) up to 15–20 pounds.
• Some evening and weekend work, particularly during peak program periods and special events.
• Limited domestic and/or international travel may be required for conferences, outreach, or partnership development.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications
  • Post-graduate degree required; doctoral degree is strongly preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, program leadership, or a closely related field in higher education or a comparable scholarly setting, including:
    • Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and overseeing complex academic, research, or fellowship programs (e.g., institutes, centers, residencies, or large-scale academic initiatives).
    • Proven experience managing professional staff, including hiring, supervising, and developing individuals and/or teams.
    • Effective collaboration with faculty, scholars, artists, and/or practitioners across disciplines.
    • Strategic planning and budgetary responsibility for a program or department.
    • Strong written and oral communication skills, as reflected in professional roles that involve writing for diverse audiences (e.g., reports, proposals) and institutional representation.
• Additional Qualifications and Skills
  • Experience leading or playing a central role in a fellowship program or an institute for advanced study.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing inclusion and belonging in academic programs, particularly through recruitment and support of diverse cohorts.
  • Experience working with alumni, advisory councils, and/or donors, and collaborating with communications and development/advancement professionals.
  • Familiarity with Harvard University and/or the Harvard Radcliffe Institute is highly desirable.
  • Comfort working with data and digital platforms for application, review, and assessment processes.
  • Ability to thrive in a complex, matrixed environment, and juggling multiple priorities.

Schedule

35 hours per week.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing, including:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plans and employer contributions.
• Wellness programs and resources.
• Professional development opportunities.