Job Summary

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines?architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate?as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications. The immense variety of people, programs, and ideas at the School sustains a vibrant and rich environment for learning, inquiry, and collaboration, unlike any other design school.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Academic and Strategic Planning oversees the development and implementation of online courses and learning content for the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) to meet the needs and interests of both internal and external audiences.

The Associate Director serves as the key liaison between the GSD and Harvard University?s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL). In this role, the Associate Director collaborates closely with GSD faculty leads to develop and produce online courses while also guiding the overall strategy for online learning and content at the GSD. This role maintains regular communication with Harvard partners, including VPAL, Harvard University IT (HUIT), Harvard Law School, and Harvard Business School.

The Associate Director combines outstanding video production and video editing skills with an academic sensibility, an understanding of creative/media approaches to learning and pedagogy, the diplomacy necessary to manage and work within matrixed teams, and rigorous project management. Familiarity with curricular degree programs and requirements in the design fields is highly desirable.

Position Description

• Works independently and collaboratively to lead the development of high-quality online courses and learning experiences in alignment with GSD priorities.
• Serves as the GSD?s project manager for online course and content development, serving both external audiences and the School?s curricular degree programs.
• Ensures the timely development and implementation of curriculum and project plans.
• Communicates effectively with assigned project faculty, team members, external consultants, and stakeholders for alignment between product goals and design execution.
• Drafts preliminary materials for online course project proposals.
• Provides editorial support and best practices for online learning environments, including the School?s LMS (Canvas).
• Collaborates with project producers, instructional designers, and additional VPAL colleagues to develop educational materials.
• Explores content and delivery methods as appropriate for online learning formats (including lecture videos, self-paced tutorials, assessments, class exercises, etc.).
• Contributes to the development of design templates and best practices for course design, as well as rubrics and quality standards for assessment of online courses.
• Manages research assistants in acquiring, producing, and documenting course asset needs (such as images, videos, maps, or other digital learning tools).
• Additional duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:

• Degree in education, instructional technology, or related field plus five years of related field or work experience (advanced degree may count towards work experience).
• Strong project management and communication (written and verbal) skills in a deadline-driven environment with competing priorities.
• Proven successful work experience in educational media, education publishing, digital publishing, academic technology, or teaching and learning support.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume are required with the submission of your application.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Strong background in video production.
• Degree in architecture or related design discipline, or knowledge of the curricular requirements of degree programs in the design disciplines.

Physical Requirements

Position involves frequent use of computer keyboard and mouse.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid position that is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. One or more days a week is required for on-site work; additional on-site days will be scheduled based on the needs of this position. This position will occasionally require evening and weekend work.

Additional Information

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, a cover letter and resume are required with the submission of your application.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

For more information about Harvard GSD see: https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• 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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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