The Loeb Fellowship is an institution established in 1970 by John and Francis Loeb. It is unique in design education. It supports up to ten accomplished mid-career practitioners, influential in shaping the built environment, whose work is advancing positive social outcomes in the US and around the world. The Fellowship selects leaders from broad backgrounds. Fellows are civic leaders, journalists, architects, technologists, urban planners and designers, activists, landscape architects, policymakers, and public artists. Fellows are given a stipend, housing, and a full academic year of independent study and engagement with the GSD and larger university community. Fellows audit classes at the GSD and throughout the network of Harvard and MIT. They engage with faculty and students, participate in Fellowship events, and collaborate with their peers. They become part of a powerful network of alumni passionately committed to revitalizing communities.
The program director will work with and report to the curator of the Fellowship. The position oversees the administration of the Fellowship and will help develop and support the overall strategy for the Fellowship's engagement with the GSD, develop the Fellowship's outreach strategy, alumni engagement, and future program expansion. The Fellowship plans to expand the scope of its programming over the next few years. By playing a critical role in this transformation, the position offers a unique opportunity for personal growth and fulfillment, enabling the Fellowship to create new avenues of positive impact in the world.
Position Description
Administrative Management
Directs administrative agenda of and performs high-level administrative functions for the Loeb Fellowship office, including digital and in-person public programs and events management, subcontracting and contractor management, program engagement with GSD faculty and students, and social events with other University programs and centers.
Work closely with curator and the program coordinator to support the overall administrative health of the Fellowship program including: activities of the Fellows, events, travel, housing, visa application processing, onboarding and offboarding, day-to-day communications, and alumni relations.
Manages the program coordinator, and oversees the day-to-day activities of and setting the intermediate and long-term goals for the program coordinator.
Work with curator and the program coordinator to manage the Fellowship nomination and selection process and Selection Committee (communications, meetings, elections), including reviewing applications with the curator, weighing in on ranking and selection, and facilitating curator's reports.
Program Development
Work with curator to create and execute the program development trajectory of the Fellowship, including managing advisory committee(s) and/or working group(s).
Work with the curator to identify and engage with external actors (donors, foundations, research centers, institutions etc.) and pursue joint collaborations.
Coordinate with Fellows, faculty, alumni, GSD, and university counterparts to further overall growth strategy.
Serve as a key interface across the Fellowship's various stakeholders - including donors, external institutions/organizations, faculty, alumni, research programs, GSD leadership, and university counterparts.
Works with curator and Development and Alumni Relations (DevAR) in developing strategies, programs and initiatives to identify, cultivate and solicit gift prospects; manage a portfolio of the Fellowship's prospects and donors; with the curator and DevAR, draft briefings, proposals, and gift terms as well as provide stewardship and reporting to gift donors
Alumni Support and Management
With the curator and program coordinator, interfaces with all alumni, alumni groups, and volunteer boards and committees
Collaborates with Loeb Alumni to develop and facilitate alumni activities, formal and informal, ranging from Loeb Fellowship Alumni Council (LFAC) elections and financial reporting to virtual and in-person programming to annual trips and/or reunions
With the program coordinator, develops, updates, and maintains communications strategies and channels
Other
Work closely with curator and the GSD's Communications office to provide strategic, integrated communication solutions in support of outreach; develop content strategy and communications materials that support the Fellowship's mission, recruitment, content about the Fellowship's impact.
Works with GSD facilities staff to coordinate and oversee Fellows' housing.
Supports projects related to the Fellowship as needed.
Perform other responsibilities as needed
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises one admin staff and various technical sub-contractors.
Basic Qualifications
Masters and 5 years' experience or Bachelor's and 7 years' experience, 5+ years of strategy, fundraising, communications and/or related experience required; diverse international experience also required.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
Superior organizational skills, excellent writing, editing, oral communications, and interpersonal skills.
Preference for those with design/art/social science background and/or a graduate degree in a related field.
Interest in and knowledge of design, social justice, social impact, and the built and natural environment.
Demonstrated experience in leading organizational growth and strategy, along with a demonstrated ability to think and execute strategically and critically.
Ability to work across a diverse prospect portfolio; ability to multi-task and work in a dynamic team environment.
Must have the ability to evaluate problems accurately and display good, sound, and confidential judgment. Must have the ability to innovate, think conceptually, and handle even difficult situations with calmness and professionalism.
Must be detail and results focused; ability to work both independently and as a member of a small team, within the context of a larger bureaucracy; proven ability to motivate, engage, and work with prospects, university officials, faculty, and staff or similar constituencies.
Experience in developing communications initiatives; ability to travel domestically and internationally.
An entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to building a highly productive organization.
Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and to develop and implement forward-thinking and creative strategies.
Working Conditions
Candidates must reside in one of the following authorized payroll states: Massachusetts, all of New England, New York, Maryland and California.
Until our return to campus and full operational status, which is still to-be-determined, this interview process and position will take place in a modified manner – including virtual interviews, remote onboarding, and remote work.
Additional Information
The Harvard Graduate School of Design is passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and professional work environment. Applicants of all race, ability, gender expression and identity, sexuality, religion, education, class, national origin, and diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
In order to be considered for this role, a cover letter is required. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. We regret that we cannot sponsor a work visa.
Salary Grade: 058
Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
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.
About Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
