Job Summary

The Labs Director at the Digital Data Design Institute is a pivotal leadership role responsible for managing and steering the growth of labs within the Institute. Labs are classified as mature, growing, or incubating based on funding and productivity. The Lab Director will play a key role in developing strategic direction, directing research activities, fostering partnerships, and ensuring operational excellence or a portfolio of research labs.

Position Description

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Framework for Research:

• Develop and implement a strategic framework for research within the labs with Principal Investigators, aligning with the Institute?s mission and goals.

• Develop and manage relationships with strategic partners, research institutions, companies, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Liaise with researchers and companies for collaborative research projects and dissemination-related activities.

3. Lab Vision and Research:

• Work with faculty members to develop portfolio of research projects at scale.
• Collaborate closely with faculty to shape and execute multiple modalities of research within the labs.

4. Staff Management:

• Work with PIs to:
  • Lead research teams by providing guidance on research topics and activities and foster a team culture within the labs.
  • Manage the work of postdoctoral fellows, researcher associates, and other lab staff.
  • Create operating procedures and lab culture
• Work with shared services in the Labs unit on compliance, events, visitors, and other administrative duties.

5. University Administration:

• Serve as the lead administrative point of contact on all lab activities, ensuring smooth coordination and communication within the labs and with internal University stakeholders.
• Assist faculty in managing research compliance needs, including the coordination of Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, data use agreements (DUA), and data safety application process with lab researchers; promote best practices for the responsible conduct of research and research integrity.

6. Grant Management and Oversight:

• Works in close partnership with the lab PI and coordinates with Harvard Business School(HBS) with D^3 grants processes and personnel to:
  • Coordinate with HBS Division of Research and Faculty Development (DRFD) to work with IQSS/OSP on grants and sponsored research related activities
  • Ensure PIs stay on track to meet University and HBS deadlines and requests for information.
  • There is close coordination among all parties on grants related activities such as budget development and proposal submission, developing and monitoring project budgets, tracking of expenditures, and preparing accurate financial reports.
• Supports the PI in building a compliance culture and ensuring compliance with University grants terms and policies.

7. Financial Oversight and Management:

• Oversee the labs? funding including complex funding through grants and gifts, as well as managing expenses related to HBS funding.
• Prepare deliverables and reports related to internal and external funding, monitor timelines and budgets, collaborate with the internal finance team, communicate with external funders as appropriate.

8. Writing and Curriculum Development:

• Write white papers and academic articles concerning the original research conducted by the labs with the aim of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Assist in the development of curriculum and dissemination activities around topics the labs research.

9. This role is responsible for other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree
• 10+ years of experience in an academic or research setting managing complex projects.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated management experience.
• Proven track record of strategic planning, program development, and project management in complex and dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including team building, coaching, and collaboration across departments and disciplines.
• Experience leading research teams.
• Strong understanding of digital technologies, data analytics, and design principles, with the ability to translate technical concepts into accessible and engaging content.
• Grant management or government contracting experience, post- and pre-award.
• Experience setting and managing budgets with a strong financial background.
• Significant experience with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and research compliance in an academic setting.
• Experience in experimental social science and with research tools.
• Interdisciplinary knowledge
• Ability to process and digest complex scientific information
• Exposure to data science and software systems
• Experience running field experiments and surveys
• Experience working with vendors
• Experience with negotiation
• Experience using generative AI applications

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD preferred
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences

Additional Information

This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday - Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.

We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.

A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Harvard Business School will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Culture of Inclusion: The work and well-being of HBS is profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Explore more about HBS work culture here https://www.hbs.edu/employment.

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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