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.
Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Education?
The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.
Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu
The EdRedesign Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education seeks an inaugural Chief Program Officer (CPO) to serve as a member of the organization’s Executive Leadership Team. The CPO will oversee the design, implementation, growth, and impact of EdRedesign’s flagship talent development programs and field-building initiatives supporting 70+ communities nationwide to develop cradle-to-career systems of opportunity that place millions of young people and families on pathways to educational attainment and economic mobility.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the CPO will catalyze programmatic innovations, cultivate a high-performing and collaborative team culture, contribute to organizational strategy and fundraising, and help position EdRedesign as a leading national hub in US higher education advancing the cradle-to-career place-based partnership field. This role is ideal for a mission-driven leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence and is passionate about improving outcomes for children, youth, and families through collective impact across education, health, workforce, housing, social services, and related community development systems.
Job-Specific Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership and Oversight of Flagship Talent Development Programs
Institute for Success Planning — supporting cross-sector collaborations across the nation to develop relationship-based personalized systems of support for young people and families.
EdRedesign Fellowship for Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leaders — supporting the comprehensive leadership development of the next wave of senior leaders of cradle-to-career place-based partnerships.
By All Means Senior Fellows Program— a visiting fellowship for exemplary senior leaders of place-based collaborative action.
Student Pathways Programming — advancing strategies to enroll Harvard students and emerging young professionals across the nation into careers in the cradle-to-career place-based field.
Emerging Talent Development Initiatives — emerging efforts to build replicable talent development infrastructure within Harvard Graduate School of Education degree programs, HGSE professional education and the broader Harvard University ecosystem. The development of strategic partnerships with mission-aligned US higher education institutions and national field-leading talent development programs and organizations.
Key program-level responsibilities:
Provide strategic leadership, coaching, mentoring and professional development support to the EdRedesign program team.
Provide strategic financial stewardship and oversight to all of EdRedesign’s flagship talent development programs
Lead the development and execution of a multi-year strategy to refine EdRedesign’s programmatic priorities, strengthen and scale flagship programs, and ensure alignment with the organization’s field-building objectives.
Play a leading role in ensuring effective cross-departmental collaboration between EdRedesign’s program team and the research, communications, finance, and operations teams.
Ensure program quality, innovation, and measurable impact across all offerings.
Dedicate time and space with the programs team to pursue innovative practices, pilot new ideas, and adapt programming to emerging needs and sector-wide demand in the field. Identify opportunities for program enhancements, and strategic partnerships to fill gaps in the talent development landscape.
Organization-wide Leadership and Cross-Departmental Alignment
Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team that sets the agenda for organization-wide strategic planning, resource allocation, and decision-making.
Serves as the designated second-in-command on behalf of the Executive Director in their absence, providing leadership and decision-making authority across the organization's programmatic and operational functions.
Work in close collaboration with EdRedesign’s Executive Team and senior staff to shape cross-departmental alignment, organizational culture, staff professional development, and the development of systems of operational excellence.
Work in close collaboration with EdRedesign’s Executive Team and senior staff to develop an organization-wide learning and professional development agenda.
Champion a culture of commitment to EdRedesign’s core values: equity, partnership, humility, vision, and learning.
Strategic Partnerships, Fundraising and External Relations
Develop and steward strategic partnerships that advance EdRedesign's mission and expand its impact. Identify new opportunities to expand the footprint of the cradle-to-career place-based partnership field with national nonprofits, higher education institutions, national networks, national service programs, community-based organizations, local governments, school districts, and related spheres of influence.
Provide strategic leadership, oversight and coverage to a subset of EdRedesign’s special projects, with a particular focus on emerging programming related to federal, state, and local policy implementation.
Work in close collaboration with EdRedesign’s senior staff to deepen strategic partnerships across the Harvard University ecosystem with mission-aligned centers, programs, initiatives, faculty, and staff.
Partner with the Executive Director and development team to secure philanthropic support for programs and organizational growth.
Contribute to EdRedesign funding proposals for relevant signature initiatives and external engagements
Provide strategic support to donor cultivation, proposal development, reporting, and stewardship activities.
Serve as a spokesperson for EdRedesign in key venues that advance the organization’s thought leadership and field-level contributions, including major conferences and community events. Periodically deliver presentations, keynotes, and related talks. Participate in relevant panel discussions that advance national field-building.
Participate in national working groups, steering committees, and related field-building efforts.
Working Conditions:
EdRedesign is a hybrid work environment with some staff working in the office at least part of each work week while other staff are primarily remote. The Chief Program Officer may opt for either work arrangement in consultation with the Executive Director.
Basic Qualifications:
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.
