Specialist, Operations and Resource Management, Executive Education

16-Oct-2024

Specialist, Operations and Resource Management, Executive Education

Harvard Business School

67041BR

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, Resource Allocation, and working as a member of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education Operations and Resource Management team, the Specialist, Operations and Resource Management will work collaboratively with three distinct yet connected operationally focused groups within Executive Education (ExEd): Resource Allocation, Facilities and Emergency Management, and ExEd Operations. The primary focus of these three teams is to provide logistical support and operational guidance in order to advance ExEd business initiatives. The Operations and Resource Management team is primarily responsible for scheduling over 10,000+ events annually, ranging from academic sessions, participant dining, program exercises, executive coaching, and meetings. The group also handles the bedroom assignments and check-in process of over 12,000 participants annually. The team's involvement extends to include the management and upkeep of ExEd's world-class facilities, which include 514 bedrooms across three residence halls, 9 stadium-style classrooms, 2 Live Online Classrooms, a multipurpose building with a 520-person capacity dining space, 2 flat-floored classrooms, 14 project rooms, and programmable common space.

The Specialist, Operations and Resource Management role requires the unique skill set of balancing an appreciation of ExEd's operational challenges and opportunities within the larger HBS and Harvard University ecosystem with various administrative and relationship management capabilities.

Position Description

• Functions as the primary contact for all ExEd space reservation needs (academic activities, staff meetings, coaching sessions, special programming, etc.) and leverages facilities management knowledge to produce appropriate and productive solutions, based on the needs of each individual request.
• Manages the Program Resources & Operations shared inbox, handling ExEd space related requests and fulfilling these requests or directing inquiries to the appropriate campus contact.
• Sets agenda for, and hosts, bi-weekly meetings with program delivery teams focused on the scheduling of participant dining events and on-campus accommodations. Proactively approaches the scheduling of meals and housing, allowing the Resource Allocation team to address enhanced requests, issues, and potential conflicts in a timely manner.
• Offers ad hoc/on-demand meetings with Program Directors, Program Managers, and their respective teams to review program logistics and troubleshoot issues in real-time in order to find creative solutions, especially given increased program modalities, needs, and complexities.
• Acts as a liaison between the Operations and Resource Management and program delivery teams, ensuring that both groups are kept up to date on operational best practices. Identifies gaps in training and advises on applicable training resources and opportunities.
• Serves as an escalation point for time-sensitive process issues across the organization.
• Stays current on various ExEd, HBS, and Harvard University initiatives and demonstrates the ability to incorporate these insights into decision-making.
• Facilitates clear and effective communication between internal ExEd teams and other campus departments, ensuring information is shared thoughtfully and accurately. Assists in drafting key updates, meeting notes, and reminders on behalf of the Operations and Resource Management team.
• Nurtures partnerships with HBS groups, including Campus Services, Restaurant Associates, Housekeeping, and the Live Online Classrooms(LOC) team. At times, will need to leverage these relationships to advocate for ExEd needs to campus partners, while at other times, advocating for campus partner needs to ExEd.
• Executes operational decisions in real time while considering potential downstream implications for other groups.
• Assists the Associate Director, ExEd Operations in maintaining an Operations and Resource Management SharePoint site. The site is a repository of information related to Resource Allocation, Facilities and Emergency Management, and ExEd Operations. The Specialist, Operations and Resource Management will be responsible for assigned deliverables, including the expansion of the SharePoint site to be a resource for all internal ExEd groups and eventually growing it to be an asset that will complement public-facing pages of the external ExEd website.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned, including occasional Guest Services coverage as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
• 5+ years of experience in administrative support role(s) and/or related experience is required.
• Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) experience is a must.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Prior experience in delivering executive education programs is preferred.
• A deep understanding of the roles, tasks, duties, and cross-functional competencies of the Resource Allocation, Facilities and Emergency Management, and ExEd Operations teams is a key attribute.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment, collaborating effectively across teams within ExEd and campus-wide.
• Capability to think quickly, manage multiple priorities and generate solutions when unexpected problems arise.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Excellent customer service and organizational skills, as well administrative coordination experience.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Must be flexible, energetic, diplomatic and detail oriented.

Additional Information

This is a 40 hours/week, overtime-eligible position.

This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of onsite and remote work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 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. Please note that for the first 90 days of employment, you will be expected to be onsite 5 days/week.

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.

About Us

Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 250 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and PhD degrees, as well as more than 175 Executive Education programs, and Harvard Business School Online, the School’s digital learning platform. For more than a century, faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their passion for teaching, to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. The School and its curriculum attract the boldest thinkers and the most collaborative learners who will go on to shape the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe.

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.

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services, General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

403040 Coordinator II

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

------------

Salary Grade

055

Department

Executive Education

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity

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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