Vice President and Secretary to the University

03-Dec-2024

Vice President and Secretary to the University

University Administration

67531BR

Job Summary

Reporting to the President, the Vice President and Secretary of the University leads the Office of Governing Boards (OGB).

The Vice President and Secretary works in close collaboration with colleagues within the OGB and across the University to provide high-quality executive support for both the President and Fellows (the Corporation) and the Board of Overseers as these two boards pursue their central roles in Harvard’s governance.

As the chief administrative officer of the governing boards, the Vice President and Secretary also serves as a member of the President’s senior team, the Academic Council, and the Administrative Council.

This position requires exceptional diplomatic, organizational, communication, and leadership skills to effectively manage complex operations and facilitate decision-making at the highest levels within the University.
 

Position Description

Key Responsibilities:
1. Corporation Support

• Serve as principal staff for meetings and other activities of the President and Fellows (the Corporation).
• Serve as principal staff for presidential searches and searches for new Fellows. Serve as principal staff for the Corporation committee on governance, and help to guide the work of the Corporation’s committees on finance, facilities, and shareholder responsibility.
• Develop meeting schedules, prepare agendas and meeting plans with principal guidance from the President or relevant committee chair, prepare and/or review meeting materials and minutes, and maintain formal records.
• Develop and manage the orientation of new Fellows with guidance from the committee on governance, and serve as principal University liaison to Fellows for their range of board-related activities.
• In concert with other offices, assure that the President, the Senior Fellow, the Treasurer, and other Fellows have the support and services needed to fulfill their fiduciary roles. Facilitate the Fellows’ outreach and engagement activities as appropriate.

• Serve as principal staff for meetings and other activities of the Board of Overseers, including its plenary sessions and dinner programs.
• Serve as principal staff for the executive committee and its several subcommittees. Help to guide the work of the Board’s standing committees including humanities and arts; social sciences; natural and applied sciences; finance, administration, and management; institutional policy; and schools, the College, and continuing education.
• Develop meeting schedules, prepare agendas and meeting plans with principal guidance from the President or relevant committee chair, prepare and/or review meeting materials and minutes, and maintain formal records.
• Develop and manage the orientation of new Overseers with guidance from the subcommittee on governance and serve as principal University liaison to Overseers for their range of board-related activities.
• In concert with other offices, assure that the Overseers have the support and services needed to fulfill their oversight roles. Facilitate appropriate outreach and engagement activities.

• Serve as principal staff for the joint (Overseers and Corporation) committee on appointments. Help to guide the work of the joint committee on alumni affairs and development, the advisory committee on honorary degrees, and the joint committee on inspection.

• In collaboration with the Provost’s Office and the Schools, help to guide the work of approximately 50 visiting committees to various Schools, FAS academic departments, and other units. Supervise other members of the OGB who staff and perform the bulk of this work.
• Promote sound and effective visitation guidelines and practices, in collaboration with responsible Overseers and relevant internal offices.

• Work closely with the Harvard Alumni Association committee responsible for nominating candidates for Overseer, participating as an ex officio nonvoting member.
• Serve as principal staff for the consideration by responsible members of the governing boards of policies and practices relating to the nomination and election of Overseers.
• Work with colleagues to guide the administration of the annual Overseers election.

• Lead the Office of Governing Boards, managing a team of roughly a dozen staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and initiatives, effective collaboration with other offices, and operational excellence.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and development opportunities for staff, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes high-quality performance.
• Coordinate resources and streamline operations across the office to support effective governance-related activities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in a complex organization.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• An advanced degree, particularly a JD, strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience in high-level administrative or governance roles.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Superior organizational and project management abilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the acumen to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong drafting and editing ability.
• Commitment to confidentiality at all times, along with superior judgment.
• Experience in policy development, strategic planning, and organizational leadership is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with governance, board operations, or stakeholder engagement practices.

Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to 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.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

361064 Administrative Manager

Work Format

On-Site

Sub-Unit

Office of the President and Provost

Salary Grade

064

Department

Office of the Governing Boards

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week

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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