Dean of Administration and Chief Operations Officer

04-Mar-2024

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

65193BR

Job Summary

Reporting to the Dean of Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the Dean of Administration and Chief Operations Officer is a key member of the senior leadership team at HSDM. The Dean/COO will use their extensive professional background to provide strategic operational expertise and direction for the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, responsible for the day-to-day leadership of key functional departments including Facilities, Finance, Grant Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Risk and Compliance. The Dean/COO will provide support and mentorship to the six leaders who report to them, as well as effectively coordinate and help prioritize their work to optimize the efficiency of operations, planning, and implementation of organizational goals and new initiatives.

Position Description

The Dean/COO works collaboratively with internal and external constituents including Harvard Medical School (HMS) to ensure HSDM is meeting the goals and objectives set out by institutional leadership. In partnership with the senior leadership team, the Dean/COO participates in strategic planning, identification of organizational strategic goals, and establishment and monitoring of key performance indicators. They will amplify the strategic vision of the Dean of HSDM and be champion and advocate for the mission, vision, and core values of HSDM and Harvard University.

The Dean/COO will be an essential partner in educating and empowering faculty and staff to understand and join in the generation of strategies for meeting current and future challenges. They will ensure the success of HSDM through a period of transformation as measured by facility improvements, financial sustainability, clinical practice success, objective measures of quality and efficiency, and the continued growth and suffusion of the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging throughout the School. 

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a skilled operations leader with experience and good judgment in an academic setting. They will have served in the role of trusted advisor and financial steward to leadership on all business and financial matters and will have a record of establishing effective, collaborative relationships with clinical and administrative staff, faculty, and leaders. They will excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences. They will be a good listener in accordance with HSDM’s core values, and will have a record of effectiveness as a persuasive change agent. 

They will have a reputation for excellent judgment, decisiveness, initiative, and discretion in achieving organizational objectives. They will be skilled in analyzing situations accurately and taking effective action; eager to know and understand details without being mired in them. They will be known for providing a positive personal example through words and deeds and displaying personal integrity; supporting all levels of staff; taking responsibility for their actions and holding others accountable. 

The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree in business administration or a related field. They will have at least 15 years of management and financial experience. They will have extensive experience and demonstrated success in staff management and organizational operations. They will be a hands-on problem solver with the ability to influence change. The Dean/COO will be experienced in guiding and mentoring staff and effectively building and sustaining a culture and practice of teamwork. 

They will have demonstrated experience serving as an advisor to senior leaders, adding value beyond the strict definition of the position; able to advise on financial and strategic issues, balancing rigor, structure, stewardship, and effectiveness. They will have proven success inspiring and leading a data-driven, mission-oriented, service-minded team, and experience integrating the priorities of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into management and leadership. 

Critical Success Factors

• Establishment of strong and trusting relationships with the senior leadership team; recognition throughout HSDM as a thoughtful, curious, and effective colleague and leader.
• Progress toward setting the long-term agenda.
• Progress toward facilitating easier communication and collaboration across departments and development of effective team-based approaches.
• Creation of an organizational approach to accountability, including empowering all internal constituents to understand the effects of their actions on key organizational goals such as financial sustainability.
• Increased engagement, satisfaction, and retention among staff.
• Demonstrated ability to develop leaders.

Basic Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree in business administration or a related field.
•  They will have at least 15 years of management and financial experience. 
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in staff management and organizational operations.
• Demonstrated experience serving as an advisor to senior leaders, adding value beyond the strict definition of the position; able to advise on financial and strategic issues, balancing rigor, structure, stewardship, and effectiveness.
• Proven success inspiring and leading a data-driven, mission-oriented, service-minded team, and experience integrating the priorities of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into management and leadership. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• The ideal candidate will preferably have experience in complex, academically based environments (e.g., higher education, healthcare). They will have a working knowledge of healthcare financial management, compliance, and privacy.
• High-energy, team-oriented, and customer-focused with a passion for excellence consistent with Harvard’s culture and core values and operating with the utmost integrity.
• Politically savvy, able to successfully navigate a complex organization with multiple internal and external stakeholders, leading through influence and with transparency to gain trust and credibility.
• A superior relationship manager who can engage and coalesce numerous constituencies and build alliances and partnerships in implementing innovative solutions.
• An active listener with high emotional intelligence “EQ” who is open to and shares new concepts and ideas, synthesizes complex situations, provides clarity and illumination to others, and can facilitate and negotiate.
• Exception communication and presentation skills with genuine comfort in a front-facing leadership role and the ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative information into decision making.
• Highly organized and self-directed, able to develop comprehensive short- and long-term strategic and operational plans from broadly stated mission objectives.

Working Conditions

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Additional Information

Compensation

An attractive compensation package will be constructed commensurate with the background and experience of the selected candidate. 

We invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities to be a part of our community.

Referrals, recommendations, or suggestions for this role can be sent to:[email protected] . 

All formal offers will be made by HSDM Human Resources

We regret that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

Located in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) ranks as one of the preeminent schools of dental medicine in the country. HSDM educates clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders in the profession; boasts core strength in musculoskeletal-disease research; and offers students public health opportunities in local communities and across 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

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

366063 Administrative Dean

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Administration & Finance

Annual Salary Range

270,000-300,000

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Credit, Criminal, Education, Employment, 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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