Project Director, HBS Foundry

Job Summary

The Harvard Business School HBS Foundry is a new product to support the HBS mission of creating online learning and community experiences that bring business education to life. Reporting to the Launch Director, the HBS Foundry will be a content engine-based community, providing action-based information and opportunities for like-minded entrepreneurs to connect with each other and the content of HBS.

Opportunity

HBS Foundry is currently in its planning stages. HBS is seeking a self-starter to take this product from the idea phase to reality. HBS is dedicated to delivering high-quality business education with this product providing a focus on entrepreneurs. Benefits include being part of the HBS culture of learning and exposure to the larger University setting, while enjoying a fast-paced and high-energy, start-up environment.

Position Description

The Role
As the operational leader for HBS Foundry, you will have the opportunity to develop the product, build a team, and drive its long-term success, with a focus on expanding its portfolio and global reach. You will be a key player in developing the strategy that will ensure HBS Foundry continues to create value for HBS faculty, students, and entrepreneurs.

Principal Responsibilities
Develop the HBS Foundry product and project and build a team and business plan, while working closely with the Faculty Chairs and other departments including the Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) and the Rock Center. Research and implement a strategic marketing and outreach plan, assessing product offerings and potential markets. With a passion for the opportunities of digitally-based education, lead a team in executing the strategy for HBS Foundry to ensure the organization meets its education impact and financial objectives. Advance technology-enhanced learning, with a goal of creating a top-quality and dynamic level of customer engagement.

Specific Duties
Develop a deep understanding of the goals of HBS Foundry and the existing entrepreneurial resources and key relationships across HBS, including faculty, administrative leaders, i-lab, Rock Center, HBP, and Baker to understand their interests in the work of HBS Foundry and to create strong working relationships.

Design an organizational structure; build a team and key relationships to support the product.

Manage all aspects of product design, development, and HBS Foundryloyment.

Oversee the marketing and outreach strategy, enhance key market and partner relationships, and expand on existing collaborations.

Lead the development of product lines and content under the direction of the Faculty, keeping in consideration: supporting financial growth goals, having a variety of offerings to reflect faculty interest, maintaining the team’s ability to execute at a high level, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Collaborate with existing platform owners (Harvard Business Publishing, HBS Online) to develop a shared service model that can support subscribers through purchasing, registering, and use, including ‘help line’ support (digital).

Oversee customer experience and subscription process design, with the goal of a dynamic learning experience, smooth interface experiences, and access to support throughout the process.

Continue to build and enhance organizational culture, identity, and cohesiveness. Manage, motivate, and develop a growing staff of full-time employees and contractors. Ensure the alignment of all areas of the organization, including marketing (outreach), program management, technology-enhanced learning, student service operations, finance, information technology, and human resources.

Responsible for overall P&L, technology resources, vendor relationships, and legal compliance.

Represents HBS Foundry throughout HBS and with external constituents including key clients, alumni, partner institutions, and media. Build and nurture relationships with faculty and other administrative departments.

This role is responsible for other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Over 10 years of applicable expertise including successful track record of leadership, strategic marketing, and business acumen with a provpassion for digital solutions.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Deep experience and/or proven knowledge of entrepreneurship.
• Seeks creative and innovative solutions and enjoys finding synergies across an existing organization. Proven expertise as both a strategic thinker and a manager with an ability to synchronize the two.
• Proven experience scaling a product from start-up through growth with P&L responsibility.
• Experience hiring, managing,rrrr and developing a team of dedicated individuals, setting a culture of collaboration in a fast-paced and innovative environment.
• High comfort level serving as a key “face” of the organization to a wide constituency, internal and external, including HBS faculty, senior staff, and alumni as well as clients. Must be able to effectively represent HBS Foundry in discussions with academics, senior business leaders, and thought leaders in the digital space.
• Previous experience working across a complex organization, both in a B2B and B2C environment. Demonstrated ability to identify, source, and direct outside business partners and service providers.
• Knowledge of optimal marketing channel effectiveness and the cultural nuances of B2B conversion behavior in different regions of the US and world.
• Responsible for budget and resource management, including the platform, space, and related investments. Must have an understanding of transactional based or e-commerce based web platforms.
• Adept at managing change and building relationships with people from diverse areas of the School. Ability to influence and inspire those outside of their direct purview.
• Familiar with HBS/Harvard either through credentials or work experience. Understands the complexity of higher education issues, the environment, and decision-making process. Must believe in the mission and academic philosophy of HBS.
• A results-oriented team player with the ability to work collaboratively with others. A good listener with high energy and drive.

Additional Information

This position is approved for a 6 months term (with possibility of renewal/extension) which begins on the person's first day of employment.

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our Boston, MA-based campus 3 days per week. Specific days and schedules will be determined between you and your manager.

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 (www.hbs.edu) is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. The School offers two full-time MBA and PhD programs, more than 175 Executive Education programs, and certificates and courses through Harvard Business School Online. For more than a century, Harvard Business School faculty have drawn on their research, connection to practice, global expertise, and 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 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

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Boston

Job Code

361059 Administrative Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

HBS Initiatives

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, 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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