Project Lead

28-Feb-2022

University Administration

56357BR

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Summary
The Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) is looking for a creative and energetic Project Lead to develop educational media and curricular materials for online courses created collaboratively with Harvard faculty. The ideal candidate will have a passion for education and a background in a STEM field and producing interactive multimedia education projects.

The Project Lead is a member of the VPAL Instructional Development (ID) team, reporting to one of the ID Managers. The Project Lead contributes to the concept, design, and development of high-quality, high-impact online learning experiences, typically overseeing 2-3 course development projects at a time. This involves working with faculty to conceptualize courses and develop curricular materials and assembling and leading course teams that include content developers and writers. Internally, the Project Lead collaborates closely with VPAL’s media production and technology teams to create each course.

The successful Project Lead understands creative/media approaches to learning and has the focus to work effectively within a fast-paced environment, the diplomacy necessary to manage and work within matrixed teams, and excellent project management skills. The Project Lead approaches problem-solving collaboratively and can provide constructive options and consider technical solutions while working within operating constraints.

Core Duties

• Leads the development of high-quality courses and other learning experiences in alignment with VPAL pedagogical, production, technical, research, project management, and administrative practices.
• Works independently and collaboratively with members of the instructional development, media production, and technology teams on course development and other VPAL projects.
• Communicates regularly and effectively with assigned project faculty, team members, and stakeholders.
• Works productively and flexibly with faculty throughout the course development process.
• Ensures the timely development and implementation of curriculum and project plans, negotiating an appropriate balance among existing practices, available resources, and opportunities for innovation.
• Supervises contingent staff hires for specific assigned projects.
• Maintains project documentation in an effective and timely fashion.
• Participates in and contributes to internal team meetings and projects as well as activities focused on reflective practice, integration of research, and pedagogical innovation.
• Represents VPAL across Harvard and in other professional communities of practice, as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:

• Bachelor’s Degree plus two years of work experience including development of course or curricular materials in a STEM field.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.
• Professional experience and demonstrated ability in at least three of four domains: Project Management, Course Design, LMS Technology, and Media Production.
• Proven successful work experience in educational media, educational publishing, academic technology, or teaching and learning support.
• Strong understanding of effective approaches to online teaching and learning.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and manage temporary project staff and students from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines, and levels of expertise.
• Experience using learning technology tools and project management applications.
• Aptitude for learning and applying new technologies quickly and effectively.
• Ability to work consistently and constructively in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.
• Teaching experience.
• Ability to implement basic coding in HTML, XML, and javascript.
• Experience working with copyright and intellectual property issues.
• Familiarity with and understanding data science is a plus.

Working Conditions

Work is mainly performed in an open office setting.

Additional Information

About the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL)
The mission of the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) is to create and catalyze engaging and scalable learning experiences that make a difference at Harvard and beyond.

VPAL partners with schools and faculty to amplify Harvard’s impact worldwide. We deliver online courses on multiple platforms in the spirit of satisfying the widest possible range of student needs and interests. Our courses support both lifelong and professional learning, which compliments many other One Harvard initiatives related to online teaching and learning.

Additional Information
IMPORTANT NOTE: A cover letter is requested for this role. Your cover letter and resume should be submitted as a combined SINGLE DOCUMENT under the resume tab. Cover letters are requested for this role.
VPAL is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

PLEASE NOTE: During the current period of Covid-19 related restrictions, this position may start as a remote position, with the expectation that it will transition to onsite in Cambridge when the office reopens. Effective October 1st, as a condition of continued employment, all work must be performed in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT).

We continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 and the lifting of restrictions. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process.

Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement and exceptions may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/. 

Harvard University offers an outstanding benefits package including:

• A creative, high-energy, collaborative environment
• Generous Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits starting on your first day
• University-funded retirement plans
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Transportation benefits to help with your daily commute
• Health and wellness discounts, memberships, and programs

Additional benefits can be found at

https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards

Job Function

Information Technology

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

383657 IT Project Plan/Management

Sub-Unit

Interfaculty Initiatives

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

Full time. Monday through 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.