Research Assistant

03-May-2022

Harvard Business School

55738BR

Job Summary

Are you a voracious reader? Do you process the world through writing? Are you someone that is intrigued by big ideas, but is also detail oriented? Do you want to play a role on a small, high-energy team? The California Research Center is looking for a part-time Research Assistant. Join us in our work to support the School’s mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.

Established in 1997, the California Research Center (CRC) is one of a network of Harvard Business School’s research outposts across the globe. These 15 research offices, along with a team in Boston, comprise the Global Initiative, and their purpose is to promote global engagement and encourage an international outlook in research, study, and practice. These research teams serve as the School’s local ‘’eyes and ears’’ in their respective geographies.

The CRC’s primary mission is to facilitate faculty research and case study writing on West Coast companies, with an emphasis on California and the Bay Area. Since its opening, the CRC has helped develop more than 350 cases, which are used in all academic units within the School's MBA and Executive Education programs. Recent cases examine Zoom’s strategy during the pandemic, assess the San Francisco Ballet’s efforts to grow their audience, explore Heineken’s acquisition of Lagunitas Brewing Company, and evaluate of the transformation of Microsoft’s corporate culture.

As part of its faculty support, the CRC also creates tailored immersion experiences for professors, connecting faculty ideas to business in action. Apart from research, the CRC also assists in the development of high impact programs for area alumni, students, and applicants in partnership with other areas of the school including the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship, Admissions, Career & Professional Development, and Alumni Relations. The Research Assistant will report to the CRC’s Executive Director based in Burlingame, CA and will work under direction from the CRC’s Assistant Director and Senior Researchers, as well as the Assistant Director of the Israel Research Office.

Position Description

Research and marketing:

• Assist research team by gathering and synthesizing data from a variety of sources
• Prepare background briefs summarizing information about a company or industry
• Transcribe case interview recordings
• Research industry and HBS contacts
• Assist research team in case processing including citations, style guidelines, proofreading, exhibit production, and permissions for exhibits
• Arranging faculty visits to companies relevant to research

• Assist with preparation of Advisory Board meeting materials
• Help track Office metrics through reporting and database entry
• Help develop marketing materials
• Research and book meeting/function venues, and handle other meeting logistics
• Organize and trouble shoot office operations (ordering supplies, maintaining office equipment)
• Other administrative tasks as they arise

Basic Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required
• 2+ years of related experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

This position requires an energetic and highly responsive individual. The applicant should have a demonstrated interest in business and technology. The successful candidate will have excellent writing skills, as well as organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with a focus on customer service. The individual must be both resourceful and collaborative. Candidates must display professionalism, confidence, and poise in working with diverse constituents. Must have commitment to quality, excellence, and be detail-oriented. Experience working on a small, entrepreneurial team a plus. Candidates must provide 2 writing samples.

Our expectations are that employees of HBS adhere to and represent our Community Values: • Respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others • Honesty and integrity in dealing with all members of the community • Accountability for personal behavior

Additional Information

This role is offered as a hybrid (some combination of onsite and remote) where you are required to be onsite at our California Research Center (CRC) office based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California (Burlingame) several times per month. Eligibility to work the remote component of this job is dependent on you residing within reasonable traveling distance of the Center. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.  

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 .

Location

USA - CA - San Francisco

Job Code

RS0055 Researcher I Humanities

Department

HBS Initiatives

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, 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.