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Harvard Kennedy School · 23 hours ago

Senior Director, City Talent and Student Engagement, Bloomberg Center for Cities

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

8+ years exp

Harvard Kennedy School is dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment. The Bloomberg Center for Cities seeks a Senior Director to connect city government needs with emerging talent, facilitating opportunities for Harvard students to engage with city government and pursue careers in public service.

Education

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

Responsibilities

Set and drive the Center’s strategy for connecting students to cities and careers in city government

Serve as a thought partner to Center and Initiative leadership on issues related to talent, fellowships, and the future of the local government workforce

This work is ultimately accountable for increasing the number of Harvard students who go on to serve in city government

Work directly with mayors, city managers, and senior city leaders to understand priorities, and ensure high-quality scoping of meaningful projects and roles that align with city needs and are appropriate for students and fellows

Build long-term, trust-based relationships that position the Center as a reliable partner to cities

Shape and maintain strong working relationships across Harvard schools, centers, and administrative units to expand student access to city-focused opportunities

Build sustained student engagement across Harvard through events, co-curricular programming, student groups, study groups, and other community-building strategies, drawing students into exposure to city government, hands-on work with cities, and careers in city government

Partner with faculty to advance student involvement in field courses, thesis projects, and research that support city hall priorities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship and the Center’s summer fellowship programs

Set high standards for recruitment, project scoping, fellow experience, and city satisfaction

Ensure programs are well-run, well-supported, and continually improved based on feedback and outcomes

Lead a team (currently 4 staff reports) responsible for a portfolio of student-facing opportunities, including fellowships, internships, research assistant recruitments, field-based learning, student engagement events, alumni connections, and other co-curriculars that connect students to public service in cities

Develop and steward systems and partnerships with collaborators across Harvard schools and externally to enhance the Center’s student-facing efforts

Foster a culture of high standards, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Qualification

City government experienceLeadership experienceTeam managementPublic service knowledgeStrategic thinkingEntrepreneurial orientationCommunication skillsMentorshipCollaboration

Required

Bachelor's degree and 8 years of progressively responsible experience in program leadership, student engagement, public service, or related fields

Strong leadership experience and people management skills, with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams and delivering outcomes

Demonstrated success building and leading initiatives that involve applied experience, mentorship, professional development, and/or career growth

Comfort operating in complex and/or matrixed environments and working across institutional boundaries

Ability to move between strategic thinking and hands-on execution

Knowledge of the ecosystem of public service, city governance, and urban innovation; strong grasp of the challenges and opportunities cities face

Ability to work with senior city executives to scope and shape meaningful projects and roles, translating needs into well-defined, achievable opportunities

Entrepreneurial orientation, with experience building and sustaining work in fast-paced, evolving settings

Skilled communicator with experience presenting to diverse audiences, such as city officials, university officials, faculty, students, and donors

Energized by working with students and early-career professionals

Preferred

Experience working in or closely with city government strongly preferred

Master's degree preferred

Benefits

Generous paid time off including parental leave

Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one

Retirement plans with university contributions

Wellbeing and mental health resources

Support for families and caregivers

Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Company

Harvard Kennedy School

Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school. It is a sub-organization of Harvard University.

Founded in 1936

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

201-500 employees