Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard’s world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

About DCE 

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) comprises four academic units serving about 30,000 domestic and international students annually, which allow Harvard to meet the learning needs of intellectually curious and highly motivated students from high school through retirement. Established in 1910, the Harvard Extension School (HES) offers access to Harvard faculty for a diverse community of adult learners, enrolling about 15,000 students. HES offers over 1,000 open enrollment courses — 85 percent of which are accessible online — and provides flexibility through noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate courses, including degrees, certificates, and a premedical program. The Harvard Summer School, founded in 1871, offers around 450 credit and noncredit courses both on the Harvard Campus and online, catering to 10,000 high school, college, and adult learners. Additionally, it offers more than 15 international study abroad programs, hosting up to 300 students each summer. Harvard DCE Professional & Executive Development delivers over 140 noncredit programs annually, reaching more than 3,600 participants through online platforms and its executive development center in Cambridge. The Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement offers about 140 peer-taught courses to approximately 550 active members. 

About the DCE Teaching & Learning Team  

At the forefront of Harvard’s online learning initiatives, the DCE Teaching & Learning Team supports an expansive array of courses and programs, serving thousands of learners worldwide. The team is committed to leveraging innovative technology and evidence-based pedagogical practices to drive academic excellence, expand access, and foster lifelong learning.  

Job Description

Job Summary: 

Provides visionary leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of instructional technology, course design, media production, and faculty development. Shapes and implements pedagogy strategies that support online, on-campus and hybrid courses. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities: 

The Executive Director of Teaching and Learning advances the mission of the Division of Continuing Education (DCE) by providing visionary leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of instructional technology, course design, media production, and faculty development. The Executive Director shapes and implements teaching and learning strategies that support over 1500 courses annually, comprised of a mix of online, on-campus, and hybrid modalities, across Harvard Extension School, Harvard Summer School, and Harvard Professional and Executive Development. This role leads multi-disciplinary teams, collaborates with partners across and beyond Harvard, and drives innovation to ensure an exceptional and evolving educational experience.  

This person should have extensive expertise in applying research-based approaches to course development and innovation in teaching methods, emphasizing active and inclusive learning environments, diverse assessment techniques, and effective integration of educational technologies for a wide range of audiences including adult education and a track record of successful leadership of diverse teams. 

Key responsibilities are: 

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Provide strategic leadership in setting and advancing the vision for DCE’s teaching and learning initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
• Continuously research, analyze, and report on emerging trends and innovative practices in online education.
• Lead the selection, implementation, and deployment of innovative technologies supporting course delivery and pedagogical excellence.
• Represent DCE Teaching & Learning in university-wide groups and external organizations focused on pedagogy. 

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, supervise, and develop high-performing teams specializing in instructional technology, course/curriculum design, media production, and faculty development.
• Collaborate with academic units to identify and execute strategies to enhance programmatic outcomes. 
• Foster a collaborative culture and promote professional growth within the Teaching and Learning team.

Operational Execution

• Partner closely with DCE’s Technology and Innovation team and Software Development teams to maintain strategic alignment and maximize the impact of technological enhancements.
• Interface with Academic Technology support and classroom video production to ensure excellence in course delivery.

Program and Portfolio Management

• Develop and implement initiatives to ensure faculty are effectively trained, supported, and integrated into teaching and learning innovations.
• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, leveraging data and stakeholder input to guide continuous improvement.

Research & Assessment

• Gather, synthesize, and apply data from diverse sources to inform decision-making.¿ 
• Conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of courses, instructional technologies, and teaching methodologies.

Working Conditions: 

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Hybrid workplace models in place at DCE with a minimum of 2 days per week on campus. DCE or department may adjust these as necessary or appropriate.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills: 

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree strongly preferred. 
• Extensive experience in teaching and learning, instructional design, online education, or related fields. 
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience. 
• Demonstrated record of strategic leadership in a complex academic environment. 
• Superb written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to convey complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing change in dynamic environments.
• Advanced expertise with online learning technologies and platforms.
• Experience working in continuing education settings.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 9-5pm)
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $150K-$175K
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: 
  • A cover letter is required for consideration.
  • All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. 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. 

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit  Harvard’s Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• 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 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.