Career Center
Natick, Massachusetts
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Las Vegas, Nevada, Nevada
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Los Angeles, California
Portland, Oregon
Posted: 21-Apr-23
Location: USA - MA - Cambridge
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 62261BR
Job Summary
The Economic Development Program Manager reports to the Taubman Center's Executive Director and is a key member of the Center's core team providing strategic and programmatic direction for economic development programs and convenings for the primary constituencies of students, alumni and state and local government policy makers and practitioners.
The mission of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School is to improve the governance of states, counties, and cities through research, teaching, events, and directly supporting current and future public servants. The Center supports research and programs on a wide range of topics, including economic development, urban mobility and transportation, public infrastructure, and government innovation and performance management.
Through a variety of activities, the Center serves three important audiences: urban and regional scholars, state and local government policy makers and practitioners, and students and alumni. Key programs, initiatives, and topics include: Government Performance Lab; Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston; Energy Transition Project (which is joint with the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy); Program on Education Policy and Governance; Economic Development Initiative; Transition Term; Autonomous Vehicles Policy Initiative; Student Urban & Rural Leadership Trek.
The Taubman Center is a vibrant and values-driven community. We are committed to diversity and welcome people of varied backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and disciplines. We actively seek applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, military veterans, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented backgrounds.
Position Description
The Economic Development Program Manager responsibilities include:
Programmatic Strategy and Implementation
- Develop and implement existing and new economic development offerings, including, but not limited to, the State and Local Economic Development course, Economic Development Seminar Series, programming for the Energy Transition Project, economic development fellowships for students and practitioners, and economic development events.
- Proactively develop and manage program strategic/work plans; oversee the fellowship and research assistant overall experience (i.e. recruiting, selection, onboarding, and offboarding); select and facilitate visits by guest speakers; develop program and presentation materials; and manage the economic development research assistants.
- Responsible for managing the Taubman Center's economic development programming budget. This includes ensuring that the budget aligns with the strategic goals of the overall economic development initiative; selection of vendors as needed; and the management of the day-to-day fiscal and operational activities of the economic development initiative budget.
- Collaborate with Taubman Center staff, fellows, and affiliated faculty to develop and implement a community of practice for leading economic development practitioners committed to advancing the field and more equitable and inclusive outcomes. Engage Spring 2023 practitioners to inform the initial design and ongoing activities of the community of practice; develop convening agendas and content; facilitate discussions with practitioners including capturing and disseminating key learnings from and between convenings; and identify and implement opportunities to connect practitioners and students for shared benefit. This includes collaborating with the faculty leading the Energy Transition Project to develop connections with practitioners and community organizations in regions that are likely to be disrupted by the shift away from fossil fuels.
- Proactively identify and disseminate stories and substance developed via Taubman Center economic development programs with the Taubman Center Director of Communications.
Student & Alumni Engagement
- Serve as a strategic thought partner and implement the best ways to enhance the overall student's experience with the Taubman Center economic development activities.
- Lead cross-collaboration efforts with the Center's Program & Events Coordinator, student Professional Interest Councils (PICs), and other diverse student groups to shape and implement economic development programming, events, and other student-facing activities, including the annual Rural Economic Development Trek and local economic development-related field trips.
- Create and implement research and employment match-making opportunities between students and state & local governments related to economic development.
- Develop and implement opportunities to engage and leverage relationships with/among alumni of Taubman Center economic development programs.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree and 5 years minimum professional work experience, including prior program management and economic development experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Exceptional strategic organizational and project management capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively prioritize time and tasks.
- High level of maturity and empathy with outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills. Experience serving on or managing a community of practice preferred.
- Ability to lead multiple projects and serve multiple constituencies simultaneously, and to successfully adapt to changing needs and priorities.
- Creative thinking and problem solving, with interest and ability to improve programs and processes.
- Team player with the proven ability to build strong relationships and develop trust with diverse colleagues and stakeholders.
- Strong writing, proof-reading, and verbal communication skills.
- Technology proficient, including with MS Office and collaboration tools such as Google Docs and Dropbox. Experience with Salesforce preferred.
- Available to staff events and programs throughout the year.
- Passion for supporting students and helping to develop the next generation of economic development leaders.
- Commitment to helping state and local governments solve economic development challenges, including delivering more equitable and inclusive outcomes.
Additional Information
This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending three years from date of hire with strong possibility of renewal.
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Salary Range: $70,800 - $122,800
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
Salary Grade: 057
Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard Kennedy School's Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism
At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.
Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School's commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.
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.
