Senior Program Manager at Harvard University — Boston, MA

Job Summary:

The National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University is a leading and internationally recognized program on crisis leadership. Established shortly after 9/11 at the request of the federal government, the program conducts research on crisis leadership, provides continuing education seminars devoted to crisis leadership, and advises leaders in times of crisis. NPLI faculty published one of the field's primary texts, “You’re It: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most.” Given the tension between the federal administration and the university, the NPLI has shifted its focus from engagement with federal government agencies toward work with corporate, humanitarian, state, and local governments.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Senior Program Manager for NPLI serves as a senior client-facing program and operations lead responsible for managing NPLI’s residential and custom program engagements from inquiry through delivery and follow-up. Working closely with the Founding Director, faculty, external clients, and Harvard administrative partners, this role helps translate client needs into clearly scoped program objectives, project plans, deliverables, timelines, and administrative requirements.

This position is central to the successful operation, growth, and sustainability of NPLI. The Senior Program Manager serves as a primary liaison for external clients and partners, supports proposal development and contracting, manages project logistics and milestones, and ensures that faculty have the information, structure, and support needed to focus on curriculum design and delivery. The role requires strong judgment, discretion, client service orientation, project management expertise, and the ability to work independently across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

The Senior Program Manager will also contribute to the continued development of NPLI’s systems, policies, procedures, outreach, and client engagement practices.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Client Engagement, Program Development, and Relationship Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for custom program inquiries, helping to vet opportunities, clarify client needs, and determine alignment with NPLI’s programs and capabilities
• Lead initial client intake and discovery conversations, gathering information about goals, audience, timeline, desired outcomes, budget considerations, and program requirements
• Partner with the Founding Director and faculty to translate client needs into program objectives, proposed structures, learning goals, agendas, and deliverables
• Support the development of proposals, scopes of work, project plans, and related materials for custom and residential programs
• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with external clients and partners, ensuring clear communication, responsiveness, and alignment throughout the engagement
• Prepare regular client updates, including progress against milestones, next steps, key issues, and proposed resolutions
• Support outreach, relationship-building, and marketing-related activities that strengthen visibility of NPLI programs and contribute to future program opportunities

Program and Project Management

• Manage the full administrative lifecycle of NPLI custom and residential programs, from inquiry and planning through delivery, closeout, and follow-up
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, deliverables, agendas, briefing materials, and implementation schedules
• Coordinate with faculty, clients, and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on program content, logistics, milestones, and expectations
• Organize and prepare training materials, briefing documents, reports, correspondence, and other materials needed for successful program delivery
• Track project deliverables and timelines, proactively identifying risks, barriers, or competing priorities and recommending solutions
• Follow up with faculty, clients, and internal partners on major action items to ensure progress and accountability
• Ensure that custom programs and projects remain on track, within scope, and within budget

Business Operations, Contracting, and Administration

• Work with the Founding Director and appropriate Harvard partners on proposals, contracts, budgets, and other administrative requirements related to client engagements
• Coordinate with Harvard administrative offices, including legal, finance, facilities, and other relevant departments, to support timely and compliant project execution
• Prepare, maintain, and review documents, reports, agreements, and project materials to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with University requirements
• Serve as a principal source of information on established projects, advising internal contacts and keeping stakeholders informed of relevant updates
• Gather and summarize background information, industry context, research, or other materials needed to support program planning and client engagement
• Organize and implement administrative systems, procedures, templates, and tracking tools that support efficient program operations
• Provide regular updates to the NPLI Director, lead faculty, and other stakeholders regarding project status, client needs, administrative matters, risks, and deliverables

Internal Coordination and Program Support

• Serve as a key liaison between NPLI, external clients, faculty, Harvard administrative offices, and related programs or initiatives
• Coordinate the day-to-day flow of communications with individuals inside and outside NPLI who are involved in program planning and delivery
• Participate with the Founding Director and faculty in planning, strategizing, and developing NPLI programs, new initiatives, and projects, including activities that support program growth and sustainability
• Assist with planning for conferences, seminars, workshops, briefings, and residential programs, including facilities coordination and related logistical needs
• Contribute to the development and refinement of NPLI policies, procedures, workflows, and client service practices
• May serve as liaison with related programs, universities, government agencies, or external organizations, keeping leadership informed of relevant developments

Please note: This position has a term appointment of 6 months from date of hire, with the possibility of extension.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a primarily remote position, however, scheduling flexibility may be required to come into the office for various meetings and events.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience is required.
• 5+ years of relevant experience is required

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree preferred
• Strong client relationship management skills
• Excellent project management judgment
• Experience operating comfortably in a fast-paced, high-visibility academic program environment
• Strengths in moving fluidly between external client conversations, internal Harvard administrative processes, faculty coordination, and detailed program execution
• Success in this role will require professionalism, discretion, responsiveness, and the ability to anticipate needs before they become barriers to successful program delivery
• Appointment End Date: 6 months from date of hire
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90 day orientation and review period.

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Work Format Details

Salary Grade and Ranges

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