Description:

07-Feb-2024

Director Office for the Arts at Harvard

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

65012BR

Job Summary

The mission of the Office for the Arts (OFA) at Harvard is to support student engagement in the arts and integrate the arts into University life. By supporting the development of students as artists and cultural stewards, the OFA works to enrich society and shape communities in which the arts are a vital part of life.

The Director of the OFA leads this key function within the College. Specifically, the Director works with a team of professional artists and arts adminitrators to create the conditions for facilitating student engagement in the extracurricular arts. Approximately 3,000 undergraduates participate in the arts across all disciplines and for a wide range of reasons. Some are exceptionally gifted and aspire to professional careers. Others are putting their toes in the water for the first time. Still others utilize artmaking to explore issues of justice, identity, immigration, or other topics. For others, arts participation is a source of wellness and community.

The Director of the OFA is the senior administrator for the department and is charged with developing and maintaining a broad and comprehensive network of collaborators and partners. A partial list of OFA collaborators includes student arts organizations; faculty from across the College and—in some cases—the University; student-facing units in the College (e.g., Dean of Students Office, BGLTQ Office, Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, Harvard Women's Center, etc.); Harvard affiliated cultural institutions such as the American Repertory Theatre, Harvard Art Museums, and the Harvard Art Museums; the Harvard Alumni Association; and a wide range of professional artists and independent cultural organizations across the United States.

The Director also maintains relationships with senior University officials and their teams. Among these are the Offices of the President and Provost, the Board of Governers, and the Office of the University Marshal. The OFA is frequently called upon to curate performances and/or produce major events for these offices, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Among these are Harvard Commencement, the Dean’s Distinction Award, ceremonical occasions such as the opening of new buildings, the 375th anniversary of Harvard University, etc. Because the OFA team has a deep production team and close knowledge of student talent, its service in this area is valued.

The incumbent is responsible for all the department’s programs and services and, with a senior team of three direct reports, manages a staff of approximately forty administrators and program directors, forty-five part-time professional instructors. The Director co-manages three FAS faculty with the Chair of the Music Department and co-chairs a Faculty Advisory Committee on the Arts.

The OFA recently completed an eighteen month strategic planning process commissioned by the Dean of Harvard College. This study generated a vision for the next ten years along with a set of high-level strategic goals. The Director will lead the OFA team and work with a broad array of University and external partners to realize this vision and implement its recommendations.

While the OFA’s principal constituency is Harvard students and the Harvard College community, many of its programs are open to the public and serve as a vibrant bridge between the greater Cambridge/Boston community and the University.

Position Description

• Implements the ambitious strategic agenda of the OFA. This includes 1) enriching learning in extracurricular arts by connecting arts practice to faculty, cutting-edge research centers, and Boston-area community organizations; 2) creating easier access to the Harvard arts scene for students, and strengthening career pathway program in the arts; 3) elevating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as core values across all arts disciplines; 4) addressing four distinct areas of need (in the visual arts, creative writing, wellness, and house arts); and 5) solving fundamental resources issues that impede learning and participation.
• Supervises and supports the senior administrative and faculty leaders of the OFA and works in collaboration with them and their teams to meet the goals and oversee the functions of the OFA.
• Supports OFA teaching artists and student organizations by attending their events and fostering generative relationships. In general, creates a culture of creative exploration, excellence, inclusiveness, and innovation.
• Serves as the public representative of the OFA to the College, FAS, University, local community, alumni, and donors. This entails supporting programming that engages the arts and leveraging these networks to bring resources to the Office and its initiatives. The Director and the OFA also support the College and its mission.
• Develops sustainable resources in support of the OFA’s functions and initiatives through fundraising, and through advocating for budgetary, space, technology, and human resources.
• Serves Harvard College as a member of the Dean’s leadership team, and takes on special projects as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree
• Very senior level (10+ years) leadership and management experience in the arts and education

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Post-graduate degree (MFA, MPA preferred)
• Deep knowledge of one or more artistic disciplines, and broad knowledge across the arts in general
• Experience as a practicing artist
• Understanding of best practices in arts education and creative development of emerging as well as accomplished student artists
• Imagination.
• Strong strategic, organizational, developmental, financial and people skills.
• Skilled at and comfortable with leading and managing in a highly decentralized environment.
• Senior level arts management experience (preferably in a residential, liberal arts higher education setting) with a solid understanding of trends and issues in the field.
• Demonstrated commitment to the most current and relevant principles and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion in staffing, programming, and deploying resources
• Experience and success with all aspects of fundraising for programs in a non-profit setting

Physical Requirements

• Moving across campus for events or meetings, indoors and outdoors

Additional Information

Harvard College is a close-knit undergraduate community within Harvard University. With world-class faculty, groundbreaking research opportunities, and a commitment to a diverse environment of bright, talented students, Harvard is more than just a place to get an education—it's where students come to be transformed.

The College enrolls over 7000 students and oversees their academic, residential, and co-curricular experiences. The College is comprised of six major administrative units including the Office of the Dean, the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Services, the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship, and the Office for the Arts.

Established by the Office of the President and reporting to the Dean of Harvard College, the Office for the Arts is uniquely charged with serving all students across all academic disciplines and levels of artistic ability. 2024 marks its 50th year and the launch of an exciting strategic plan.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. 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.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

General Administration

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

361061 Administrative Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

College

Salary Grade

061

Department

Harvard College Dean's Office

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Credit, Criminal, 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.