Academic Affairs Manager

14-Sep-2022

Harvard Medical School

59934BR

Job Summary

About Us:
The Wyss Institute’s mission is to transform healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. We harness the freedom of academia and the focus of industry in order to translate revolutionary technologies into commercial products and solutions. At the Wyss Institute, faculty from premier academic and clinical institutions, collaborate with staff scientists, postdocs, graduate students, industry experts, business development leaders, and entrepreneurs across disciplines to invent and de-risk new technologies that don’t just succeed at making it to the market – they disrupt it. We support research that universities, companies, and venture capital firms don’t fund because they view it as too risky. We prefer to use the word “challenging,” and we love challenges. For more information, visit: http://wyss.harvard.edu/

About You: 
You are a creative problem solver and want to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that promotes student and faculty engagement in a culture of learning and research. You have demonstrated expertise working in academic affairs and are highly adaptable. You are self-motivated and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You are excited by working with diverse groups of people that create innovations that can change the world.

About the Role:
We are looking for a talented Manager of Academic Affairs (MAA) to manage all academic appointments and serve as the lead on all visa and immigration-related processes for the Institute. Reporting to the Senior Administrative Officer with a dotted to the Human Resources Director, you will develop innovative solutions to the unique academic appointment and visa-related needs of the Institute. You will collaborate closely with Senior Leadership, Faculty and HR to create a cohesive strategy for academic hires in line with the University guidelines and tailored to meet the evolving needs of the Institute.

Position Description

What you’ll do: 

• Academic Affairs Oversight:  Manage all academic appointments, including recruiting and onboarding new hires, processing payroll changes, advising and managing promotions, and tracking appointment terms and policies/procedures specific to the Wyss; Interact with collaborating institutions, other school academic leads and functional areas within the Wyss to problem solve issues related to appointments, visas, and other academic concerns. Supervise and mentor the  Academic Affairs Administrator.
• Visa and Immigration Lead: Provide expert immigration advice to internal constituencies on increasingly complex rules and procedures related to all Wyss staff; Liaise with the Harvard International Office and immigration lawyers.
• Workforce Administration and Process Improvement: Maintain Sharepoint People database for Wyss Staff, collaborate with Sharepoint Developer and other stakeholders to identify improvements and run ad-hoc reports as needed; Interface with Senior Compliance Officer and OVPR on compliance issues related to new hires, visas, etc.; Process temporary and less than half time appointments; Serve as backup for some HR transactions.
• Academic and Staff Related Projects: Manages other special projects as assigned; Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

Basic Qualifications

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative management experience preferably in a Harvard academic setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Desirable Skills:

• Must be both detail-oriented and able to think ‘big picture,’ with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a complex and dynamic/evolving environment.
• Flexibility and a mindset of getting things done are very important.
• The ability to function in an entrepreneurial setting is essential.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the capacity to relate effectively with all levels of the University as well as with external organizations.
• Fluency with common business applications such as MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Excellent writing and editing skills.
• The successful candidate must have the ability to exercise good judgment on a range of issues, some confidential in nature, and to manage complex projects through to completion.
• Track record of success in managing issues related to international scholars, visas and appointments is preferred.

Working Conditions

This position will be based on our campus in Boston, MA and may require some on-campus presence. Subject to business needs, the Wyss Institute generally supports flexible work arrangements.

Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/. 

Additional Information

Harvard is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Why you’ll like working with us:
At the Wyss Institute, you’re a member of a supportive, dynamic community that is united by its shared goal of changing the world through groundbreaking technology development and commercialization. We encourage your professional growth and development through mentorship and tuition reimbursement to support continued learning, and more. We also support your physical, financial, and mental well-being through generous time off benefits, gym reimbursements, and other programs offered through Harvard. Our community will be relocating to a new, state-of-the-art life science building in the lively Fenway neighborhood in spring 2023, where you will have access to multiple amenities including a roof terrace with stunning views of Boston and proximity to numerous restaurants and cultural attractions. We value an inclusive and diverse workforce and believe that our differences enrich the work environment for all.

Our outstanding benefits package includes:

• Time Off: 3 – 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans, all coverage begins as of your start date.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan 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 tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.
• Facilities access and Discounts: Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.

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Job Function

General Administration

Location

USA – MA – Boston

Job Code

359057 Admin Dept/Program Admin

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Education, Identity

Schedule

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

As a collaborative organization, we at the Wyss Institute know that great innovation happens when diverse perspectives come together to solve problems. As a result, we are committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness both in and out of the lab. When recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you will bring in terms of education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. We believe these differences in background, experience, and perspective enrich our work environment and are essential to our mission of solving complex problems through technology development and translation.

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.