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Posted: 09-Nov-24
Location: USA - MA - Cambridge
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: 67354BR
Job Summary
The Institutional Data Initiative (IDI) is a new research center working to advance society?s relationship with knowledge by expanding access to, and deepening our understanding of, the data that underpins AI. By collaborating with library, government, and academic institutions to publish their knowledge collections as AI training sets, IDI seeks to 1) empower those institutions and the cultures they represent, 2) build a foundational pipeline for academic inquiry of AI, and 3) advance the state of the art for all builders of AI systems.
IDI?s work spans the AI data ecosystem?from digitization, data structuring, and metadata synthesis, to safety and security analysis, all the way through to benchmarking and the development of ethical and governance frameworks. Institutional collaboration forms the gateway to this work and IDI places a particular emphasis on opportunities with institutions that expand the cultural breadth of knowledge represented in the building blocks of AI.
At its core, IDI is a data practice around which other interdisciplinary work is convened. While theory and analysis are critical components of IDI?s work, our impact is a direct factor of our ability to ship novel data. As such, IDI?s workflows resemble those of a product studio. Our projects are time-bound and scopes are driven by ambition within time constraints. Our team structure is relatively flat and each member is expected to bring vision for their work and drive it through to completion. We prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration with academic contributors, both internal and external, as essential work that prevents the commodification of the data we help to publish.
The Program Director will support the Executive Director and oversee the day-to-day strategy and operations of the initiative. The Program Director's goal will be to facilitate high-throughput research workflows by implementing and overseeing minimal organizational structures. The person in this position will navigate a variety of complex institutional structures and relationships, both at Harvard and at collaborating institutions, in order to ensure the initiative can work efficiently and effectively. The Program Director will be tasked with managing items both big and small?from developing new opportunities to acting as an extension and amplifier of the Executive Director?s capacity.
The Program Director must have a strong interest in IDI?s mission and while tech experience is a plus, an ability to triage tasks and ensure their completion, develop relationships that clear the way for execution, and bring strong but flexible vision is more important than a deep knowledge of AI technologies.
In addition to IDI?s internal stakeholders, the person in this role will help build a community around IDI?s work to enable outside collaborators?fellow technologists, academics, students, cultural stakeholders?to expand our capabilities, capacity, and perspectives. IDI operates within Harvard and alongside the Library Innovation Lab, the Berkman Klein Center, and the Applied Social Media Lab; engaging these communities, among others, is critical to delivering on our mission.
Position Description
As a Program Director, you will:
- Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement the initiative?s strategic vision and priorities and to communicate direction to staff.
- Assist with selection and development of new projects, activities, and initiatives.
- Assist with hiring and managing teams across the initiative.
- Design and manage operational processes for the initiative ? including staff management and meetings, information flow, reporting, and resource planning.
- Participate in financial management, budget planning, and fundraising, including development activities and helping to generate proposals for future programs.
- Build, promote, and strengthen internal and external collaboration across staff and senior-level stakeholders.
- Contribute to decision-making across initiative?s leadership including between the Faculty Director and Executive Director.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor?s degree and at least eight years of relevant work experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
- A desire to create public-interest impact on AI and an interest in learning about the underlying technologies.
- Proven success managing complex and strategic efforts across organizations.
- Experience supporting and amplifying an executive partner.
- Experience managing internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience managing product teams, ideally technical.
- Ability to leverage networks in public interest technology.
Working Conditions
Travel is required for quarterly on-site meetings. Occasional travel for conferences and events as needed.
Additional Information
This is a two-year term appointment with potential for renewal subject to funding and departmental need.
Given the multidisciplinary nature of our work, we encourage a short cover letter to explain how your career trajectory and interests align with our work and mission.
We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
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.
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)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.