Executive Director, Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative

ABOUT THE BLOOMBERG CENTER FOR CITIES

The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The Center's cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use.

ABOUT THE BLOOMBERG HARVARD CITY LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is a collaboration between Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Bloomberg Philanthropies to equip mayors and senior city officials to tackle complex challenges in their cities and improve the quality of life of their residents. Launched in 2017, the Initiative has worked with 613 mayors and 4,000+ senior city officials in 594 cities worldwide.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University seeks an exceptional Executive Director to lead the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Reporting to the Center's Executive Director and working closely with the Center's Faculty Director, this role will guide the team responsible for delivering executive education, applied learning, alumni programming, curriculum development, and in-city engagement.

JOB-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic leadership:
- Help develop and execute a strategy that integrates executive education delivery, applied learning, responsive curriculum design, and alumni support
- Ensure all offerings build to a seamless, high-impact learning experience for mayors, senior leaders, and alumni cities
- Translate strategic priorities into Initiative-level goals, plans, and milestones
- Work closely with Initiative faculty co-chairs to support high-quality program design, teaching, and participant experience

Lead and coordinate a high-performing senior team:
- Oversee the Senior Directors of Program Delivery, City Support, and Curriculum Development, who together manage approximately 20 professional staff
- Foster alignment, shared purpose, and strong collaboration across interdependent teams

Ensure operational excellence:
- Oversee systems, processes, and operational infrastructure supporting seamless delivery of 12 annual executive programs, 4 alumni programs, 3 applied learning tracks, and select in-city engagements
- Ensure strong program management and seamless participant experience across in-person, online, and in-city components

Oversee curriculum and learning tools:
- Support development and dissemination of research-informed curriculum and teaching materials including cases, guides, toolkits, simulations, and digital resources

Steward critical relationships:
- Build strong relationships with Harvard faculty, city leaders, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and partner organizations
- Collaborate closely with Bloomberg Philanthropies to support shared goals and steward donor relationships

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This role is based on campus in Cambridge, MA and is a full-time position. Some travel to programs expected. Reports to the Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Cities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience.

Additional Qualifications:
- Experience working in or closely with city government strongly preferred
- Proven success leading large and multifaceted programs or organizations, ideally within or connected to the public sector
- Strategic thinker with ability to articulate a clear vision and deliver consistently
- Strong understanding of public leadership, city governance, and how city governments work
- Adept at building relationships with faculty, public officials, donors, and institutional partners
- Highly organized, detail oriented, and composed under pressure

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

- This is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment through June 30, 2027, with strong possibility of renewal
- Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Salary Grade: 060 ($121,200 - $215,600)
- School/Unit: Harvard Kennedy School
- Department: Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University