Director of Strategic Operations, GPL

Director Of Strategic Operations

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The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School's mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Director of Strategic Operations will work closely with the GPL's Executive Director in a Chief of Staff-type role to translate the GPL's strategic vision throughout the organization's operations designing and implementing systems to improve GPL core functions in order to drive greater organizational impact. To this end, the Director of Strategic Operations will work closely with the Senior Director of Operations in leading a team overseeing the strategic direction of critical central functions including human capital, training, and staff and manager supports. This includes directly managing the Senior Operations Coordinator. The Director of Strategic Operations will also work closely with the GPL's senior Policy Leads for each program area at the GPL to support translation from strategy to action.

Job-Specific Responsibilities :

• Develop and implement strategy : Work with the GPL Executive Director and leadership team to refine GPL's strategy by leading special projects that may include : assessing and advancing the GPL's impact in the field, improving the GPL's strategic knowledge management and impact framework, and supporting development. Support the Executive Director in integrating strategic direction across GPL policy areas and strategic capabilities.
• Strategic knowledge management : Work closely with GPL Policy Leads and staff to translate strategic decisions into action, providing resources and support, and facilitating efficient engagement with the GPL Executive Director. Lead improvements to the GPL's knowledge management for key policy areas and tools, including processes to generate, organize, and document insights from project work across the GPL, facilitate cross-project and cross-jurisdiction learning, update GPL tools to reflect new insights, create and deliver trainings that move GPL staff to the cutting edge of knowledge in that area.
• Development : Identify, conceptualize, and lead special projects that support the GPL's leadership team in developing and pitching effective funding proposals that express the GPL's strategic vision and direction.
• Analytics to inform performance improvement efforts : Update and manage internal and external performance and impact measurement processes, including surveys and measures of staff engagement and performance and creation and testing of an impact framework and survey with GPL governments.

Oversee strategic operations : Connect GPL strategy to the direction and execution of central functions, including hiring, events (such as all-staff convenings), training, and overall staff experience. Continually review current practices for needed improvements to increase GPL's impact. Design and lead special projects that increase the efficiency, efficacy, and equity of the GPL's practices in the following areas :

Staff, alumni, and government engagement : Support, create, and manage processes for improving GPL's impact through staff, alumni, and government engagement. Foster the GPL's alumni network to increase the impact of GPL staff after they leave the organization and to increase opportunities for current staff to learn more about careers in public service. Regularly maintain and update core organizational resources to ensure staff have access to current policies and procedures. Coordinate with staff affinity groups and external contractor.

Team culture : Contribute to an inclusive and supportive team culture, within which team members feel supported, included, and valued.

The mission of the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab is to accelerate progress on difficult social problems by improving how state and local governments across the country function. Our team collaborates closely with government innovators in developing and testing ways to create more just and effective service systems in areas including child and family wellbeing, safety and justice, and homelessness and housing. To date, the GPL has engaged with 112 jurisdictions across 38 states and has conducted more than 278 projects shifting more than $7B in government spending toward results.

Basic Qualifications :

Additional Qualifications and Skills :

Many kinds of experiences could prepare an individual to thrive in this role. We expect the strongest candidates will have many, but likely not all, of the qualifications listed below :

Appointment End Date : This is a fully benefits eligible term appointment, ending one year from date of hire with the possibility of renewal.

Visa Sponsorship Information : Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening : Identity, Education

Other Information :

Work Format Details :

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. 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