Director of the Institute of Politics

Reporting to the Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, the Director is charged with setting the IOP’s overarching strategy and establishing and executing on its priorities. The Director should have a demonstrated record as an inspirational leader and an exceptional manager, and will lead a team of roughly 20 staff, including an Executive Director. He or she should conceptualize and execute innovative and policy-relevant programs that serve to encourage and educate the next generation of public leaders and that build on the IOP’s reputation as a national platform for discourse spanning the political spectrum. The Director should have a compelling vision for how to encourage engagement in politics and public service and to foster meaningful conversations across difference at a highly polarized time.

The Director will collaborate closely with the IOP’s Senior Advisory Committee (SAC), and will advise the Dean on the SAC’s membership. The Director will also oversee the IOP’s Student Advisory Committee, which comprises undergraduate Harvard students who are especially committed to the IOP’s mission. 
  
The Director will also work collaboratively with a wide range of other constituent groups internal and external to HKS and Harvard. In particular, the Director works closely with Harvard undergraduates who are interested in politics and public service, and should have a demonstrated commitment to mentorship and desire to work with students. Frequently representing the IOP, HKS, and Harvard in public settings and with national and international leaders, the Director should likewise have a demonstrated track record of integrity, accountability, and ethical behavior. He or she should have the ability to serve as a model of principled leadership for students and the broader Harvard community, and the courage to stand up for institutional values including academic freedom and open inquiry. 
  
Additionally, the Director must be a dynamic leader who cares about engaging respectfully across political and ideological difference, and who is committed to thoughtfully elevating a range of voices and perspectives within the U.S. and international political contexts. Finally, the Director must be innovative and ambitious: successful candidates will bring both a vision to strengthen the IOP’s existing initiatives and new ideas that expand the IOP’s reach and impact. 

Important Application Information

Application Deadline: March 13, 2026.

Note: Applicants wishing to be considered are requested to provide a resume/CV and cover letter. Ideal candidates will include in their cover letter preliminary thoughts on how the IOP might strengthen its existing initiatives and suggest new ideas to expand the IOP’s reach and impact.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree; 10 years’ experience or more at senior levels of electoral politics or other government positions at the federal, state, local, or tribal levels, or equivalent public service experience, including in the non-profit sector, the military, and/or in journalism. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

As noted in the Job Summary, interpersonal skills needed to represent the IOP publicly, to work successfully in an academic environment (particularly with academic leaders and graduate and undergraduate students), and to interact with a variety of prominent people active in public affairs; demonstrated success in managing teams, budgets, and organizations; excellent written and verbal communication skills; a demonstrated ability to think strategically, innovatively, and critically; and a demonstrated willingness to engage across various forms of difference.

Additional Information

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 062. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.