Associate Director of Faculty Affairs, Data, and Digital Strategy

Job description

Job Summary: The Associate Director of Faculty Affairs, Data, and Digital Strategy is responsible for leading Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s faculty data and digital strategy. The incumbent will oversee core faculty affairs operations while using operational insight to improve processes, strengthen workforce planning and decision-making, and enhance effectiveness and faculty experience through the responsible development and application of automated systems and use of artificial intelligence. They will develop and optimize integrated information systems, in collaboration with IT and consultants, to support decision making, data governance, analytics, and technology-enabled workflows. Essential Responsibilities Faculty Affairs Operations and Lifecycle Management Manages and continuously improve core Faculty Affairs operations across the faculty lifecycle, including recruitment and searches, appointments and reappointments, onboarding and transitions, annual review, promotion, faculty records, compliance tracking, reporting, and related correspondence. Coordinates with departments, faculty, HR, HMS offices, and other partners to move cases and requests forward accurately and on time; maintains tracking, documentation, and process guidance; and resolves operational issues. During implementation of new faculty information and management capabilities, ensures continuity of essential processes while progressively standardizing, digitizing, automating, and redesigning workflows. Faculty Data Strategy and Governance Develops and leads a school-wide strategy for faculty data as an institutional asset. Establishes and aligns data definitions, standards, stewardship practices, quality controls, documentation, access protocols, and governance structures that improve the accuracy, consistency, security, and usability of faculty information across its lifecycle. Ensures HSDM faculty-data practices align with applicable Harvard Medical School and University standards, governance structures, policies, and data processes. Faculty Information and Management Systems Leads implementation, configuration, optimization, and ongoing development of integrated faculty information and management systems. Translates faculty-affairs and institutional requirements into system design, data architecture, workflows, reporting structures, and user experiences. Partners with HSDM IT and other technical teams on systems integration, APIs, automated data exchange, authentication and access requirements, and data flows; coordinates with technology teams, vendors, HMS partners, and departmental users to support adoption, interoperability, data integrity, and continuous improvement. Faculty Workforce Analytics and Decision Support Develops dashboards, metrics, recurring reports, and analytical products that convert faculty data into actionable institutional intelligence. Supports workforce composition and scenario planning, recruitment and retention strategy, appointment and promotion trends, succession planning, compensation analysis, faculty activity and engagement, and other emerging academic workforce priorities. AI Strategy, Automation, and Process Transformation Partners with the Associate Dean to apply an AI-strategy and digital-transformation lens to faculty-related work. Identifies processes that can be eliminated, standardized, automated, augmented through AI, redistributed, or fundamentally redesigned. Develops and evaluates responsible AI-enabled workflows and tools with appropriate governance, privacy, validation, and human oversight. Strategic Partnership and Change Leadership Serves as a technically fluent bridge between Faculty Affairs, institutional data, and IT, and as a strategic and operational partner to the Associate Dean. Collaborates across HSDM departments and administrative functions, HMS offices, and University partners to ensure local operations and solutions align with broader institutional policies, data, technology, security, privacy, and governance processes. Leads cross-functional projects, facilitates requirements gathering and process redesign, communicates data-driven insights to technical and nontechnical audiences, and supports adoption of new systems and ways of working Data Literacy, Reporting, and Institutional Capability Builds institutional capacity to use faculty data effectively by developing documentation, training, self-service resources, reporting standards, and data-literacy practices. Promotes consistent interpretation and responsible use of faculty data in planning and decision-making. Continuous Improvement and Emerging Capabilities Monitors developments in higher-education data strategy, faculty information systems, analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence; recommends and pilots approaches that advance HSDM's faculty strategy and institutional effectiveness while demonstrating measurable value. Contributes to the mission and vision of HSDM and models the School’s core values in all facets of the work. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in a typical office setting with extensive use of computers and digital systems. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, data science, business management, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and required relevant experience. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in data strategy, analytics, information systems, systems integration, faculty affairs, or closely related field. Ability to work onsite and remotely, as business necessity dictates. Ability to successfully pass a comprehensive background check at hire. Additional Qualifications and Skills: Master's degree in information systems, computer science, data science, business management, or related field. Experience in higher education, academic medicine, healthcare, research, or another complex knowledge-based organization. Experience managing complex academic, faculty, human-resources, or other lifecycle-based administrative processes; experience with faculty appointments, promotions, academic personnel, or faculty affairs. Demonstrated ability to translate organizational needs and strategic questions into data, technology, workflow, and analytical solutions. Demonstrated technical proficiency working with data and information systems, including experience with APIs and systems integration, data transformation, relational data or databases, scripting or programming, and automated data workflows. Experience developing dashboards, metrics, analytical reports, and decision-support tools; familiarity with contemporary business-intelligence and data-visualization platforms. Working knowledge of responsible AI, automation, and emerging technologies and their application to organizational workflows and decision support. Strong project and change-management skills, including the ability to lead work across organizational boundaries without direct authority. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, written communication, and presentation skills. Ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders and to translate complex concepts into clear recommendations for senior leaders. Strong judgment and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive faculty, personnel, and institutional information. Demonstrated commitment to service, collaboration, continuous improvement, and building sustainable institutional capability. Certificates and Licenses: Appointment End Date: Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $100,000-$120,000 Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal Work Format Details This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts . Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. Salary Grade and Ranges This position is salary grade level 058. 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. By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Why join the Harvard School of Dental Medicine? Located in Boston's Longwood Medical Area, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) is at the forefront of dental education, research, and patient care. Founded in 1867, HSDM holds the distinction of being the first dental school in the U.S. to be part of a university and its medical school, and the first to confer the DMD degree. Our mission is to foster a community of global leaders in education, research, and clinical innovation dedicated to improving human health by integrating dentistry and medicine. We invite dedicated professionals to join our team and contribute to our rich tradition of excellence and innovation in the dental field.