Director, Custom and Partner Programs

Company Description

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 Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

About the Office for External Education: 

The Office for External Education (OEE) is a highly entrepreneurial department within Harvard Medical School (HMS) delivering a diverse portfolio of innovative medical education opportunities globally, through live, online and blended programming, as well as digital and print resources. Our educational offerings are created in collaboration with members of the School's almost 13,000 faculty and reflect firsthand, expert clinical insights based on breakthrough research and best practices. OEE serves a breadth of learners around the world, including current and aspiring health care professionals; leaders at all levels within companies that serve the healthcare industry; and individuals seeking to live healthier lives.

Job Description

The Director of Custom and Partner Programs leads the strategy, development, and growth of OEE's custom client and partner program portfolio, aligning HMS expertise with evolving client, learner, and market needs. As a key decisionmaker for the unit, the Director leads a team and balances mission, academic quality, market opportunity, and financial goals to deliver innovative, high-impact programs.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Program Strategy and Development 

• Develop and execute long-term business and growth strategies, in collaboration with OEE senior leadership. Identifies opportunities for program expansion, portfolio diversification, client retention, and new revenue, aligned with evolving market, client, learner and health care industry needs while advancing revenue and contribution margin goals.
• Direct portfolio design, pedagogy, delivery strategy, evaluation, and lifecycle management for custom and third-party partner programs.
• Partner with Business Development, faculty, and Program Delivery to translate client needs into high-quality learning experiences with defined outcomes.
• Lead ongoing program refinement and post-program follow-up, using learner feedback, outcomes, and market insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic consultation on integrating digital products, including HMX and HealthXcelerate, into programming to advance client and learner success.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the team, setting performance expectations, coaching staff, and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Anticipate emerging trends and risks, exercise independent judgment in resolving complex, high-impact issues, and represent the unit in university-wide external leadership forums.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and sustain executive-level relationships with key clients, external partners, and senior faculty, serving as strategic lead and primary liaison throughout the custom program lifecycle to support client retention, expansion, and OEE revenue goals.
• Represent HMS in client consultations, proposal development, and negotiations in partnership with Business Development.
• Oversee faculty contracts, compensation and identify opportunities to streamline contracting processes.

Academic and General Administration 

• Ensure academic integrity, excellence, and consistency across all learning formats, and adherence to internal policies, processes, contractual obligations, and Harvard standards.
• Oversee program planning, faculty engagement, curriculum, pedagogy, scheduling, and delivery in collaboration with faculty, academic leadership, and internal teams.
• Partner with Program Delivery to ensure clear communication, high-quality execution, and alignment of resources, staff coverage and workflows.
• Monitor program outcomes and learner feedback to assess impact and success; lead After Action Reviews and apply insights to future offerings.

Financial Management

• Accountable for multi-million-dollar budgetary, revenue, and contribution margin targets.
• Lead financial planning, including large-scale budget development, pipeline management, margin optimization, and resource planning, and monitor program financial performance against targets.
• Contribute to pricing strategy and financial modeling for programs.

Marketing and Growth

• Maintain a growth-focused program pipeline in collaboration with Business Development and identify opportunities to retain, expand, and diversify the portfolio.
• Collaborate with Marketing and AES on marketing, outreach, and positioning, with attention to third-party partnerships, ensuring messaging and branding are consistent with HMS standards.
• Proactively identify opportunities to adapt programs in response to market and geopolitical shifts while protecting revenues, program quality, and learner journeys.

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time.
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant work experience.
• Supervisory experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in executive/professional education or related fields.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities Innovative and solution-oriented, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Exceptional professionalism and diplomacy, with a client-centric mindset and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated success managing complex educational programs/projects involving multiple stakeholders, client relationships, financial operations, timelines, and deliverables.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building abilities; thrives in collaborative, cross-functional team environments.
• Highly organized with advanced time management skills and outstanding attention to detail.
• Comfortable in client-facing roles and experienced in engaging with senior executives and high-level stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience in budgeting, pricing, and/or financial reporting.
• Familiarity with instructional design principles and online learning platforms is strongly preferred.
• Adaptable and open to change, with the ability to lead others through change and collaborate effectively with both internal teams and external partners.
• Anticipates the needs of clients, programs, and team members, proactively identifying opportunities and challenges.
• Brings a consultative approach to client interactions, ensuring tailored solutions and long-term partnership value.
• Skilled at orchestrating resources and aligning cross-functional efforts to meet program goals.
• Excellent relationship builder with a track record of cultivating trust and collaboration across diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Salesforce, learning management systems, or project management tools is a plus.
• Ability to travel internationally and work evenings/weekends as required.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education.
• Interview Format: The interview process will include both virtual and in-person components (e.g., initial virtual screening followed by on-campus final interviews).
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

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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 059. 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.