Product Manager Contract

Harvard University Information Technology

67144BR

Position Description
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration.  We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment.

This Product Manager role is part of the Academic Technology area of HUIT that directly serves the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). 

We are seeking an innovative and dynamic Product Manager to join our collaborative and high- team, focusing on delivering cutting-edge services in generative AI and other emerging technologies for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) community. In this pivotal role, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape the future of how faculty, students, and staff engage with new technologies, driving the roadmap for transformative functionality and services that empower academic and research excellence. You’ll play a key role in the development of user-friendly features, create strategic roadmaps, and deliver services that anticipate and address the evolving needs of our diverse university community. 

If you’re passionate about creating impactful solutions in an academic environment, and you thrive in a team that values creativity and collaboration, this role is for you! 

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Create and manage a roadmap for academic technology projects and services, focusing on AI and emerging technologies. 
• Collaborate with FAS and HUIT to determine, document, and prioritize user needs.
• Facilitate decision-making process, manage conflicts and resolve issues, ensuring major decisions are aligned with FAS goals. 
• Identify and eliminate operational roadblocks so the team can successfully collaborate to create and support services for FAS. 
• Serves as product owner to internal agile team, supporting them in delivering effective, high-quality solutions. 

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Familiarity with Python 
• Experience
  • working in an Agile environment, preferably with Scrum or Kanban
  • with projects and services focused on teaching and learning
• Strong
  • communication skills in writing, verbally, and visually. 
  • organizational skills with the ability to handle detail and to see the big picture at the same time 
• User-focused, collaborative, innovative, and open 
• Familiarity with ServiceNow, JIRA, Confluence, and/or other tools, a plus 
• Understanding of WCAG standards for web accessibility

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy Project Management Foundations course (or external equivalent) preferred
• Certified Product Owner, a plus 

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening. 
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship. 
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period. 

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Accessibility:
Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Work Format Details
HUIT actively supports hybrid work where business needs allow. This position has been designated as a Hybrid position (3 days per week), and the hire must live in a commutable state (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont). 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). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

More about HUIT:
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University.  Our mission is to assure Harvard’s leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology.  HUIT’s core values are User Focused, Collaborative, Innovative and Open.

HUIT’s core values are: 

• User-focused 
• Collaborative 
• Innovative 
• Open 

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/

Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function
Information Technology

Department Office Location
USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code
I0058P IT Project Manager IV

Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit
————

Salary Grade
058

Department
Academic Technology

Union
00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status
Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening
Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.