Senior Academic Technology Lead

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 the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences?

At the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), we work within and beyond the disciplines of engineering and foundational science to address the most pressing issues of our time. Through teaching and collaborative research, SEAS discovers, designs, and creates novel technologies and approaches to societal challenges – in service to the world, the nation, and our community. We collaborate across academic areas at SEAS and the larger university, and with colleagues in academia, industry, government and public service organizations beyond Harvard. By joining SEAS, you will be part of an inclusive community of dedicated problem-solvers who hold themselves – and one another – to the highest academic and professional standards. To learn more about us, please visit https://seas.harvard.edu/ .

Job Description

Job Summary:

This role advances technology-enabled teaching and learning within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. As a key member of SEAS Computing, this role independently leads the planning, coordination, and support of compute resources and related academic technologies for engineering courses in both degree and professional education programs.

The position works closely with the School’s Active Learning Labs (ALL) and Computing in Engineering Education (CEE) group, Harvard University IT (HUIT), faculty and teaching teams, and vendor service providers to identify appropriate academic technology and adjacent resource options to meet instructional needs, and connect teaching teams with the right tools, platforms, and contacts.

Rather than directly administering central academic technology services (e.g., Canvas, Qualtrics, polling tools, etc.), this role focuses on understanding engineering course requirements, mapping them to available university and external IT resources, and facilitating effective connections and implementations.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

- Serve as the primary point of contact within Computing for instructional computing and academic technology strategy, advising Computing leadership on needs, opportunities, and risks.
- Partner with faculty, program staff, CEE colleagues, and HUIT to identify instructional compute needs (e.g., specialized software, Linux servers and Windows VDI environments, compute and GPU resources) for engineering courses and programs.
- Maintain awareness of relevant AI and emerging technologies advancements and tools to inform course/assignment design, instructional practices, and integration of technologies into teaching and learning.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to faculty and teaching teams on effective, responsible, and resource-efficient integration of AI, LLMs, APIs, and related technologies into course instruction.
- Evaluate resources (e.g., institutional platforms, cloud offerings, vendor tools) against course and program requirements and determine and communicate options, providing clear guidance and recommendations to teaching teams.
- Connect faculty and instructional staff with the appropriate university IT teams for support with centrally provided academic technologies (e.g., LMS, Qualtrics, polling tools), ensuring smooth handoffs and coordinated solutions.
- Lead the evaluation of vendor software, tools, and platforms in support of computational needs in teaching/learning at SEAS and make recommendations on renewal of annual subscriptions and/or propose adoption of new solutions.
- Develop and maintain documentation, as needed, to help faculty, teaching teams, and staff understand available computing options and how to access support.
- Provide backup coverage for colleagues supporting research computing and data services and help connect faculty to central research computing resources as appropriate.
- Participate in school- or university-level working groups related to academic technology, computing, and teaching and learning innovation.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an office setting.

Physical Requirements:

There are no significant physical demands for this position.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

- Minimum of seven years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience.
- Experience supporting academic technologies or compute resources in a higher education, research, or similarly complex technical environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage projects, and collaborate effectively across IT, academic units, and external partners.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

- Advanced degree in engineering, computer science, information technology, instructional design, or a related field a plus. Experience with the instructional use of compute resources (e.g., HPC/GPU environments, Linux clusters, cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, GCP, or virtual lab environments).
- Experience consulting with faculty, instructors, researchers, or other technical users to identify computing requirements and recommend appropriate technologies and resources.
- Experience supporting or facilitating access to computing environments and specialized software, such as Linux systems, Windows virtual desktop environments, cloud computing, or GPU resources.
- Familiarity with LMS platforms and common academic tools, and how they intersect with discipline-specific software and computing environments (even if not directly administered in this role).
- Experience working with faculty on technology integration in course design, or project-based/active learning in engineering.
- Experience identifying and evaluating vendor software solutions that support teaching and learning.
- Knowledge of instructional design principles and security, privacy, and accessibility requirements for instructional technology and data.
- Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through, with a focus on reliability and quality of service.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to translate instructional and research needs into clear technical requirements and to communicate constraints, tradeoffs, and options back to stakeholders.
- Proven ability to set and manage expectations with faculty, staff, and partners, including communicating timelines, limitations, and risks in a transparent and constructive manner.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective, collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, IT colleagues, and external partners.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, with a track record of managing multiple projects and priorities.

Additional Information

- Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 standard hours per week.
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education
- Other Information: Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

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.