Position Description

The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) seeks a technical and operational professional to serve as Technical System Lead, Slate CRM. Reporting to the Student Enrollment Systems Project Director, the Technical System Lead, Slate CRM is responsible for maximizing our current admissions system, Technolutions Slate, as a fully functional CRM, integrating data from other enrollment-based systems (PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, PowerFAIDS, etc.). As Technical System Lead, Slate CRM, you will work collaboratively with Enrollment Services colleagues to manage all stages of the enrollment funnel for HKS's professional graduate degree programs through improved processes and workflow management, data tracking and reporting, event management, enrollment marketing, prospect and applicant communications, and more.

The Technical System Lead, Slate CRM is a service-oriented and expected to incorporate the principles of Inclusive Excellence and Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging best practices to ensure a service approach that reflects cultural competency. The Enrollment Services team within HKS's Degree Programs & Student Affairs department. You will also be part of a larger community of dedicated IT professionals across HKS and Harvard University. As such, you will have access to IT-related professional learning resources such as those offered through Harvard's IT Academy.

As Technical System Lead, Slate CRM, your core duties will include:

• Ensuring complete accuracy of all admissions decisions and admissions data. Importing prospect and applicant data from a variety of ad hoc sources. Building and maintaining a library of queries and reports within Slate for users and providing data analysis. Working on special projects directly related to enrollment data that have strategic use. Managing the interaction of database products from different vendors, ensuring accurate data feeds between systems, and resolving conflicts.
• Working at a high level within a team on most phases of service analysis and considering the business implications of technology applications to the current and future business environment for admissions.
• Collaborating with stakeholders, including the Senior Director of Admissions & Financial Aid and the Associate Director of Enrollment Marketing, to translate business needs into systems requirements and scoping.
• Providing impactful contribution to the definition of systems requirements, conducting gap analysis, and identifying feasible alternative solutions that meet defined business objectives.
• Performing user needs analysis, product evaluation, selection, customization, testing, implementation, and support.
• Participating in the development of data and reporting plans and policies for Enrollment Services.
• Abiding by and following the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies, and Code of Conduct.

• Customizing Slate to meet changing needs of Enrollment Services, including the design and execution of application flow from submissions through decision release, the design and maintenance of custom online portals for prospects and applicants, and mass communications for recruitment and contact with prospects and applicants.
• Acting in support of the efforts to ensure data quality and integrity for prospective students, applicants, and admitted students.
• Evaluating purpose and content of Slate reports to develop new, or improve existing format, to meet stakeholder needs.
• Providing new user Slate access and system training.
• Working with Technolutions vendor and online payment support to provide technical troubleshooting support for Admissions & Financial Aid team.
• Serving as a member of the HKS IT Affinity Group.
• Other ad hoc duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

If you have some, but not all of the following, we encourage you to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn:

• Bachelor's degree preferred, along with relevant work experience in an academic setting with knowledge of admissions and/or financial aid operations.
• Experience using Technolutions Slate and PeopleSoft products strongly preferred.
• Five (5) or more years' relevant work experience including analyzing and managing data.
• Knowledge of information technology applications, processes, software and equipment.
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor.
• Ability to uphold FERPA and other data privacy regulations and standards.

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.

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.

Salary Range: $74,200 - $126,200
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.

Benefits

• 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.

Work Format

About Harvard University Kennedy School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

Connections working at Harvard University Kennedy School