Job Summary

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines?architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate?as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications. The immense variety of people, programs, and ideas at the School sustains a vibrant and rich environment for learning, inquiry, and collaboration, unlike any other design school.

The Director for the Remodeling Futures Program of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies reports directly to the Managing Director and is responsible for leading the Center?s research on investments in and adaptation of the existing residential housing stock, while also contributing to the Center?s related research on housing market conditions, demographic trends, consumer finance, and economic conditions.

The upkeep and improvement of the US housing stock is of significant interest as an important sector of the economy and a critical factor in determining overall housing quality and affordability. Investment in the existing housing stock is also of significant policy interest given the need for adaptation of the housing stock to meet changing societal needs, such as those related to climate change and energy use, aging populations, unhealthy housing, and innovative technology for home automation. Investments in residential buildings also have important spillover effects on surrounding neighborhoods and so influences neighborhood outcomes as well. Indeed, owners of residential properties spend more than $400 billion a year on renovations and repairs, exceeding annual spending for new residential construction in the U.S.

The Director has responsibility for overseeing the Center?s research in these broad areas, coordinating this work with other researchers. The Director also is responsible for managing the Remodeling Futures Program, which since 1995 has been an initiative within Harvard?s Joint Center for Housing Studies that designs and conducts a comprehensive research agenda on the factors influencing the growth and changing characteristics of housing renovation and repair activity and the residential remodeling industry in the U.S. The program has been funded and advised by a Steering Committee comprised of leading companies, associations, and government agencies involved in the remodeling housing sector, including firms engaged in home renovation construction and design, building materials manufacturing and distribution, housing finance and mortgage banking. At biannual conferences, committee members review research results and discuss emerging market trends and future program activities. The Director is responsible for managing recruitment of members of this group and planning programming for these biannual meetings. The program also issues a biennial Improving America?s Housing report, a quarterly Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), and other publications.

NOTE: This is a non-faculty, administrative/professional position.

Position Description

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads in planning, designing, executing and managing the Center?s short- and longer-term research agenda on adaptation and investment in existing residential buildings.
• Manages the relationship with the Remodeling Futures Steering Committee, including planning biannual meeting agendas and managing membership in the group.
• Responsible for fundraising from foundations and other public and private sources to support program initiatives.
• Administers the program budgeting and oversees staffing and hiring for the program.
• Writes reports, working papers, journal articles and blogs independently and in collaboration with senior and junior research staff.
• Manages the program?s research team in carrying out the remodeling research agenda.
• Designs and delivers research presentations at Remodeling Futures Conferences, and to outside experts, government officials, and sponsors.
• Participates in the Center?s research and administrative planning meetings to coordinate with other research streams at the Center and to provide input into overall Center management and direction.
• Where appropriate, collaborate on research projects within the Center that bridge remodeling and other domains.
• Collaborates with the Center?s events planning staff to host public events on the Harvard campus on issues related to home maintenance and improvement.
• May serve as a lecturer at the Graduate School of Design to teach courses on topics relevant to maintenance and improvement of the existing residential built environment.
• Represents the Center nationally through active membership in academic and professional associations, participation in conferences, seminars, and symposia.
• Serves as spokesperson for the Remodeling Futures program with journalists, industry groups, associations, and government agencies requesting information.
• As a member of the Center?s leadership team, the project director is expected to contribute positively to the Center?s efforts to be an inclusive and equitable environment.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD or Master?s degree in urban planning, public policy, architecture, engineering or related field required, with at least 10 years of relevant research experience.
• Must have very strong skills and a proven track record in research design, analysis, writing, and presentation.
• Must have previous experience in managing a research team, including overseeing the establishment of a research agenda, fundraising, staffing, and project administration.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Strongly prefer previous experience as a public representative for a similar research initiative, including public speaking and engagement with the media.

Physical Requirements

• Applicants must be able to perform typical office tasks, including sitting for extended periods and using standard office equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Working Conditions

The Center is a hybrid work environment with some staff working in the office at least part of each work week while other staff are primarily remote. The Director may opt for either work arrangement in consultation with the Managing Director.

Applications are accepted and encouraged from candidates not based in the Boston-Cambridge area. Harvard registered payroll states currently include Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California.

Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. Candidates must have employment authorization to work in the US, and we regret that we cannot sponsor a VISA.

Additional Information

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.

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.

For more information about Harvard GSD see: https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/

SALARY INFORMATION:

Salary will be commensurate with experience

Salary ranges within each pay grade are based on qualifications, skills, experience, equity in comparison to similar positions, and external market values. Salary ranges allow for differences among positions within the same grade as well as increasing levels of responsibility and performance within the same job.

For more information regarding salary ranges at Harvard, please see: https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/benefits-wellbeing) 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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, 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 this excellence 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.

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