Program Director, Technology

The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy is a research center at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. The Center analyzes the power and impact of media, in all its forms, on public policy and politics.
 
The Center runs research projects on a variety of topics including news equity, news quality, business models for news, misinformation, a project focusing on increasing diversity in journalism, and Journalist’s Resource, a website to help journalists discover and use peer-reviewed research in their reporting.
 
The Program Director of Technology will serve the rapidly growing Center by shepherding a variety of technology projects from design and inception to completion.  This position will report to the Director of the Shorenstein Center and will supervise 4-6 staff members as well as technology vendors. Using an active and practical approach, the Program Director will work with Center staff to attain the Center’s strategic goals. Two programs have immediate needs for software development to meet their goals.
 
Please note that this is a two year term appointment from the date of hire. This position may be renewed based on funding and performance.
 
The Program Director will:

• Establish the Center’s technical vision, in concert with the Director, and lead all aspects of the Center’s technological development

• Work directly with research project managers to help ideate, develop, execute, and use appropriate technology products

• Manage the development of software projects for the Misinformation Project’s disinformation lab, including relationships with outside vendors

• Manage the development of software projects for the single-subject news project, including a product development road map

• Provide strategic direction, development and foster the Center’s growth as a technology leader in the academic/research space

• Translates business questions into analytic queries of content available within the technical infrastructure (inclusive of operational applications and analytic databases). Works in collaboration with key business stakeholders to identify needs, bearing responsibility for project initiation, plan development, securing necessary resources, and managing project activities. Develops the means to monitor and report on key service level metrics to ensure acceptable service levels are achieved and maintained;

• Build and manage a team of full-time employees, part-time consultants, and technology vendors

• Support the Kennedy School’s culture, mission, and values

• Act as a good steward of Center resources and ensure control of technology budgets

• Represents the Shorenstein Center on Senior-level decision making with HKS IT (IT Advisory Group) and other University-wide and HKS affinity groups.

• Handle sensitive situations and confidential information with discretion and problem-solving efficiency.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technology or related field Experience managing technology

• 8  years relevant work experience managing complex technology projects.

• Must have supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area such as computer science, data science, or journalism preferred.

• A background in computer science, familiarity with media and journalism is highly desirable.

• Conversant in academic research in technology and media.

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as major social media platforms and management tools.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Well organized, able to prioritize, have strong attention to detail and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrated leadership skills, ability to work with minimal supervision, excellent judgment.

• Some travel is required.