Senior Director, International Office

Campus Services departments provide essential services to the Harvard community under market-based, competitive cost structures, with 1600+ employees (70% of staff represented by eight unions) and an annual budget of approximately $450 million. The Harvard International Office (HIO) supports the University’s international students, scholars, and employees, and the departments and schools that host them, by providing immigration advising, regulatory compliance, and programming that advances Harvard’s global mission.

The Senior Director of the Harvard International Office provides overall strategic, operational, and financial leadership for the HIO. This position is responsible for setting the vision for the HIO; ensuring institutional and federal regulatory compliance; developing and managing a robust and resilient service portfolio for international students, scholars, and staff; and building strong partnerships with University leaders, schools, departments, and external stakeholders. The Senior Director leads and develops a diverse, high-performing team; oversees all HIO operations; and represents Harvard in high-level discussions with government agencies, peer institutions, and external counsel on matters affecting the University’s international community.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic leadership and overall management of the Harvard International Office, including visioning, planning, implementation, and assessment of services for international students, scholars, and staff across the University.

• Leads assessment and continual improvement of HIO policies, programs, and service delivery, ensuring a high-quality, service-oriented portfolio that meets the evolving needs of the Harvard international community.

• Develops and executes a comprehensive strategic plan for the HIO, aligned with Campus Services and University priorities, including long-range planning for staffing, space, technology, and service models.

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the HIO to meet established goals and objectives, including supervision of senior HIO leadership including Director, Responsible Officer and Director Principal Designated Officer, professional advisors, and administrative staff; establishes clear performance expectations and supports professional development.

• Works closely with Campus Services centralized support functions (Finance, Budgeting, Applied Technologies, Communications, Human Resources, etc.) to assess and meet all operational needs of the HIO.

• Partners with the Campus Services budget office to develop and manage a sustainable funding model and annual operating budget that support the growth of the Harvard international community and increasing compliance demands.

• Ensures institutional compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations related to immigration, employment authorization, and international student and scholar services; establishes appropriate internal controls, policies, and procedures.

• Works proactively with external legal counsel to ensure compliance with complex and evolving immigration regulations, to mitigate institutional risk, and to support case strategy on particularly complex or high-risk matters affecting students, scholars, and staff.

• Monitors and analyzes changes in U.S. and international immigration and related regulations; leads the development and implementation of institutional responses and policies in collaboration with University leadership, Office of the General Counsel, Human Resources, and other key stakeholders.

• Manages and facilitates cross-University working groups spanning multiple schools, disciplines, and administrative units to coordinate timely responses to international regulatory and policy changes, and to ensure appropriate immigration advising, communication, and support for affected students, scholars, and staff.

• Serves as a primary University resource and senior advisor to deans, department heads, HR leaders, and other administrators on matters related to international students, scholars, and staff, including risk management and policy interpretation.

• Represents Harvard with federal agencies, national associations, and peer institutions in matters related to international education, advocacy, and regulatory issues; leverages these relationships to inform University strategy and practice.

• Develops and maintains a comprehensive succession plan for the HIO organization, including leadership and key advising positions, to sustain the growth and stability of services to the international community.

• Oversees the design and maintenance of a detailed training matrix and professional development program for all HIO staff to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance in advising and administrative practices.

• Champions the effective use of technology and data to support HIO operations, regulatory reporting, analytics, and service enhancements; partners with Campus Services technology teams to evaluate, implement, and optimize systems.

• Promotes a culture of inclusion, respect, and service excellence; ensures that HIO programs are welcoming and accessible to a diverse international population and responsive to feedback from students, scholars, and departments.

• Participates as a member of the Campus Services senior leadership team, contributing to Campus Services strategy, planning, and initiatives, and collaborating on cross‑functional projects that enhance services to the Harvard community.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Working Conditions:

Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel.

Physical Requirements:

• Office environment.

• Must be able to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods.