Job Summary:
The Managing Director will serve as the administrative head of the institute, responsible for stewarding the HBS AI Institute as an integrated platform across Harvard Business School. This role represents the next phase of the Institute’s evolution, transitioning from launch and early growth to long-term institutional integration, operational excellence, and sustained global impact.
The Managing Director will work closely with the institute’s faculty leadership and senior HBS administration to ensure the Institute continues to scale effectively across research programs, educational initiatives, and corporate partnerships. This individual will serve as a unifying leader who oversees a leadership team responsible for the Institute’s major functional areas, ensuring alignment, integration, and operational excellence across the Institute’s portfolio.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
The Managing Director will serve as the primary integrative leader of the HBS AI Institute, responsible for managing and aligning a diverse portfolio of initiatives spanning research, learning, partnerships, technical capabilities, and operations.
The Managing Director will partner closely with faculty leadership to guide and execute the Institute’s long-term strategy. This includes ensuring that research initiatives are aligned with emerging priorities, supporting faculty collaboration across disciplines, and facilitating the translation of research into educational offerings and practical applications. The role requires balancing academic priorities with operational execution, ensuring that the Institute remains both intellectually rigorous and operationally effective.
The Managing Director will also be responsible for managing the operational infrastructure of the Institute, including staffing, budgeting, planning, and performance management. This individual will ensure that the Institute’s organizational model supports continued growth and that processes are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with the School’s broader priorities. The role requires a strong systems perspective and the ability to coordinate complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
A critical component of the role will be to ensure continued integration of the Institute across Harvard Business School. The Managing Director will work closely with faculty units, administrative teams, and School leadership to ensure that the Institute is embedded across HBS and serves as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation. This will include identifying opportunities for cross-unit collaboration, supporting faculty engagement, and ensuring alignment with broader School priorities.
The Managing Director will also oversee the Institute’s external engagement strategy, working with the leadership team to develop and manage partnerships with companies, policymakers, and global organizations. These partnerships will support research, learning, and real-world experimentation, helping to ensure that the Institute’s work remains relevant and impactful.
The role also includes oversight of shared capabilities that support Institute activities, including technical and data science resources, convenings and events, communications, and operational support. The Managing Director will ensure that these capabilities are coordinated effectively and aligned with Institute and HBS priorities. HBS staff are expected to build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents. This role is responsible for additional duties as assigned.