Design Operations Director
Posted 13 Oct 2026
Advertised as “Associate Director of Design, Operations”
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Level
- 058
- Expected experience
- 5+ yrs
- Management level
- People management
- Employment
- Hybrid
- Contract
- Full-time
- Visa sponsorship
- Not offered
No salary listed for this role.
CertificationsBachelor’s Degree
Field of studyArchitecture, Planning (or related)
Study levelMaster's
Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join Harvard Business School?
Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.
Job Description
Job Summary:
Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Planning and Design, this role provides senior-level design management for HBS capital and Improvements & Alterations (I&A) projects, from study through schematic design (SD) and design development (DD) phases, and leads the stand-up and ongoing governance of a Building Information Management (BIM) program for HBS facilities and space data. Planning and design strategy remains the responsibility of the Senior Director; this role executes against that strategy at the project level – translating direction into concept plans, design standards compliance, and consultant/vendor management. The BIM program is oriented toward facilities and space management – extending and enriching the existing CAFM system – rather than construction-phase modeling, which remains the responsibility of Capital Programs. This role is expected to build deep institutional and technical knowledge over its first year; in that period, decisions on BIM standards and program direction are made in close partnership with the Senior Director.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
General:
- Executes project-level design management in support of planning and design strategy set by the Senior Director.
- Negotiates and prepares standard Harvard University agreements for design and planning consulting.
- Works with an Operations-wide team on development and updating of campus-wide space, interior, and architectural standards.
- Supervises vendors, outsourced technical consultants, and student interns as assigned.