Chief Research Enablement Officer

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 the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

The Chief Research Enablement Officer (CREO) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the full research enterprise at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). 

Reporting to the Executive Dean, the CREO oversees the core services and functions that support research enablement for HKS faculty, students, and fellows. These core functions include research administration (sponsored awards and compliance), research computing and data services, and library collections, services and programs. Reporting to the CREO are the Executive Director of Research Administration, the Director of Research Computing and Data Services, the Director of HKS Library Services, the Manager of Community Engagement & Special Projects, and the Senior Administrative Coordinator. The position is responsible for aligning these units into a cohesive ecosystem that supports the entire research lifecycle, from discovery and data acquisition to analysis, dissemination, and long-term stewardship. This role, along with its direct reports, supports the teaching, learning, and research mission of the School through collaboration with key areas of the Academic Deans’ Office (ADO). 

The CREO and their direct reports provide strategic leadership for HKS’ research enterprise and help shape School and University policies and services for research enablement, including library collections, digital scholarship, open science initiatives, data governance, secure computing environments, externally sponsored funding, and research compliance. Together, they ensure that HKS maintains a robust research infrastructure, strong internal controls, and a culture of accountability that supports, rather than impedes, research innovation.

As a senior leader, the CREO partners closely with faculty, center directors, and University-wide offices to identify emerging research needs, scale infrastructure, and position the School competitively for large, complex, and interdisciplinary funding opportunities. The role also represents the School in external forums related to research policy, compliance, and infrastructure, particularly in areas such as data security, privacy, and the responsible use of AI in research. The CREO also supports their direct reports in partnering with faculty, research teams, center directors, core departments, and with related University units (i.e., Harvard Library, Office of the Vice Provost for Research, Harvard University Information Technology, Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of the General Counsel).