Associate Director, Alumni Programs, Rock Center for Entrepreneurship

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Job Summary:

The Rock Center for Entrepreneurship champions entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School by leveraging the School’s research, teaching, vibrant ecosystem, and global network to help entrepreneurs, startup joiners, and investors launch, lead, and invest in impactful ventures.

Founded in 2003 with the support of pioneering venture capitalist Arthur Rock (MBA ’51), the Center provides students and alumni with the inspiration, skills, tools, and support needed to build enduring companies.

The Associate Director of Alumni Programs will lead the Rock Center’s alumni and practitioner engagement strategy, with a strong emphasis on founder development, network development, venture connectivity, and ecosystem activation. This role will focus on building a dynamic platform that connects entrepreneurial alumni, students, faculty, and venture leaders to catalyze new ventures and amplify the School’s impact.

With more than 90,000 alumni worldwide and 500+ identified high growth startups, this role is central to expanding and activating the Rock Center’s global entrepreneurial network.

Reporting to the Director of the Rock Center, the Associate Director will focus primarily on Alumni Programs and Network Engagement, creating an integrated approach, working in close collaboration with External Relations, Alumni Relations, faculty leadership, Marketing & Communications, the Harvard i-Lab, and other key stakeholders.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Alumni Strategy and Program Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy in collaboration with the Director of the Rock Center and Alumni Relations, including a focused approach for recent graduates (1–3 years out) pursuing entrepreneurship.
• Partner with Alumni Marketing & Communications and HBS Marketing & Communications to drive outreach and engagement.
• Lead program measurement, evaluation, and CRM strategy to strengthen alumni engagement and knowledge management.
• Collaborate with the HBS Initiatives team to enhance Salesforce capabilities that support network intelligence and ecosystem mapping.

2. Portfolio Management of Alumni and Founder Programs

• Lead the strategy and execution of this global network of alumni founders, builders, and investors.
• Oversee ecosystem analysis, regional roundtables, peer learning opportunities, and the biennial Rock 100 Summit and young-alumni Rock Catalyst Connect (quarterly gatherings). Both programs bring together seed to Series A founders for high-quality programming that provides an opportunity for ecosystem building and support.

3. Network Engagement and Ecosystem Development

• Build and activate a high-impact network of founders, investors, operators, and subject matter experts to support students and alumni.
• Design, manage, and scale network engagement programs that connect students and alumni with experienced founders, operators, and investors. Develop and build structured, scalable models for expert engagement and impact tracking.

• Cultivate relationships with key leaders across the Boston innovation and venture ecosystem, positioning the Rock Center as a central connector.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Rock Center within HBS and the broader entrepreneurial community.

This role requires a deeply connected individual within the Boston startup and venture ecosystem who can translate relationships into meaningful engagement opportunities.

4. Faculty and Venture Connectivity

• Develop and execute a faculty engagement strategy that bridges curricular and co-curricular initiatives while showcasing entrepreneurial research and practice.
• Partner with faculty co-chairs on strategic planning and program delivery that integrates venture and industry perspectives.
• Build structured pathways that connect faculty with founders, investors, and industry leaders.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
• 7+ years of professional experience, including meaningful exposure to the startup or venture ecosystem

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience designing and leading programs that support early-stage founders from pre-seed through Series A
• Strong understanding of venture capital, startup building, or operator experience (venture background helpful but not required)
• Deep network within the Boston innovation ecosystem strongly preferred
• Proven ability to build and activate high-value networks across founders, investors, operators, and faculty
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills in complex institutional environments
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative approach
• Comfort leveraging AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance program delivery, operations, and insights

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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