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.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• BA/BS required.
• Minimum 12–15 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, international education, immigration services, or a closely related field, including substantial experience managing complex operations and teams.
• Demonstrated experience with U.S. immigration regulations affecting international students, scholars, and/or employees (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, and related categories), or equivalent regulatory environment experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing a diverse professional staff (20+ employees) in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary organization serving multiple client groups with differing needs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate complex regulatory and policy issues clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, manage, and coach others; to set priorities and manage competing demands; and to lead effectively through change.
• Service-oriented with strong judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills; able to formulate both strategic and tactical solutions to administrative and regulatory challenges.
• Thorough knowledge and demonstrated proficiency with office computing systems and databases; experience using technology to improve operations and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, lead, and participate in effective teams as well as work independently with minimal supervision.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., higher education administration, international relations, law, public policy, business administration) strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in a large, decentralized research university environment strongly preferred.
• Experience working directly with external immigration counsel, government agencies, or legal offices on complex immigration or regulatory matters.
• Experience leading cross-functional working groups or steering committees and managing institution-wide change initiatives.
• Familiarity with SEVIS-related systems, international student and scholar information systems, and HR/ERP platforms.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to supporting the needs of a highly diverse international community.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency with standard office applications (e.g., Microsoft Office or equivalent) and collaboration tools.
• Experience with database and case-management systems used in international student and scholar services or HR/immigration compliance.
• Ability to understand and work with reporting, analytics, and dashboard tools to support decision-making and regulatory reporting.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet operational needs or respond to urgent regulatory changes.
• Occasional domestic travel may be required for conferences, professional meetings, or training.

Technology Skills Required

• Proficiency with standard office applications (e.g., Microsoft Office or equivalent) and collaboration tools.
• Experience with database and case‑management systems used in international student and scholar services or HR/immigration compliance.
• Ability to understand and work with reporting, analytics, and dashboard tools to support decision‑making and regulatory reporting.

Additional Information

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, Criminal,

Other Information:

#LI-TH1

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 060. 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.