Research Manager, Bloomberg Center for Cities

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About the Bloomberg Center for Cities

The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The Center is designed to have practical impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world. 

The Research Manager will play a key role in providing operational support to advance the Center’s research agenda. Reporting to the Senior Director of Research, the manager will be responsible for project management of open calls, leading the coordination of staff and student researchers, managing workflows, and liaising with internal and external partners to ensure timely, high-quality research deliverables. This is a hands-on role that requires exceptional attention to detail, strong communication and project management skills, and the ability to coordinate across multiple departments, all in service of developing and delivering successful research projects.  

Responsibilities:

Open Calls 

• Lead the development and implementation strategy of proposal intake and review processes, including oversight of submission tracking, analysis of reviewer feedback, and communication of outcomes.
• Prepare written materials and presentations relevant to the Open Calls process, including guidelines and FAQs, briefing documents.  
• Develop and manage directories of researchers and partner organizations. 
• Support Senior Director in strategic engagement with academic partners, city research partners, and professional networks. 
• Manage and oversee communications with applicants, reviewers, and PIs, serving as the primary point of contact to ensure coordinated engagement, timely information flow, and effective issue resolution.  
• Lead collaboration with staff from other Center teams and manage student assistants carrying out research relevant to the Open Calls process. 
• Work closely with the Center Administration and Finance team to facilitate relevant School and University research call administrative processes. 
• Lead oversight, review, and analysis of the significant open call research award budget, maintaining rigorous tracking of allocations and expenditures to ensure fiscal accountability and informed decision-making. 
• Lead planning on convenings, webinars, and knowledge-sharing sessions with researchers and city leaders, working with the Senior Director. 

General Research Operations and Management  

• Manage the recruitment and onboarding of research assistants. 
• Supervise student researchers, fostering skill development and teamwork. 
• Liaise with IRB and other compliance offices to support research approvals and requirements. 
• Organize research team meetings, maintain project documentation, and track deliverables across multiple projects. 
• Contribute to research-related programming and events, including conferences and faculty support activities. 
• Manage project timelines and deliverables to ensure high-quality research, analysis, writing, and presentation of outputs. 
• Participate actively in building a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning within the research team and across teams at the Center. 
• Other duties as assigned in support of the Center’s research projects. 

 

 

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public policy, social sciences, management, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• 6 years of relevant professional experience in research, program management, or related roles. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with senior leaders, faculty, external partners, and junior staff. 
• Experience supervising or mentoring research assistants, interns, or junior staff preferred. 
• Familiarity with academic research processes, including IRB, data collection, and dissemination. 
• Familiarity with Airtable, SharePoint, and Salesforce a plus.
• Demonstrated experience managing client relationships, managing projects independently, meeting project timelines, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders in a productive, professional, and timely manner. 

• Appointment End Date: June 30, 2026, with strong possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This is a full-time, on-campus position based in Cambridge, MA. Flexible remote work arrangements may be available with supervisory approval.
• #LI-ES2

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 057. 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.