Jobs / United States / Harvard University
Associate Director of Design, Operations
Harvard University · 🇺🇸 Boston, MA, US
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two — worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 123 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 73 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Harvard University paid sponsored hires in similar roles10 certified filings for “Research Associate” (Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary) in MA: $74k–$101k, median $91k. Most were filed at wage level II (50%) — 2 lottery entries, ≈31% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
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Sponsor Radar — Harvard University
The US Department of Labor certified 123 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 73 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Harvard University →
About the role
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. Design Management: • Manages assigned capital and I&A projects through study, schematic design (SD), and design development (DD) phases. • Supports development of the annual and multi-year Capital Budget (led by the Senior Director of Capital Programs) in defining, planning, and scoping potential projects. • Works with campus departments on space-related requests; develops and enforces campus design and specification standards. • Develops architectural test fits and concept viability studies as needed. • Facilitates user discussions and ensures architects' plans meet the school's functional and aesthetic needs. • Works closely with project managers in supporting all aspects of project design and delivery, advising on design-related objectives from preconstruction through project closeout. • Collaborates with the Interiors and Furniture Manager and outside design consultants to ensure a coordinated furniture, finish, and interior design process. • Coordinates interior design and sustainable material discussions with Harvard and external resources and consultants. • Prepares reports, analyses, and presentation materials related to project design management and BIM program status. Building Information Management (BIM) Program Leadership: • Leads the stand-up of an HBS BIM program: defines scope, data standards, and information architecture for space and facilities data, in coordination with Harvard University Planning and Design (HUPAD) and University standards where applicable. • Selects, contracts, and manages outsourced technical BIM vendors responsible for model development, data conversion, and ongoing technical support; reviews vendor deliverables for quality and consistency. • Partners with the Associate Director of Furniture and Moves to ensure the BIM program integrates with and enhances the existing CAFM system (MRI CenterStone) rather than duplicating it. • Establishes BIM governance: naming conventions, model-update protocols, access permissions, and a long-term maintenance plan. • Owns coordination of all project closeout documentation across capital and I&A projects – as-built drawings, submittal records, O&M manuals, warranties, and other project-related materials – ensuring ma