Strategic Initiatives Coordinator

The Harvard Data Science Initiative (HDSI) supports cutting-edge research in data science methodology and applications across Harvard’s schools and disciplines, and fosters vibrant connections between faculty, students, and industry partners. HDSI advances interdisciplinary collaboration that addresses global challenges where data science plays a central role. The Strategic Initiatives Coordinator will support HDSI’s external engagement efforts by driving strategic research partnerships, business development, and data science programming. Acting as a vital bridge between academia and the commercial sector, the coordinator will help translate complex research into actionable industry alliances. Working under the direction of HDSI leadership and faculty advisers, this role involves preparing targeted evidence syntheses and scientific briefs to scope sponsored research concepts, consultations, and collaborative sprints. To ensure the long-term success of these partnerships, the coordinator will actively manage alliance workflows, track contractual and data-use obligations, and coordinate directly with the Office for Technology Development to identify intellectual property and support patent applications. Furthermore, the role entails designing stakeholder programming, executing events, and maintaining accurate relationship data within Salesforce. This early-career position is ideal for a recent college graduate with at least one year of professional experience (including internships) who is excited about data science, technology transfer, and collaborative problem-solving. This is a benefits-eligible, one year term appointment with possibility of extension,  contingent on funding and performance. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Industry Alliance Management • At the direction of HDSI leadership, maintain relationships with principal investigators and industry partners. • Support productive academic-industry research projects by establishing approachable, trusting, responsive, and collaborative relationships with Harvard faculty and industry partners. • Implement workflows and processes to track contractual obligations outlined in research agreements and support timely follow-through. • Work with colleagues in the Office for Technology Development to identify intellectual property arising from industry projects, ensure timely review of publications, and assist in the coordination of filing patent applications. Research & Business Development Support • Conduct research to identify potential industry partners, collaborators, and sector trends relevant to HDSI’s mission. • Prepare concise question briefs and targeted evidence syntheses for faculty review, summarizing the question, relevant findings, and information needed for further discussion. • Map relevant Harvard expertise, research activity, and related Alliance work to help identify potential contributors, complementary efforts, and opportunities for further inquiry. • Assist with outreach and engagement activities to deepen relationships with companies and organizations. • Maintain HDSI’s Salesforce instance, ensuring that accurate engagement data is entered regularly and available in well-designed reports. Program Design & Stakeholder Coordination • Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to design data science-focused programming (workshops, seminars, demos, and networking events). • Coordinate faculty and scientific discussions, prepare agendas and background materials, and support cross-team communication, project milestones, and shared deliverables. • Record Alliance-related faculty assessments, discussion outcomes, decisions, action owners, and next steps; track follow-up and document resulting research pathways, including questions deferred or not