The Institutional Data Initiative (IDI) is a new research center working to advance society's relationship with knowledge by expanding access to, and deepening our understanding of, the data that underpins AI. By collaborating with library, government, and academic institutions to publish their knowledge collections as AI training sets, IDI seeks to 1) empower those institutions and the cultures they represent, 2) build a foundational pipeline for academic inquiry of AI, and 3) advance the state of the art for all builders of AI systems.
IDI's work spans the AI data ecosystem-from digitization, data structuring, and metadata synthesis, to safety and security analysis, all the way through to benchmarking and the development of ethical and governance frameworks. Institutional collaboration forms the gateway to this work and IDI places a particular emphasis on opportunities with institutions that expand the cultural breadth of knowledge represented in the building blocks of AI.
At its core, IDI is a data practice around which other interdisciplinary work is convened. While theory and analysis are critical components of IDI's work, our impact is a direct factor of our ability to ship novel data. As such, IDI's workflows resemble those of a product studio. Our projects are time-bound and scopes are driven by ambition within time constraints. Our team structure is relatively flat and each member is expected to bring vision for their work and drive it through to completion. We prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration with academic contributors, both internal and external, as essential work that prevents the commodification of the data we help to publish.
The Senior Partnerships Manager will foster opportunities for collaboration by building relationships with other institutions and identifying novel corpora of institutional collections where IDI might have an impact. The person in this role will build on previous experience working in or with knowledge institutions to appreciate the nuances of their institutional missions and find places where IDI might empower them while their high-level understanding of AI and IDI's capabilities will enable ambitious opportunities to arise from these conversations. As IDI's institutional connections grow, the person in this role will develop a map of the landscape of opportunities, including specific knowledge collections, document them for triage and discussion within IDI, and shepherd them through from kickoff to fruition. Since these collaborations are the heart of IDI, this work will help set the rhythm of all other work at the initiative.
The Senior Partnerships Manager will also contribute to the building of community around IDI's work to enable outside collaborators-fellow technologists, academics, students, cultural stakeholders-to expand our capabilities, capacity, and perspectives. IDI operates within Harvard and alongside the Library Innovation Lab, the Berkman Klein Center, and the Applied Social Media Lab; engaging these communities, among others, is critical to delivering on our mission.
Position Description
As a Senior Partnerships Manager, you will:
Develop relationships at library, academic, and government institutions across the globe.
Develop outreach strategies to connect with institutions and their stakeholders, including through both warm and cold connections, and systems for tracking progress.
Attend conferences to represent IDI and expand the initiative's footprint.
Find and document collaboration opportunities, including detailed analysis of corpora against a range of criteria.
Work with IDI's technical team members to understand capabilities and capacity.
Convene stakeholders to ensure alignment on goals and to manage expectations.
Help build the IDI research community by onboarding and interacting with institutional partners within IDI's community platforms.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and 7 years of relevant work experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
An interest in developing a high-level understanding of AI and a desire to guide AI toward the public interest.
Experience working at or with knowledge institutions including library, academic, or government organizations.
A proven track record of developing and managing a large network of business relationships, whether nonprofit or commercial.
An ability to work independently in developing new opportunities, from idea to execution, while also collaborating with a technical team.
Experience working within early stage or high velocity companies and organizations.
Working Conditions
Travel is required for quarterly on-site meetings. Occasional travel for conferences and events as needed.
Additional Information
This is a two-year term appointment with potential for renewal subject to funding and departmental need.
Given the multidisciplinary nature of our work, we encourage a short cover letter to explain how your career trajectory and interests align with our work and mission.
We regret that Harvard Law School is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
All offers to be made by HLS Human Resources.
About Us
Be a part of excellence and leadership in legal education and scholarship at Harvard Law School. We are a community of talented people from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives, dedicated to advancing the cause of justice all over the world. We value our differences and our diversity as a source of strength. We are committed to developing and inspiring our students and our workforce. Whoever you are, whatever you do, however you do it, Harvard Law School is a place where you can thrive.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)
#LI-MH1
Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code: 360058 Admin Offcr/SrIndiv Contrib
Job Function: General Administration
Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub Unit: ------------
Salary Grade: 058
Department: Library Innovation Lab
Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Time Status: Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening: Education, Identity
Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
