Manager of Data Engineering

Position Description

Who We Are:

The Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) is dedicated to transforming the landscape of education by pioneering innovative methods that foster competence, curiosity, and confidence among learners globally. We aim to create engaging and scalable learning experiences, inspire groundbreaking ideas, and connect a worldwide community of learners-all while developing tools, technologies, platforms, and policies that streamline the learning process.

We are seeking a Manager of Data Engineering to serve as the technical leader on our Data and Technology Team. This team addresses VPAL's data requirements related to its online learning initiatives and Harvard's new custom online learning experience platform. The ideal candidate will possess significant expertise in data architecture, data warehousing, and data pipeline and ETL processes, and will excel in navigating complex, distributed environments.

How You'll Contribute:

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Technology, the Manager of Data Engineering will collaborate with Software Engineers, Data Engineers, and Data Scientists and work cross-functionally with marketing, finance, course development, and program support teams to enhance Harvard's broad spectrum of online and blended learning opportunities.

Responsibilities Include:

• Architecting and managing the development of data processes, infrastructure, and analytics connected to learning platforms, CRM and e-commerce systems, ticketing systems, and marketing applications.
• Prioritizing technical tasks within larger projects, coordinating with multiple partners.
• Supervising assigned staff, ensuring effective performance and providing appropriate coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback and oversight. Conducting performance evaluations.
• Leading technical collaboration with other stakeholders and partners, including Harvard University IT and other university entities, to define requirements, design reusable solutions, and deploy reliable code.
• Acting as a liaison and member of the Harvard technical community to define and implement the next generation of systems for teaching and learning across both online and blended courses.

At VPAL, your role will be to:

• Architect, build, maintain, and modify relational and multidimensional databases, relationships, data flows, and interfaces within the data warehouse.
• Design, implement, and expand data pipelines through efficient ETL activities.
• Develop and maintain new features and integrate applications with internal and third-party APIs.
• Build and sustain tools for deployment, monitoring, and operations.
• Establish engineering standards and practices to enhance quality and excellence within the team.
• Manage data engineers, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment.
• Adhere to Harvard University IT technical standards, policies, and Code of Conduct.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of five years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience
• Supervisory Experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced proficiency in relational database systems and/or NoSQL databases.
• Extensive knowledge of complex ETL processes and process automation.
• Significant experience deploying software on scalable cloud platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Google Cloud Platform, AWS).
• Proven experience with building APIs and services using RESTful architecture.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python and SQL, and experience with distributed computing systems like Spark, Hadoop, and PySpark.
• Proficiency with cloud technologies (AWS: S3, ECS, EMR, EC2, Lambda).
• Strong proficiency with data integration and orchestration tools (e.g., Apache Airflow) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Working knowledge of modern web frameworks (Node.js, Vue.js, React, Angular, Django, etc.).
• Experience in building and maintaining insightful data dashboards.

Working Conditions

• In-person work is performed in an open office setting
• VPAL is a hybrid office, as our team places a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building. Individual flexible work options for this role, including hybrid, will be discussed during the interview process. Specific in-office and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. All work must be performed in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, WA).

Additional Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: A cover letter is requested for this role. Your cover letter and resume should be submitted as a combined SINGLE DOCUMENT under the resume tab. Additional work samples may be requested for this role.

Please note: This is a two-year term position with the possibility of renewal dependent upon business need and continued funding.

Selected candidates may be asked to provide additional materials.

VPAL is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( ) 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.