The Harvard Center for African Studies (CAS) Opens Search for Executive Director

The Harvard Center for African Studies is pleased to announce an open search for a talented and experienced Executive Director.

The Executive Director works in close partnership with the Oppenheimer Faculty Director and plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day management of staff and programming to advance the Center's mission across Harvard and beyond. This is an exceptional opportunity for an administrative leader with a passion for Africa to help shape the work of one of Harvard's most nimble and collaborative interdisciplinary research centers, with a core location in Cambridge and a second office in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Executive Director is responsible for translating the Center's intellectual vision into programmatic reality. The ED manages people, resources, key initiatives, fundraising opportunities and partnerships that help the Center grow and deliver on its strategic goals of strengthening learning and research, building community, and creating transformative impact.

At the heart of our vision is the idea of the African Century, which recognizes that the defining questions of our time will increasingly be answered on the African continent. Harvard's Center for African Studies therefore aims to be a leading global community of scholarship and public engagement on the issues that meet this critical juncture, including demographic, economic, environmental, technological, political, and cultural realities and possibilities. Harvard’s approach to African Studies for the 21st Century seeks to create a future-oriented, interdisciplinary knowledge ecosystem that understands Africa not only as a subject of historical inquiry, but as a central force shaping the future of humanity.

Ideal candidates will bring a collaborative, energetic approach and a skilled repertoire of ten or more years of professional experience managing teams and budgets, with a strong track record on issues related to Africa and/or academia.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a collaborative and inclusive community. The full job description and application portal can be found here: https://careers.harvard.edu/job/executive-director-in-cambridge-ma-unit….

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting March 23, 2026. Interested candidates may contact recruiter Jen Bellenoit with any questions (jbellenoit@fas.harvard.edu).