Working at Harvard Business School

Faculty and staff come from all over the world and the School is consistently on the cutting edge of business evolution.

Departments
A staff member helps MBA students understand the role of her department during orientation.

Founded in 1908, Harvard Business School has been dedicated to its mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world.

We have evolved to meet the management needs of a changing country, and now, a changing global economy.

From the beginning, the significance of the theory and research being developed by the School was evident. Communicating the leading business issues of the day began with the publication of the first Harvard Business Review in 1922. Today, millions of cases are sold internationally every year, consistently expanding HBS’s reach.

Culture

The Harvard Business School (HBS) community is truly unique: the campus is a workplace that is both beautiful and varied. The faculty and staff are from all over the world and the School is consistently on the cutting edge of business evolution.

To work here is an opportunity to be a part of a community that is passionate about what we do. Most employers will say that they are different but at Harvard Business School, we really are.

We are fortunate to straddle the worlds of academia and business, so we tend to operate with a more corporate mentality than you might expect in other academic settings. As one of the middle-sized professional Schools within Harvard, HBS is small enough for people to know each other, yet large enough to provide opportunities. Our staff comes from all walks of life, with various levels of experience, education, and this only adds to the richness of our environment.

Department Descriptions

Community

  • Community Celebrations: Every year, in the spirit of giving thanks, we gather as a community to remember what truly matters and what makes Harvard Business School such a unique and remarkable place.

    Community Celebrations
    Every year, in the spirit of giving thanks, we gather as a community to remember what truly matters and what makes Harvard Business School such a unique and remarkable place.

  • The School offers special evening activities on campus, including movie nights with offerings running the spectrum from Disney classics to documentaries.

    Documentary & Movie Nights
    The School offers special evening activities on campus, including movie nights with offerings running the spectrum from Disney classics to documentaries. These are open to the entire community.

  • In the warmer months, food trucks come to campus with a variety of lunch options, and sometimes even an ice-cream truck to enjoy a sweet treat.

    Food Trucks
    In the warmer months, food trucks come to campus with a variety of lunch options, and sometimes even an ice-cream truck to enjoy a sweet treat.

  • It has become a tradition to honor long-time employees. The program acknowledges staff milestones every five years.

    Milestone Celebrations
    It has become a tradition to honor long-time employees. The program acknowledges staff milestones every five years. Ellen Mahoney (Chief Human Resources Officer) enjoys the event and interacting with longer service colleagues. “The stories they share are priceless, the memories are heartfelt, their affection for the School is infectious, and the laughter reminds you of what a special place this is because of its people.”

  • Shad Hall offers over 50 group fitness classes per week and personal trainers that provide more than 1300 training sessions per year.

    Amenities
    Shad Hall, centrally located on the school’s campus, is available to HBS employees, students, alumni and partners. Shad offers over 50 group fitness classes per week and personal trainers that provide more than 1300 training sessions per year. In addition to fitness, Shad is a great place to gather and build community outside the classroom or office!

  • Employees have the opportunity to join a variety of affinity groups and connect with others who share similar ethnicities, interest, experiences, and characteristics.

    Diversity
    Our staff brings varying ethnic and regional backgrounds, skills, education levels, and personal experiences to their work. Employees have the opportunity to join a variety of affinity groups and connect with others who share similar ethnicities, interest, experiences, and characteristics.

Diversity

We are a community committed to welcoming and accepting individuals from diverse global and local communities. Our staff brings varying ethnic backgrounds, skill levels, education levels, and personal experiences to their work creating an environment based ont he shared values of respect for the rights and dignity of others.

Harvard Business School is a community committed to welcoming and accepting individuals from diverse global and local communities.

How We Differ from Harvard University

While Harvard University offers world-renowed speakers and colloquia, the excitement of Cambridge, MA and Harvard Square, Harvard Business School is across the Charles River, in Boston. We are proud members of the Allston community and have our own opportunities for staff to hear speakers, attend classes taught by our faculty specifically for staff, and even intersect with some of our interesting guests as part of their roles. Our community events including the annual Thanksgiving pies from the Dean and the Pen Pal program bring colleagues together, as well as extending our outreach to our local neighbors.


An aerial view of the Harvard Business School campus.

Benefits & Compensation

  • Time Off

    See Harvard's generous vacation, holiday, sick time, and family leave policies.

  • Medical & Dental

    Quality and affordability are the hallmarks of Harvard's medical and dental plans.

  • Work/Life Balance

    Harvard offers an array of resources for working parents.

  • Retirement Planning

    Learn about saving for retirement through our Tax-Deferred Account program and a variety of generous, competitive pension plans.

  • Learning & Development

    Harvard Business School (HBS) is committed to the professional development and growth of its staff. In service to the School’s mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world, HBS offers training for individual contributors and managers alike. Additionally, with generous tuition reimbursement programs at the University and local level, the cost of most undergraduate and graduate programs is covered by Harvard. By joining HBS you’ll have the opportunity to continue to grow professionally and academically. More information on University offerings can be found here.

  • Compensation & Salary Grades

    Harvard offers competitive salaries that are designed to attract, retain, and reward the performance of talented employees.

Open Positions