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Harvard University

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Difficult to get in, difficult to leave - Operations Manager Harvard University Employee Review

2.0
Jun 25, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Tuition remission - Health insurance - Holidays and PTO - Being in a HUCTW role (Union) has added benefits, like dedicated time off of work each week for personal development (after 2 years of service) - being in the union also draws strict boundaries for work/life (9 - 5pm) - Working with phenomenal colleagues, relationships built -

Cons

- Red tape literally everywhere - Difficult to grow and progress in role - it has been said that it is easier to get a new job within Harvard than get a promotion on your current team - Action on DEIB efforts seriously lagging (at least in my department) - HR puts Harvard first, not its people - Same goes for Leadership Leadership knows that people are replaceable, so when staff leave they dont care. We need people analytics to share the truth behind the scene. Leaders are hesitant to even explore this for this reason.

Explore other reviews about Harvard University

5.0
Jul 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Light work if you have the right team

Cons

Low pay for amount of work

2.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Union and benefits for non-profits/higher ed. Wonderful colleagues outside of leadership!

Cons

GSD Development and Alumni Relations (under current leadership) is an incredibly toxic work environment. I didn't realize the intensity of the toll it took on my until after leaving, and I am not one to leave a negative review, but as they are hiring for several positions currently, I wish to share words of caution with applicants. Cons: - Absolutely not a safe space for anyone who is Black, brown, trans, queer, working-class, or disabled - 100% top-down direction. No room for personal exploration, initiative, or creativity. - Minimal guidance from leadership - Frequent pivots, even in the late stages of projects - Petty, immature talking behind your back by leadership - No upward mobility unless the Associate Dean or Dean like you - Deeply disingenuous comments, reflections, and feedback from leadership - Complete lack of transparency on direction, goals, etc. - Small mistakes are made cornerstones of performance evaluations, while leadership routinely missteps. Leadership never takes accountability. - Top-down policy decisions, completely lacking detail, thought, and care outside of legal ramifications - Ever-changing in-office requirements

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