Legal Assistant

The Legal Assistant is part of a team of six administrative assistants in the Office of the General Counsel, reporting to the Department Administrator. The Legal Assistant provides day-to-day administrative support for four OGC attorneys in their varied law practices.

Typical duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Provides direct support for a group of University Attorneys, including complex calendar management, room-booking, correspondence, coordinating conference and travel arrangements (applying the relevant policies and guidance), processing expense reports and reimbursements, and management of electronic and paper legal files.
• Processes and edits correspondence, memos, and legal documents, including photocopying, scanning, and redacting information from documents, and transcribing handwritten documents.
• Creates, organizes, and maintains files, both hard copy and electronic, for a variety of legal matters, using the office’s electronic docket and document management systems.
• Arranges meetings, schedules rooms, and equipment.
• Works collaboratively with other administrative staff to improve office functions and accomplish tasks that involve group efforts.
• Provides support for other OGC attorneys as needed to cover other administrative staff absences, which may include other duties assigned.
• Provides coverage to the office’s reception desk as needed.
• Manages office-wide functions with minimal supervision.
• Is available to coordinate other department projects as needed

Minimum of 3 years of experience in an administrative support role.

Must be extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Products (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel). Bachelor’s degree preferred. Prior work experience in a law firm or with Harvard’s financial systems preferred. Candidate will be a notary public or be willing to obtain a notary public certification at the OGC’s expense. Familiarity with legal terminology or willingness to learn. Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong attention to detail. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team. Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Harvard Human Resources actively supports hybrid work where business and team needs allow. This is a five day per week position with a hybrid schedule. Additional detail pertaining to this position will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, IL, NH, NY, RI, VA, VT, WA)
“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.”

This is a non-union, non-exempt, confidential position.

This position will start hybrid (some on-campus/some remote work), with the transition to full on-campus work in Cambridge if required by the department. Employees will be expected to commute to the office in Cambridge as required.

Please note that Harvard cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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.

General Administration

USA - MA - Cambridge

403036 Secretary III, Technical

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Office of the General Counsel

-

Full-time

054

99 - Non-Union, Confidential Non-Ex

Education, Identity

This is a full-time non-exempt position and will require on-campus presence up to three days per week with flexibility for more days based on business needs. Typical business hours are 9a-5p, Monday through Friday. 35 hours/week.

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.

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.