ALASTAIR Clarkson will miss part of Hawthorn's JLT Community Series campaign later this month in favour of a short trip overseas.

The four-time premiership coach will be undertaking a leadership course at Harvard University while the Hawks take on North Melbourne at Arden Street on February 26. 

Assistant coach Cameron Bruce will take on coaching duties that day.

Clarkson will be back from the United States a fortnight later when the Hawks play Port Adelaide at Noarlunga. However Adem Yze, another of his assistants, will be in charge that day. 

For the first time in a few years, Clarkson will coach the Hawks in a pre-season game when he oversees the opener on February 17 against Geelong at UTAS Stadium in Launceston. 

Current senior coaches Brendan Bolton, Luke Beveridge, Leon Cameron and Adam Simpson all had opportunities under Clarkson to coach Hawthorn in the pre-season competition in their time with the club. 

"It gives our assistant coaches exposure to the demands of coaching not only on game day but in the week leading in and taking charge of the football program," said general manager of football Jason Burt. 

"We’ve felt it’s really beneficial for the growth and development of the guys."

Despite Jarryd Roughead's elevation to the captaincy last month, Hawthorn will rotate captains through the pre-season competition, with those appointments to be confirmed before each match. 

Liam Shiels and Isaac Smith are the new vice-captains at Hawthorn, while Jack Gunston and Ben Stratton have been elevated to the leadership group. 

Roughead hasn't played senior football in 12 months, but said in January he hoped to be passed fit to take part in the JLT series.