Career Readiness Lead, Pathway Programs

LabCentral; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Parental leave

401K match

Transportation reimbursement

Cell phone stipend

Job summary

LabCentral in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Career Readiness Lead for its Pathway Programs. You will coach participants, facilitate workshops, and coordinate industry engagement with biotech employers and mentors to prepare candidates for biotech careers.

The role focuses on program operations, data tracking, and grant reporting, with onsite work and a strong emphasis on equity and participant success. A bachelor’s degree and hands-on experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 2-3 years supporting internship, apprenticeship, or career readiness programs.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Strong organizational and project coordination abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration tools.
• Familiarity with biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, or STEM workforce pathways.
• Experience collecting/tracking program data or supporting grant-funded initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver career readiness programming and workshops.
• Engage biotechnology employers, partners, and mentors to create internship/employment opportunities.
• Coordinate logistics for workshops, events, mentoring, and readiness programs.
• Track program participation, feedback, and workforce placement; support reporting and evaluation.

Skills

Presentation skills

Facilitation

Project coordination

Communication

MS Office

Biotech familiarity

Data tracking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Workforce Development, Life Sciences or related field

Tools

Virtual collaboration tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Career Readiness Lead, Pathway Programs

Who Are We?

Founded in the heart of Kendall Square in 2013, LabCentral is a network of shared laboratory spaces and scientific communities that serve as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences and biotech start-ups. We deliver first-class facility and operational support, skilled laboratory personnel, and an expansive events program designed to add value to the community and promote connectivity— as well as the other critical services and support that early-stage companies need to begin start-up operations.

What Is This Role?

Are you passionate about workforce development and do you get excited at the prospect of helping individuals navigate career potential within the life sciences?

LabCentral is hiring a Career Readiness Lead reporting directly to the Director, Educational Programming. You will be responsible for supporting program participants throughout their workforce development journey while helping deliver career readiness programming across LabCentral’s Biotech Pathway Programs (read more here).

This position serves as a key point of contact for program participants and plays a hands‑on role in coaching, workshop facilitation, program coordination, employer engagement, and participant success. The Career Readiness Lead works closely with program staff, industry partners, mentors, and employers to ensure participants are prepared for potential opportunities in biotechnology.

What Will I Do?

Responsibilities

Career Readiness Programming

• Engender an inclusive, engaging learning environment
• Facilitate and deliver engaging and effective career readiness workshops covering professional communication, teamwork and collaboration, workplace professionalism, networking and personal branding, resume building, interview preparation, and career exploration within biotechnology

Biotech Industry Exposure & Employer Engagement

• Support existing and build new relationships with biotechnology employers, workforce partners, and community organizations
• Coordinate employer participation in panels, networking sessions, site visits, career fairs, and mock interviews
• Assist participants in understanding biotechnology career pathways and industry expectations
• Help identify internship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities aligned with participant interests
• Serve as a liaison between participants and employer partners when appropriate

Program Operations

• Coordinate logistics for workshops, industry events, mentoring activities, and career readiness programs
• Support participant recruitment, onboarding, engagement, and retention activities
• Create presentations, handouts, newsletters, and program materials
• Ensure a positive participant experience throughout the program lifecycle

Data Tracking & Reporting

• Track data, including program participation, participant feedback, workforce placement, and other relevant information
• Support reporting requirements for grants, workforce development initiatives, and program evaluation
• Assist with creating reports, dashboards, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders

What Do I Bring?

Desired Qualifications and technical skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Education, Workforce Development, Life Sciences, Human Resources, Communications, Public Health, Business, or equivalent experience.
• 2-3 years of experience supporting internship, apprenticeship, or career readiness programs. Ideally working with students, early-career professionals, or populations underrepresented in biotech.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and project coordination abilities, with a strong attention to detail and follow through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration tools.
• Familiarity with biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, or STEM workforce pathways.
• Experience collecting and tracking program data or supporting grant-funded initiatives.

Desired Competencies and behaviors

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with a coaching and mentoring mindset
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Commitment to participant success and workforce equity.
• Passion for advancing access, equity, and inclusion within STEM and biotechnology careers.

Work environment:

• Fully onsite during regular business hours, with flexibility to work evenings and, rarely, weekends around the events calendar.
• Ability to travel locally.
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods, move around an office and lab environment, and communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 25 pounds.

What do we offer?

Benefits

• Fully Covered Medical and Dental Premiums: We have you and your dependents covered, including deductible costs.
• Long and Short-Term Disability & Life Insurance: Life can be unexpected; we’ve got your back.
• Flexible Vacation: Enjoy the flexibility to take the time you need.
• Three Months Fully Paid Parental Leave: We’ll help support you during life’s important moments.
• 401K Match Up to 6% with Immediate Vestment: Know your future is secure with our 401K match.
• Transportation Reimbursements: We’ll cover commuting costs for a parking pass, MBTA, or bike to help ease your commute.
• Health & Wellness: Relax and enjoy reimbursements for fitness, yoga, massage therapy, and other holistic health practices.
• Technology Stipend: To ensure you stay connected, we offer a monthly cell phone stipend as well as yearly reimbursements for cell phone repairs.
• Professional Growth: We offer a stipend for continuing education and training to invest in your career growth, and we help ease the burden of student loans by providing reimbursement.
• Fantastic Work Environment: Be inspired by colleagues and residents, and work in vibrant spaces that are stocked with a variety of snacks. Plus, we offer in‑house programming on thought‑provoking and diverse topics!

Compensation

Our compensation philosophy is intentional and researched to align with average market salaries; comprehensive, generous benefits to support overall well‑being; and parity with our existing and future team members. Below details the value of what our compensation package may look like, but specific details pertaining to an individual will vary.

Salary range: $57k-74k along with the potential to earn a bonus of 8% based on company performance.

Approximate monetary value of benefits (based on an individual – dependents increase value): $24,000.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

LabCentral is committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the city around us. We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any other human expressions and experiences not mentioned here are equally welcome. If you require an accommodation, please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.