Community Engagement Specialist, Harvard Innovation Labs

Conditions. Workplace Diversity, LLC.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard Business School is seeking a Community Specialist for the Harvard Innovation Labs to nurture the i-lab community and manage member experiences.

The role focuses on building engagement, coordinating multi-channel communications, and planning student-centered programs with cross-team support across campus.

Qualifications

• Experience in community engagement, student support, program management or related work.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated customer service skills and strong communication.
• Ability to work across teams and build relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the student i-lab community and 3000+ active members.
• Coordinate communications across channels and newsletters.
• Plan 30-40 events throughout the academic year with Events and Operations.
• Recruit, onboard and support student ambassadors and leaders.
• Collaborate with Harvard stakeholders and cross-functional teams to improve programs.

Skills

Community engagement

Program management

Customer service

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

MIDAS

SurveyMonkey Apply

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Business School?

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Community Specialist owns the relationship with our students in the Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem. The Community Specialist acts as a community communications strategist, creating systems and campaigns that engage members, build community, and create responsive and customized experiences for students. The role is responsible for cultivating a strong sense of engagement and participation among all Harvard Innovation Labs (HIL) members and offers support by performing a variety of complex administrative and support duties to enhance the HIL programs and resources. This includes building and managing the day-to-day experience of participants using i-lab resources, coordinating communications across different channels, and developing and executing community-related programming. The role reports to the Assistant Director, Programming and Member Experience.

Please see innovationlabs.harvard.edufor more information about the Harvard Innovation Labs.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the development and management of the student I-lab community and its3000+ active members, includingapplication cycle promotion,aweekly newsletter,i-lab memberSlack workspaces, events planning, andcustomer service forprogramparticipants in collaboration withOperationsand front desk teams.
• Ensures that student members are connected, supports collaboration across Harvard Schools, and develops programming and systems to ensure that participantscancommunicate and collaborate with each other.
• Managesinquiryprocessesfrom prospectivestudent members, develops communications to convert applicants into members, andguides students through the application/membership funnel.
• Fostersa positive and collaborative communitythrough daily engagement with students. Monitorsnews, happenings, feedback, struggles, and wins.Oversees developmentand synthesizes data fromcustomer surveys, feedback, focus groups, and other data sources to provide insights, support decision-making, and inform programimprovements and strategy.Designs and executes regular “pulse checks” of the community (e.g., short surveys, quick interviews) and translates qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable recommendations for the team.Constantly seeks opportunities to serve students better and streamline administrative operations.
• Plansand executes community-related programming such as welcome events, end of term events, sub-community sessions, lunches, dinners, and other programming that bringsthecommunity together. In total, supports~30-40eventsthroughout the academic yearin close collaboration with the Events and Operations teams, who lead event production andlogistics.
• Designs, launches, and manages student-facing initiatives that bridge the gap betweenHILand the broader student community, such as a Student Ambassador program. Recruits, onboards, and supports student ambassadors and other student leaders to extend the reach of i-lab programs across campus.
• Manages andsupports the administration and execution ofnew programs/ community engagement opportunities: cross-university innovation mixers, collaborations with Harvard stakeholders (student clubs),andexternal partners (AWS NextGen).
• Managesand overseesthe IngenuityAwardprogramas part of the President’s Innovation Challenge, including timeline, application process, venture evaluation process, and supporting programming such as pitch practice.

Marketing, Communication, and Operations for Student Membership Community:

• Developsand executesstrategy to effectively communicate opportunities,events,resources, and applications to students while managing the overall editorial calendar forStudenti-lab Membercommunications(in partnership with HIL marketing + communications team).Gathers usefulinformationand resources for students,synthesizesand writesclear outputsthat drive information and attendance, such as newsletters, event promotions, engagementtrackingand RSVPs.
• Serves as the primaryliaisonforthestudenttrackof thePresident’s Innovation Challenge(PIC)and IngenuityAwardfinalists.Managesdirectcommunicationswith the studentfinalistteamsto gather promotional materials and share detailed workshops and schedules.PlansIngenuityAward-specific programming (pitch sessions, orientation, finalist announcement, etc.).
• Tracksengagement in studentworkshops and events: event registrations, attendance, and student surveys.
• Supports the creation and execution of marketing collateralfrom the student perspectiveand makes recommendations for content based on student feedback (handouts, guides,videos,decksandpresentations)

Other:

• RepresentsHILat internal and external events; leads or moderates founder panels, club meetings, attends ecosystem gathering across Harvard and Boston as a representative of the student i-lab.
• Builds and nurtures close collaborations with teams acrossHIL, including Advising, Network Engagement, Marketing+Creative, Technology, Operations, and ensures that community initiatives are aligned and coordinated onobjectives. Implement repeatable processes that work well for all involved. SupportsadditionalHILprojects, operations,and events as needed.
• Maymanageand prioritizethe workload, performance management, and professional development ofinterns.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
• 5+ years of experience in administrative support role(s) is required.
• Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) experience is a must.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Community engagement, student support, program management,or related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• An individual who is naturally outgoing and has a positive attitude. Someone who can work well with others and build relationships across teams.
• Good with people’s names,storiesand,making connections.
• Mustpossesssuperior communicationskillswith high creativity, energy, integrity, thoughtfuljudgement.
• The position requiresahigh levelof organization and proactivity, paired with strong problem-solving skills. The role requires you to work independently but have the judgement to know when to ask for help or clarification.
• An individual who can learn various technology systems quickly and thinkscarefully about how to best use the tools to get the job done. Someone comfortable learning university software and systems such asSalesforce,MIDAS,SurveyMonkey Apply.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced and demanding workplace, with a