Community Engagement Specialist, Harvard Innovation Labs

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Parental leave

Job summary

Harvard University in Boston seeks a Community Specialist to manage the i-lab student community, engage members, and coordinate communications across channels, supporting day-to-day participant experiences with Operations and front desk teams.

The role emphasizes programming, member engagement, and cross-school Collaboration with Harvard stakeholders and external partners; a strong administrative background and excellent people skills are essential; a Bachelor's degree is preferred.

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.
• Community engagement, student support, program management, or related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages the student i-lab community and its 3000+ members, including newsletters and events.
• Ensures students are connected across Harvard Schools and develops programming to enable communication.
• Manages inquiry processes, converts applicants to members, and guides through the membership funnel.
• Fosters a positive community through daily engagement, monitors feedback, and provides data-driven insights.
• Plans and executes community programming such as welcome events, term-end events, and sub-community sessions.
• Launches initiatives like Student Ambassador programs and recruits student leaders.
• Manages administration of new programs and collaborations with external partners.
• Oversees Ingenuity Award and President’s Innovation Challenge programming.

Skills

Administrative support

Customer service

Communication skills

Organization

People skills

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job 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 Summary:

The CommunitySpecialistownstherelationshipwith our studentsin the Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem.The CommunitySpecialistacts as a community communications strategist, creating systems and campaigns that engage members, build community, and create responsive and customized experiences for students.The roleis responsible forcultivatinga strong senseofengagement and participationamong all Harvard Innovation Labs(HIL)members and offers supportby performing a variety of complex administrative and support duties to enhance theHILprograms and resources. This includes building and managing the day-to-day experience of participants usingi-lab resources, coordinating communications across different channels, and developingand executingcommunity-related programming. The role reports to theAssistantDirector,ProgrammingandMemberExperience.

Please see innovationlabs.harvard.edu for 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 Operationsfor 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.

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 high standard of excellence andkeenattention to detail.

• Experience designing and executing community or membership communications (e.g., newsletters, campaigns, or multi-channel outreach)preferred

• Comfortanalyzingbasicdata andtrends(e.g., surveys, participation data, dashboards) to inform decisions and improve programs.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work occasional extra hours as well as a flexible schedule, to meet deadlines and oversee and/or attendeveningevents.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week, overtime eligibleposition
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in person for this role.
  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.