MIT Hiring Senior Program Assistant, Sustainability Initiative in Cambridge, USA

The Sustainability Grid; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 91,693,000 - 110,318,000; Full time

Job summary

MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative at MIT is seeking a Senior Program Assistant to provide high-level administrative and program coordination across the initiative's academic, research, events, financial, and operational activities.

The role fits an experienced admin or program support professional who can manage multiple priorities, coordinate stakeholders, support research projects, and maintain accurate financial and operational processes in a sustainability-focused academic environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least five years of administrative, office, or related professional experience.
• Progressively responsible administrative or program support experience.
• Ability to work in person at MIT Sloan, with remote work options available.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day administration of the Sustainability Certificate program, including student engagement, course logistics, guest lecturer coordination, and S-Lab project matching.
• Plan and manage speaker series, Advisory Board meetings, Certificate Graduation, and other stakeholder events.
• Provide administrative coordination for two research projects, including researcher onboarding and offboarding.
• Support payroll system setup and research project financial management.
• Process procurement, vendor setup, payments, and expense reconciliation.
• Administer MIT finance policies and related financial processes.
• Manage calendars, travel arrangements, purchasing, office operations, and stakeholder databases.
• Coordinate across students, researchers, faculty, staff, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Canvas

Content management systems

SAP

Adaptive

Coupa

Job description

MIT Hiring Senior Program Assistant, Sustainability Initiative in Cambridge, USA

The MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology supports education, research, and engagement focused on sustainability and sustainable business. The initiative brings together students, researchers, faculty, and external stakeholders to advance practical solutions to sustainability challenges.

By The Sustainability Grid Desk

Location Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Type Full-time, Hybrid

Salary $32.00 to $38.50 per hour

Experience Mid-level

Deadline Not specified

The Opportunity

MIT is seeking a Senior Program Assistant, Sustainability Initiative to provide high-level administrative and program coordination support across the initiative's academic, research, events, financial, and operational activities.

The position is well suited to an experienced administrative or program support professional who can manage multiple priorities, coordinate stakeholders, support research projects, and maintain accurate financial and operational processes in a sustainability-focused academic environment.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate the day-to-day administration of the Sustainability Certificate program, including student engagement, course logistics, guest lecturer coordination, and S-Lab project matching.
• Plan and manage speaker series, Advisory Board meetings, Certificate Graduation, and other stakeholder events.
• Provide administrative coordination for two research projects, including researcher onboarding and offboarding.
• Support payroll system setup and research project financial management.
• Process procurement, vendor setup, payments, and expense reconciliation.
• Administer MIT finance policies and related financial processes.
• Manage calendars, travel arrangements, purchasing, office operations, and stakeholder databases.
• Coordinate across students, researchers, faculty, staff, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Core Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least five years of administrative, office, or related professional experience.
• Progressively responsible administrative or program support experience.
• Ability to work in person at MIT Sloan, with remote work options available.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working at MIT or MIT Sloan.
• Experience with Salesforce, Canvas, content management systems, or financial platforms such as SAP, Adaptive, or Coupa.
• Experience in event management, grant or research project administration, or academic program coordination.
• Familiarity with sustainability concepts, ESG frameworks, climate policy, or sustainable business practices.

Why This Role Matters

This role sits at the operational center of a sustainability-focused academic initiative, connecting program administration, research coordination, student engagement, events, finance, and stakeholder management. It offers an opportunity to contribute to sustainability education and research within one of the world's leading universities.