Program Coordinator – READS Lab

Harvard Graduate School of Education; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Wellbeing resources

Family support

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Graduate School of Education is seeking a Program Coordinator for the READS Lab and CEPR. This role supports project management, communications, and events, helping to advance literacy research partnerships with school districts.

The position emphasizes precise writing, editing, and administrative efficiency in a collaborative setting. The role is hybrid with three days in the Cambridge office and two days remote.

Qualifications

• Two years of K-5 teaching experience or relevant work experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to tailor content to audiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities; capacity to handle multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Project support: assist in budgets, invoices, reimbursements and grant-related paperwork.
• Communications and social media: draft newsletters, posts, and email campaigns; maintain READS Lab websites.
• Events support: plan and execute Lab events, manage travel logistics and deadlines.

Skills

K-5 teaching experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

Website content management

Canva

iMovie

Adobe Creative Cloud

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.

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 the Harvard Graduate School of Education?

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.
Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.

Job Description

Job Summary: HGSE is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world by improving education. READS Lab at Harvard University is a joyful, agile research team that builds long-term partnerships with school districts to solve grand challenges in literacy and education. We do this by advancing the 3Rs of research—relevance, rigor, and replication. We encourage you to check out our website to learn more about both READS Lab and the MORE Program, which this position would support. The Program Coordinator will also be part of the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University. CEPR and its partners believe all students will learn and thrive when education leaders make decisions using facts and findings, rather than untested assumptions. Learn more at cepr.harvard.edu.

The Program Coordinator will support the READS Lab’s Project Manager and Curriculum & Learning Development Manager by executing a range of activities that require attention to detail and high-quality writing and editing. A core responsibility of this position is to organize and maintain administrative systems and procedures that support the Lab’s work. The Coordinator will also provide logistics support for Lab events; coordinate and draft communications; support research studies; and contribute day-to-day operations. This role may also support the classroom tools team by drafting, editing, and providing quality control of teacher-facing resources for MORE (Model of Reading Engagement) and digital activities. The Coordinator will be part of the broader CEPR research team and may also support additional CEPR projects that require precise, clear, and audience-appropriate written materials.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Project support (50%)

• In collaboration with Program Managers, contributes to and work within program budgets; processes all program-related invoices, transactions, and reimbursements in a timely way; monitors and reconciles expenses and reviews contracts as necessary.
• Contributes to administrative, operational, and logistical tasks for grant-funded research initiatives, including supporting data collection efforts, issuing and maintaining paperwork for human subjects payments, and reviewing and contributing to 2-pagers and research briefs.
• Assist in the writing and editing of teacher-facing classroom resources and digital activities for the MORE (Model of Reading Engagement) curriculum.
• Assists with other projects and work as necessary.

Communications and social media (30%)

• Support implementation of the READS Lab’s communications calendar and promotion schedule to ensure timely release of materials, publications, announcements, and event promotions.
• Draft, edit, and distribute newsletters, social media posts email campaigns, announcements, and other public-facing communications related to research, publications, and other relevant topics.
• Maintain and update the READS Lab websites, including posting research, news, profiles, events, and program information, and coordinating with technical staff as needed.
• Assist with drafting and scheduling content for social media channels, monitor engagement, and help strengthen the READS’s digital presence.

Events support (20%)

• Conducts the planning and execution of Lab events, including travel logistics, using an event checklist and timeline, and adhering to programmatic deadlines. Works to anticipate logistical needs.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Two years of K-5 teaching experience or relevant work experience
• Candidates moving to the final round will be asked to do a timed writing task.
• Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter. Any applicant wishing to be considered for this position must indicate that they meet all the basic requirements in either the cover letter or resume.

The position is currently a hybrid position with 3 days in the Cambridge office and 2 days remote.

This position is a term appointment for one year from the date of hire, with a strong possibility of continuation.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Experience in website content management, graphic design, video editing and design tools such as Canva, iMovie, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor content to different audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Skill working in a deadline-oriented environment while managing multiple concurrent priorities, working both independently and as a team member.
• projects and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and teamwork skills.
• Willingness and interest to contribute to organizational learning and a commitment to enthusiastically support the overall activity of the unit.
• Ability to work in an open office environment.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: One year from the date of hire
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $63,132 - $65,000 commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

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 054. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• 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.