Program Coordinator, Higher Education

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.

At the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University (CEPR) our mission is to transform education through the power of quality evidence. We believe that if we want to dramatically improve educational outcomes for all children, evidence must play a critical role. 

The Strategic Data Project (SDP), an initiative of the Center for Education Policy Research, is a national network of education leaders working to use data to improve student success. SDP has trained more than 1000 data leaders through its data fellowships, and SDP Institutes in Leadership and Analytics (SILA). 

CEPR offers programs that connect doctoral students with opportunities to apply their research in real education agencies, while also building networks and learning from faculty across Harvard through seminars and events. These experiences help students bridge academic training with practical impact in the field.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Higher Education Program Coordinator will be a core member of the Strategic Data Project’s team, and will support other CEPR fellowship programs as needed, by helping support high quality events, in-person and virtual; on and off campus. 

Event Support (30%) 

Coordinate in-person and virtual workshops to ensure a high-quality experience for fellows and partners. 

• This includes making purchases within a pre-assigned event/function budget, and negotiating and liaising directly with hotel management, food vendors, and A/V contacts to create a successful event experience.
• Support event speakers and attendees by booking their travel and securing their lodging at in-person events held across the country, in a manner that is consistent with university policies, event timeline, and available resources.
• Provide in-office support for pre- and post-event organization, including printing materials and packing and shipping supplies to on-site event locations.

Event Planning and Facilitation (20%) 

• Contributing to creation of event collateral, agenda design, session delivery, and other aspects of event and experience planning for events and workshops. 
• Presenting at planning meetings, engaging key stakeholders and internal and external partners throughout event planning and execution and ensuring seamless event implementation. 
• Monitoring event attendees as they register for programs, progress through logistical tasks, and ultimately participate in the event. 
• Providing strategic reminders, support, and accountability to ensure successful and productive attendance at CEPR events.

Fellowship Monitoring (25%) 

• Monitoring fellowship participants progress through program milestones, identifying participants who are behind schedule or at-risk of falling behind for the Program Manager.
• Maintain accurate contact records in QuickBase and related platforms; managing access to partner tools; tracking attendee progress through operational tasks (e.g., booking travel to events); and keeping attendees informed of upcoming milestones and deadlines. 
• Support Program Manager with tasks related to onboarding and offboarding cohorts, including contact management, development of communication plans, and management of Learning Management Software. 
• Provide support to the fellow experience by being a "first line" of triage and question support via email and/or at in-person events.  
• Providing strategic reminders, support, and accountability to ensure successful and productive attendance at SDP events. 

Program Operations (15%) 

• Preparing and maintaining financial documentation including reimbursement paperwork, financial reports in Concur, and reviewing complex documents, such as hotel contracts, to assure compliance with university requirements and/or government regulations. 
• Work with program directors and managers to effectively leverage partner tools, including learning management platforms (e.g., Canvas), event websites (e.g., Sched), and Slack. This also includes incorporating these partner tools into communication strategies, creating templates as needed, and finalizing materials to ensure consistently branded, high-quality content. 
• Work with program directors and managers to effectively leverage partner tools, including learning management platforms (e.g., Canvas), event websites (e.g., Sched), and Slack. This also includes incorporating these partner tools into communication strategies, creating templates as needed, and finalizing materials to ensure consistently branded, high-quality content. 

Cross-Team Collaboration and Participation (10%)

• Work as part of a team that supports the success of CEPR initiatives. 
• Proactively collaborate with other events coordinators and team members responsible for financial processing to ensure consistent practices, share learnings and resources, and troubleshoot challenges together. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Associates degree and 3 years of experience, or the equivalent. 
• Prior program/ project coordination experience. 

All candidates invited to the final interview round will be asked to complete an activity / task. 

To be considered, you must submit a cover letter. Please submit your resume and cover letter as one document when applying for the role.

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

This position is Hybrid and requires occasional travel (approximately 10%). Overtime opportunities may be available. Flexibility to work early mornings, late evenings, and weekends as needed to support scheduled events is required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Excellent, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills required. 
• Ability to prioritize work in an environment with multiple and conflicting interests. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion. 
• Competency using a variety of computer programs, especially Microsoft suite and Google docs.  
• Experience with Quickbase, Qualtrics, Canvas, Concur, Zoom, and project management platforms (e.g. Asana) are pluses.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• Experience working with (or in) education or the public sector preferred.

• Appointment End Date:1 year from Date of Hire 
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable):
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). 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

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.