Manager, Research Partnership and Outreach

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The Program Manager for Research Partnerships and Outreach will provide project management and coordination support across two key areas of work at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR): research partnership programming and center strategy and engagement activities.

Approximately half of the role will focus on managing research partnership programming, including coordination of a public seminar series, fellowship recruitment and selection processes, and grant-related activities associated with CEPR’s research partnership initiatives. The other half of the role will support CEPR institutional priorities, including coordination related to CEPR board activities and broader center outreach and engagement efforts.

This role requires strong organizational and project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple timelines and stakeholders across the university and partner organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Research Partnerships and Outreach (Approximately 50%)

Seminar and Event Management

• Manage logistics for CEPR public seminar programming and related research partnership events.
• Liaise with campus partners (e.g., IT, AV support, room scheduling, catering, facilities) to secure and prepare event spaces.
• Work with CEPR communications on dissemination and marketing strategies for seminars and events.
• Develop and maintain seminar schedules, collaborating with faculty, students, and program leadership.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for invited speakers, including sharing agendas, collecting bios and materials, and confirming event details.
• Plan travel logistics for invited speakers, including booking flights and hotels.
• Oversee day-of event execution (on-site or virtual), including set-up, technical checks, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain organized records of seminar schedules, attendance, materials, and follow-up communications.

Fellowship Program Management

• Manage recruitment, admissions, and onboarding processes for doctoral fellows participating in CEPR research partnership programming.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for fellows regarding program logistics, timelines, and requirements.
• Manage faculty mentor participation and support communications with faculty involved in fellowship programming.
• Organize orientation sessions, student seminars, and fellowship programming events, with support from CEPR leadership.
• Maintain program documentation, including fellow materials, guides, and program records.

Research Partnership Development

• Co-manage the coordination of partnerships with school districts, state education agencies, and other education organizations participating in CEPR research collaborations.
• Lead the organization of communications and logistics related to fellowship internships or research placements with partner organizations.
• Maintain relationships with partner organizations and coordinate information sharing across stakeholders.

Grant and Program Administration

• Serve as point of administrative coordination related to grant-funded research partnership activities.
• Support preparation of materials for grant reporting, including gathering documentation, synthesizing inputs from faculty and staff, and coordinating internal review.
• Track grant deliverables and timelines and maintain organized files to support compliance and reporting.
• Assist with coordination associated with grant extensions, renewals, or new partnership opportunities.

CEPR Institutional and Board Support (Approximately 50%)

Advisory Board Engagement and Strategic Support

• Strategize engagement with the CEPR Advisory Board as a strategic partner in advancing the Center’s research, fundraising, and field engagement priorities.
• Prepare materials that communicate programmatic progress, emerging research opportunities, and institutional priorities to board members with the support of CEPR Leadership.
• Contribute to the development of board presentations, briefing materials, and updates that highlight CEPR initiatives, partnerships, and impact.
• Track board-related priorities and follow-up actions, helping coordinate internal responses across CEPR leadership, faculty, and staff.

Grant Development

• Provide strategic project management support for CEPR grant development and proposal preparation.
• Assist with the preparation of grant materials, including drafting sections, assembling supporting documentation, coordinating inputs from faculty and staff, and managing proposal timelines.
• Support development of materials that communicate CEPR’s work to funders and partners, including program summaries, initiative descriptions, and impact documentation.
• Track proposal timelines, reporting requirements, and deliverables across CEPR initiatives to support effective grant management and compliance.

Project Launch and Institutional Initiative Coordination

• Support the launch and early implementation of new CEPR initiatives, research partnerships, or cross-center projects.
• Support organization of project plans, timelines, and documentation to support successful rollout of new programs or partnerships.
• Work with CEPR leadership and program staff to ensure alignment across teams and maintain visibility into key milestones and deliverables.
• Support documentation of processes, maintaining internal records, and supporting communication across stakeholders involved in major initiatives.

Please note that there is a candidate currently under consideration for this position

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3 or more years of experience.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating events, meetings, or public programs (in-person or virtual).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail, particularly in scheduling, documentation, and logistics.
• Comfort working with standard office and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom).
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and escalate questions or concerns appropriately.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Masters degree
• Experience in higher education, education research, or a related academic or policy setting.
• Experience supporting grant-funded projects or grant reporting.
• Familiarity with education research, data use, or education policy topics.
• Experience supporting board activities, executive leadership teams, or institutional initiatives.

• Appointment End Date: 1 year from date of hire
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $75,000 - $80,000 commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Credit, Certification/License, Motor Vehicle Record, Drug Test, DOT Physical, CORI, Employment, Prohibited Parties, Not Applicable
• Other Information:

  Work Style and Expectations

• Ability to coordinate across faculty, students, staff, and external partners in a professional and responsive manner.
• Commitment to advancing CEPR’s mission to improve education through rigorous research and strategic use of data.

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 056. 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

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