Program and Events Coordinator

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.

The John

F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting‑edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match.

When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Program Coordinator is a key member of the Office of Student Services (OSS), providing administrative and programmatic support for the OSS team, student organizations and events, and student conferences and symposiums. They serve as the primary on‑site staff member for student and OSS events, and also seasonally as a key support for the MPA Summer Program and commencement. The position performs a wide range of duties and the ability to seamlessly transition between projects, prioritize efficiently, and manage work independently is critical.

Requires excellent attention to detail, strong communication and interpersonal skills, sound judgment, a degree of confidentiality, the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast‑paced work environment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Student Services.

• Oversee the student organization re‑registration process including tracking training completion, tracking leadership, updating EMS as needed, updating the active organizations list, reminders and follow‑ups, etc.
• Serves as the main point of contact for all regular student organization events.
• Keeps up‑to‑date on all student organization and event related policies, as well as policies of service providers that may affect student events.
• Processes student organization event finances (reimbursements, invoices, sending billing codes to HUDS/CPO/Security/Media). Ensures student organization events keep within allocated budget.
• Serves as support for student symposia logistics including providing assistance for signage, rooms, ordering of materials, staffing/organizing staffing, serving as the first round vetting of speakers with support from student workers, other support as assigned.
• Serves as support for student conference logistics including providing assistance for signage, rooms, ordering of materials, staffing/organizing staffing, serving as the Touchnet contact/expert for students, first round vetting of speakers with support from student workers, other support as assigned.

• Approves student tabling requests
• Primary contact for the Student Community Service Collaborative, including programming and event oversight
• Plan and execute OSS events, such as Halloween party and study breaks
• Quorum call oversight including working with featured organizations and staffing the event
• Additional event support for future initiatives

• Works closely with the Associate Director and Senior Director to support Commencement and related events, including financial processing of Commencement related invoices.
• Works with the MPA team to provide support for summer programming materials and logistics
• Provides seasonal project support for OSS team

• Assists with very occasional scheduling for OSS related meetings, including room bookings/zoom set up as needed.
• Performs office administrative tasks and financial transactions for the office, such as processing payments to outside vendors, processing reimbursements, and processing corporate card transactions.
• Orders office supplies and supplies for the student coffee station.
• Undertaking other operational tasks as needed.