Operations Coordinator, Harvard Innovation Labs

• Full-time
• Work Format:
  Hybrid
• Salary Grade: 055
• Department:
  Harvard Innovation Labs
• FLSA Status:
  Non-exempt

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.

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world.

Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

The Operations Coordinator is responsible for managing key elements of the daily operations of the Harvard Innovation Labs (HIL), with a primary focus on event planning and management, operational systems, facilities coordination, and community engagement. This role independently manages a diverse portfolio of events and operational initiatives while partnering closely with the Assistant Director, Events & Operations and the Senior Manager, Operations to ensure a high-quality experience for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and external partners.

Working collaboratively across the Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem, the Coordinator serves as a primary operational partner for HIL, university departments, vendors, and community stakeholders. The role requires strong judgment, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to balance multiple priorities while identifying opportunities to improve processes, strengthen operational systems, and enhance the overall participant experience. In addition to executing complex day-to-day operations, the Coordinator contributes to the continuous improvement of team practices, documentation, and workflows that support the long-term success and scalability of the Operations teams’ work across the i-lab.

The Coordinator reports to the Assistant Director, Events & Operations.

Leads the operational execution of a diverse portfolio of events, ensuring operational excellence while balancing multiple priorities and stakeholder needs.

• Independently manages the operational and logistical needs of events, from planning through execution and post-event evaluation
• Partners with program leads and the Assistant Director to translate program goals into operational plans for new or evolving events, while independently executing established programs.
• Develops event timelines, operational plans, and staffing strategies for assigned events, including workshops, community events, VIP meetings, and signature programs.
• Coordinates cross-functional logistics including facilities, catering, AV, security, registration, parking, and vendors.
• Serves as the operational lead for event execution, proactively resolving issues and ensuring a high-quality participant experience by directly leading event operations or delegating responsibilities to event staff while maintaining overall accountability for successful execution.

Maintains and improves operational systems that support efficient event planning, facilities management, team collaboration, and consistent execution across the areas of work of the Operations team.

• Develops documentation, templates, and standard operating procedures that improve consistency and scalability.
• Identifies opportunities to improve workflows and recommends process enhancements.
• Maintains accurate event records, project documentation, and operational reporting.
• Supports implementation and adoption of new operational tools and processes.

Builds and maintains productive working relationships with vendors, university departments, faculty, speakers, community partners, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful event delivery.

• Serves as the primary operational contact for assigned vendors and event partners.
• Coordinates logistics…