Project Coordinator, Defense Project
Job Summary
The Project Coordinator reports to the Director of the Defense Project. The Project Coordinator is a crucial part of the team and is actively involved in all aspects of strategic programing for the Belfer Center’s Defense Project.
The successful candidate will manage daily operations, programming, administrative support, and communications for the Belfer Center’s Defense Project. Primary responsibilities include developing and maintaining partnerships, planning and executing events and programing, administering a significant annual operating budget, and providing administrative support for the Project.
Position Description
The Project Coordinator ensures program success through regular engagement with internal and external stakeholders including Harvard staff, students, fellows and faculty as well as senior executives from the U.S. and international intelligence and defense communities. The Project Coordinator drafts and prepares correspondence, handles communications, and develops working relationships with key stakeholders. The Project Coordinator identifies areas of partnership and initiates cross-collaboration with other Projects/programs at the Belfer Center and with other Centers within HKS and the wider Harvard network.
The Project Coordinator organizes and executes high-level events and meetings aimed at advancing understanding of defense and security issues, including conferences, senior stakeholder visits, study groups with Harvard students, and public and private talks with senior experts and officials.
They are directly responsible for handling all expensing and budgeting, event promotion and advertising, communications, budget projections, coordination, and all travel arrangements including hotel, flights, and reimbursements. They also play a direct advisory role to the Director in considering themes and speakers for events.
The Project Coordinator manages the National Security Fellowship for U.S. military officers at the Lt Col/Colonel rank and their civilian counterparts who come to the Belfer Center for 10 months of research, study, and professional development. They work with the Project Director to develop and execute annual fellowship objectives through strategic programming, professional development initiatives, fostering group cohesion, coordinating travel, and facilitating engagement with senior executives from the government and private sector. They are is responsible for fellows’ administrative on-boarding, welcome orientation, and assisting fellows with the course registration process.
The Project Coordinator will implement and administer office procedures and policies, manage telephone and email communication, compose and edit correspondence, manage Outlook calendars, schedule meetings and events, maintain the Project website and social media platforms, make travel arrangements, maintain financial, personnel, and administrative records to assure compliance with University requirements and/or government regulations, and process payments and reimbursements.
Successful candidates need not have a background in defense/national security, but an interest in these issues is highly desirable.
Basic Qualifications
- At least 1 year of related experience in program or project coordination/management
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Very high-level attention to detail, particularly in written communication
- Proficient in advanced functions of Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent customer service skills
- Strong oral and written communications and mature and sophisticated composure
- Professional demeanor
- Demonstrated time management skills and ability to effectively and proactively handle multiple high-priority tasks with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to work across teams and with a variety of projects and constituencies
- Ability to forge collaborative working relationships with senior faculty and government officials
- Demonstrated experience or interest in national security issues
- BA/BS in related field not required, but a plus
Additional Information
This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment through September 30, 2023 with very strong possibility of renewal.
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.
The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage
Salary Range: $54,340- $85,675
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
Harvard offers a generous benefits package including:
- Time Off: 3- 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 11.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
- Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans, all coverage begins as of your start date.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
- Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
- Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.
- Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.
Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.