Operations Coordinator

About the Opportunity

Summary

Northeastern University's Office of City and Community Engagement (CCE) invites applications for the Operations Coordinator position. Reporting directly to the Director of Team Strategy & Special Projects, this role presents a unique opportunity for a highly motivated and organized individual to contribute significantly to CCE's dynamic work. The Operations Coordinator will be key in supporting the university's wide-ranging initiatives and coordinating community events. They will handle the setup, execution, and breakdown of various CCE events, from high-profile engagements with city officials to community-focused programs. The role also involves close collaboration with university departments and external partners, maintaining event logistics, and managing event-related permits and licensing. Flexibility for evening and weekend work and excellent customer service skills are essential.

The Operations Coordinator is a pivotal member of the CCE team, providing essential support to the broader CCE initiatives. This role demands a commitment to meticulous planning, problem-solving, and effective collaboration with both internal and external university partners to ensure the successful execution of large-scale events and collaborations. The ideal candidate will have a broad knowledge base of campus operations, courses, and programs available through the campus.

The position is primarily in person on the Boston campus. It is required that the Operations Coordinator work before and after regular hours from time to time, depending on the needs of the office.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in community relations, public relations, urban planning, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in event planning and management.
• Knowledge of and practice engaging with community partners and external groups.
• Ability to exhibit strong interpersonal skills with all levels of university constituencies and members of the public.
• Ability to take appropriate steps to promote and sustain effective working relationships within a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Strong technical skills with MS Office 365, including Excel, Word, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams, as well as Adobe Acrobat and other analytical tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail and organization.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail with robust customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and systems.
• Maintain a sense of humor and adaptability in dynamic and high-pressure situations.
• Possession of a valid driver's license may be preferred for potential future duties involving driving responsibilities.
• Experience in higher education is not needed, nor it is desired.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Event and Community Space Coordination

• Oversee and manage the set-up, run of show, and breakdown of CCE events. CCE hosts and aids a wide variety of events on campus, these events can vary from hosting high profile events with individuals such as the Mayor of Boston, the Governor of Massachusetts or other elected officials on campus to organizing access to EXP maker’s space for Boston Public school students.
• Assist with large-scale CCE initiatives, including the coordination of Boston Public Schools (BPS) graduation ceremonies at Matthews Arena.
• Ability to troubleshoot in person at community events to ensure technical issues are resolved promptly and effectively.
• Primary point of contact for community members, providing information and assistance with event and space requests. Manage event bookings, registration databases, forms, and other pertinent outputs.
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, temporary staff, or students for events.
• Ensure professional interaction with volunteers, students, parents, staff, faculty, vendors, and external entities.
• Oversee various community space requests, including meetings, receptions, dinners, speaker series, networking opportunities, and conferences.
• Maintain active event participation, including hands-on involvement, when necessary, while not primarily responsible for event planning.
• Handle heavy lifting of event supplies and equipment, with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Demonstrate exceptional customer service and a strong team focus.

University and Partner Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Director to enhance and continuously improve CCE engagements, ensuring that the university remains dedicated to serving as a good neighbor and making its resources accessible to Boston residents.
• Support the Director and other university departments and offices to secure and execute successful annual events; this includes but is not limited to working with other CCE colleagues to help secure permits and coordinate communications with city agencies for significant university events such as commencement ceremonies at Fenway Park or planning annual September 1st Move-in.
• Serve as a fully contributing member of the CCE team, representing the university professionally and enthusiastically.
• Maintain a flexible on-site workspace, being available in the office and at both internal and external events.

External Relations and Licensing

• Attend in-person city/community meetings and events.
• Work with city agencies and university partners on licensing and permitting matters.
• Support off-campus student behavior matters.
• Stay current with the university's policies, particularly regarding events involving minors on campus.
• Train others on the application of these regulations to ensure compliance.
• Possess excellent problem-solving skills to manage multiple moving projects simultaneously.

Position Type

General Administration

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.