Project Manager, Student Engagement, Bloomberg Center for Cities

Company Description

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.

About the Bloomberg Center for Cities

The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The Center is designed to have practical impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world.

Job Description

Position Overview

Reporting to Senior Director for City Talent and Student Engagement, the Project Manager manages planning, operations, and administrative support for various student engagement activities in the Bloomberg Center for Cities. The role plays a critical coordinating function across recruitment, selection, placements, and program operations, most prominently for the Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship, and supports the continued growth of student-facing initiatives across Harvard.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

City Hall Fellows Program: Recruitment, Selection, and Placement

Manage the end-to-end administrative and operational execution of the Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship, placing up to 25 Fellows annually.

• Manage timeline, monitor progress toward milestones, and track city and student applicants.
• Maintain accurate tracking of applicants, placements, and project scopes using Salesforce and related data systems.
• Coordinate outreach to alumni cities and support city project scoping, including scheduling and documentation.
• Plan and support Harvard-wide student recruitment across multiple graduate schools, including in-person sessions and creative outreach strategies.
• Manage application systems and selection processes, including review, interviews, matching, and offers.

Fellow Onboarding, Administration, and Payments

• Issue offer letters and maintain official Fellow and city records.
• Coordinate onboarding logistics, including relocation, housing guidance, health insurance, and stipends.
• Manage tracking and communication with cities to ensure fellow placement MOUs are signed and processed.
• Monitor visa considerations in partnership with the Harvard International Office.
• Coordinate with Center’s Administration & Finance team to set up, monitor, and close out Fellow payments.

International Fellowship Pilot

Support a pilot to place Fellows in non-U.S. cities.

• Coordinate with external vendors on work permits, payroll, taxes, and benefits.
• Assess local compensation considerations and operational feasibility.
• Support evaluation of scalability for future cohorts.

Student Engagement Programming and Growth

Support the Center’s broader strategy to connect Harvard students with cities.

• Manage scheduling, logistics, and coordination for student engagement activities.
• Track and evaluate student and alumni outcomes.
• Provide operational support for additional student engagement initiatives as needed.

Operations and Continuous Improvement

• Build and maintain strong working relationships across the Center, Harvard schools, and University partners.
• Support the development of efficient administrative structures and workflows.
• Benchmark practices against peer programs and contribute to data-informed process improvements.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Social Sciences, and 4 years professional experience in program coordination, project management, or related fields

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Skill in managing multiple diverse activities simultaneously, delivering on commitments, and operating with speed, accuracy, and strong judgment.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency with customer relationship management systems, especially Salesforce.
• Proven organizational and project management ability.
• Creative problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and build structure for oneself.
• Team player with skill in building and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong customer service orientation and persistent follow-through in service of clients.
• The ability to communicate persuasively, concisely, and clearly in speech and writing.
• Entrepreneurial with an enthusiasm for doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: This is a fully benefits eligible term appointment through June 30, 2027, with the strong possibility of renewal.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This is a full-time, on-campus position based in Cambridge, MA.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types 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

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.