Jobs

The Shorenstein Center has an exciting future and is growing. If you would like to contribute to research and programming at the intersection of media, politics and policy, please view our current openings. For student employment opportunities, click here: Research Assistant Opportunities For fellowship opportunities, click here: Fellowships

Current Openings

Conference Coordinator

Job Summary

The Documentary Film in the Public Interest Initiative is seeking an experienced Conference Coordinator to provide administrative, logistical, and creative support to the inaugural Henry Symposium on Documentary. The Coordinator will work closely with the Project Director, Project Coordinator and members of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy’s Communications and Events team. The coordinator’s main responsibilities will be to provide logistical, communications and planning support for the Henry Symposium, a two-day symposium + awards dinner taking place sometime in late April or early May 2025. The Henry Symposium will assemble between 50-75 global leaders from the documentary film sector to discuss pressing issues related to the field. Additionally, along with the symposium, the Shorenstein Center will be hosting the first Henry Awards for Public Interest Documentary which will join symposium attendees with award nominees (approximately 150 people total) to recognize and celebrate the most impactful documentary storytelling of recent years. This role will be part-time (20 hours per week) over the course of several months of planning, will ramp up to full-time (35 hours per week) for the month of April leading up to the symposium, and part-time again as wrap-up activities occur post-event. This is a fully-benefits eligible term appointment ending 9-months from date of hire, with possibility of renewal.

Position Description

Specific duties will include:

Symposium Coordination

Coordinate full planning and execution calendar for the symposium.
Coordinate hotel, accommodations and travel support management.
Communication with event guests in the lead up to the symposium.
Development of all communication related materials. Event logistics, including room rentals/bookings, catering, and tech oversight.
Acting as a day-of coordinator for in-person events.
Assisting with symposium advisory meetings.
Coordinating internal team meetings related to the symposium, including agenda and notes development.

Communications

Draft and refine communications internally to Harvard and Program staff on issues related to the symposium, and communications to attendees like Save the Date’s, Symposium travel logistics, and agendas.
Making routine updates to the Initiative’s public website and social media related to the symposium, as needed.
General administrative help for the program team (keeping team organized, tracking expenses, etc.).

Basic Qualifications

2 years’ work experience in a related role such as major event or conference planning.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Ability to be responsive and collegial in professional communications.
Experience running Zoom webinars and public meetings.
Comfort with learning new technologies, including database, room reservation, email production/delivery, and form builder systems.
Excellent organizational skills – you love checklists, spreadsheets, and follow up. Experience working with Outlook and Microsoft 365 preferred.
Interest in documentary film, news, journalism, technology, public policy, and the ways these intersect is a plus. Prior experience is not required, but a curiosity in the subject matter is.
Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Specific experience planning conferences within Harvard University preferred.

Working Conditions

This role will require in-person work for some planning meetings and logistics, and intensive on-site work in the lead-up to and days-of the convening. In-person work happens in an office setting (a combination of individual offices and desks/cubicles) one block from the main Harvard Kennedy School campus, and events are usually held on or near the HKS campus.

Additional Information

This part-time position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending 9 months from date of hire, with possibility of renewal. We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship. Harvard University requires pre-employment reference 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 health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines. Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. Salary Range: $60,503 – $95,391 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. To learn more and apply, visit the Harvard Careers posting: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?partnerid=25240&siteid=5341&PageType=searchResults&SearchType=linkquery&LinkID=3179628#jobDetails=2011309_5341