Fellowship Operations Associate

Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative•Cambridge, MA

29d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cambridge Boston Alignment Initiative (CBAI) is a nonprofit research organization focused on advancing AI safety research through fellowship programs. Following a successful launch, CBAI is expanding its operations in 2026, hosting multiple fellowship cycles and doubling its team. The Fellowship Operations Associate will be responsible for the operational backbone of CBAI's fellowship programs, ensuring smooth execution of daily logistics, event planning, vendor management, and community building. This is a high-ownership, high-visibility role with a focus on execution and ensuring a positive experience for fellows, mentors, and staff.

Requirements

Natural operator with a bias toward action and ability to get things done reliably.
Ability to anticipate problems, keep multiple moving pieces organized, and follow through on commitments.
Takes ownership seriously and genuinely cares about good outcomes.
Excellent communicator, clear and direct with vendors, responsive with internal stakeholders, and proactive about potential issues.
Resourceful and creative within constraints, able to find good solutions without unnecessary spending.
Interpersonally excellent, warm, easy to work with, and good at building relationships.
Organized and conscientious, maintaining clear systems and documenting processes.
Mission-motivated and aligned with CBAI's mission.
Meaningful experience in event coordination, operations, or a similar role, ideally in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Experience managing vendors or contractors.
Takes genuine pride in making complex things run smoothly.
Brings care and creativity to the social and community dimensions of the role.
U.S. work authorization required (OPT accepted).

Nice To Haves

Previous involvement in AI safety, field-building, or research acceleration programs.
Experience in research program coordination or academic administration.
Familiarity with how research fellowships or grant programs operate.
Experience planning community or social events for professional or academic cohorts.

Responsibilities

Own daily operational logistics during active fellowship cycles, including weekday meal coordination, A/V setup for speaker events, and working with the Operations Site Manager at the Harvard Square office.
Source, book, and manage venues for fellowship events, including workshops, speaker series, poster days, and other program milestones.
Coordinate travel and accommodation for visiting speakers and mentors.
Manage vendor and contractor relationships, including sourcing new vendors, negotiating terms, and maintaining quality and reliability.
Procure and manage supplies, equipment, and other resources needed to support fellows and staff.
Anticipate operational needs across the fellowship calendar and prepare proactively.
Coordinate with the Director of Operations for accurate bookkeeping, sound budget management, and efficient program operations.
Plan and execute social events that build cohort community, such as cohort dinners, celebrations, and informal gatherings.
Coordinate with the Director of Programs to align social programming with fellowship milestones and cohort needs.
Identify creative, low-friction ways to strengthen the fellowship's social fabric across a diverse cohort.