Project Coordinator - Massachusetts Early Childhood Policy Research Collaborative (Part-Time)

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The part-time Project Coordinator will serve as the operational lead for the Massachusetts Early Childhood Policy Research Collaborative, coordinating work across partner institutions and supporting leadership decision-making. The role manages timelines and workflows and ensures consistent follow-through across Collaborative initiatives. It is suited to someone who is highly organized, collaborative, and comfortable working across research, policy, and advocacy contexts. The position does not produce research or policy content; instead, it enables that work to move forward efficiently and cohesively and supports the Collaborative as a durable platform for cross-sector engagement. The role is housed at Northeastern University’s Boston campus, follows a hybrid schedule, and works closely with the Collaborative’s leadership team and partner organizations. The position is part-time at 24 hours per week and is benefits-eligible. Funding is currently scheduled to end on June 30, 2027; contingent on additional funding, the position may be extended.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood, education, public policy, social sciences, or a related field.
Familiarity with higher education institutions.
At least 3–5 years of experience in project management, program coordination, or operations, preferably in research, policy, education, or nonprofit settings.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
Strong organizational, communication, and follow-up skills.
Experience working across institutions or sectors, such as academia, nonprofits, or government.
Ability to work independently in a part-time role.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Familiarity with early childhood education systems, education policy, or applied research.
Experience organizing or supporting collaboratives, coalitions, networks, or cross-organizational initiatives.
Experience working with academic researchers and policy-oriented organizations.
Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as Google Workspace, Airtable, Dropbox, Asana, Trello, or similar tools.

Responsibilities

Coordinate activities across partner institutions, including Northeastern University, Wellesley College, Boston University, and external partners.
Track timelines, deliverables, and responsibilities across multiple workstreams.
Schedule, support, and attend leadership group meetings, working group meetings, and cross-partner check-ins as appropriate.
Prepare agendas, meeting notes, and action-item summaries to ensure follow-through.
Facilitate and help manage the Early Childhood Exchange (ECX), coordinating communication, aligning timelines and roles, and supporting collaboration across research, policy, and advocacy workstreams.
Support the development and maintenance of operational systems, including shared calendars, documentation, and workflows.
Manage onboarding materials and processes for new partners, working group members, interns, and funded projects.
Serve as a central point of contact for internal and external inquiries related to Collaborative operations.
Support coordination with partner organizations involved in policy translation and advocacy.
Facilitate communication and handoffs between research-focused and policy-focused partners.
Help ensure alignment between research priorities, policy translation efforts, and advocacy timelines.
Provide logistical and project management support for Collaborative initiatives, including the annual summit and other convenings.
Coordinate timelines and follow-up related to calls for research, poster submissions, and working group outputs.
Maintain clear documentation of Collaborative activities, decisions, and progress.
Support grant-funding reporting requirements as needed.
Assist leadership in tracking progress toward short- and long-term goals.