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

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

2d•$53,615 - $75,729•Hybrid

About The Position

The part-time Project Coordinator will serve as the operational lead for the Massachusetts Early Childhood Policy Research Collaborative, coordinating activities across partner institutions, supporting leadership decision-making, managing timelines and workflows, and ensuring consistent follow-through across initiatives. The role enables the Collaborative’s research, policy, and advocacy work to move forward efficiently and cohesively; it does not involve producing research or policy content. The position is housed at Northeastern University’s Boston campus, follows a hybrid schedule, and works closely with the Collaborative’s leadership team and partner organizations. Funding is currently scheduled to end on June 30, 2027; contingent on additional funding, the position may be extended. The role is part-time at 24 hours per week and is benefits-eligible.

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 support follow-through.
Facilitate and help manage the Early Childhood Exchange partnership with the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy and Strategies for Children, 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 operational inquiries about the Collaborative.
Support coordination with partner organizations involved in policy translation and advocacy.
Facilitate communication and handoffs between research-focused and policy-focused partners.
Help align 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-related reporting requirements as needed.
Assist leadership in tracking progress toward short- and long-term goals.