Network Engagement Specialist, Harvard Innovation Labs

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.

Why join Harvard Business School?

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

The Network Engagement Specialist is a key operational and strategic contributor in cultivating and activating the Harvard Innovation Labs’ network of mentors, experts, operators, partners, and investors. This role helps build a vibrant, high-impact ecosystem that connects students and alumni with the guidance, expertise, and relationships they need to advance their ventures.

The Specialist helps manage and improve the systems, processes, and stakeholder experience that make this ecosystem work—from recruiting and onboarding experts, to designing engagement pathways, to supporting seamless touchpoints between founders and the broader network. The role combines program management, relationship management, and data-informed operations.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of systems, relationships, and strategy—someone who can build structure, design strong experiences, spot patterns, solve problems, and bring a service-oriented mindset to supporting founders. The Network Engagement Specialist is a visible role that helps shape how founders access mentorship, expertise, and capital across the i-lab’s ecosystem.

The Specialist works closely with colleagues across Programs, Operations, Marketing, Alumni Engagement, and Community teams to ensure the network is aligned with organizational goals and delivers measurable value for founders.

For more information about Harvard Innovation Labs, visit innovationlabs.harvard.edu.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Network Strategy & Relationship Management

• Contribute to building, stewarding, and growing a diverse, high-quality volunteer network of mentors, experts, operators, and investors.
• Support the development and implementation of engagement frameworks that create clear pathways for involvement across different stakeholder groups and levels of experience.
• Represent the Harvard Innovation Labs to external partners in select contexts, helping cultivate relationships that create ongoing value for both the network and founders.
• Help ensure the network is aligned with founder and venture needs, program stages, and evolving strategic priorities.
• Support long-term strategic planning around ecosystem development and future network models.
• Operate with flexibility and adaptability as the i-lab’s programs and offerings evolve.

Program Design & Execution

• Design and manage programs and experiences (both virtual and in-person) that connect founders with experts, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and high satisfaction on both sides; current offerings include a mentor program, expert office hours, and curating judges for various competitions and challenges.
• Create and refine systems for expert onboarding, expectations, communications, and ongoing engagement, including managing the onboarding experience to qualify experts.
• Use feedback and data to continuously improve processes, supporting scalability, quality, and consistency across all network-related touchpoints.
• Support signature engagement moments—events, orientations, match experiences, or curated interactions—that strengthen the ecosystem.
• Identify gaps in network capabilities relative to founder needs and surface recommendations to address them.

Systems, Data, & Measurement

• Help oversee the tools and workflows used to manage the network (e.g., CRM, scheduling platforms, engagement tracking), including some partner programs such as perks and discounts. Partner with the internal technology team to define and execute system needs.
• Contribute to defining and monitoring key metrics such as participation, satisfaction, retention, and match success to evaluate network effectiveness.
• Partner with Technology and Operations to support accurate, reliable tracking of interactions and outcomes.
• Produce periodic reports and insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Conduct regular reviews of network engagement systems, identifying opportunities to streamline operations and reduce friction.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Program Leads to integrate expert and mentor engagement into founder programming and stage-based pathways.
• Partner with Marketing to support clear, consistent communication to founders, prospective volunteers, and current experts.
• Contribute to organization-wide initiatives that enhance the overall founder and expert experience.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on-site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.

This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
• 5+ years of experience in administrative support role(s) is required.
• Education beyond high school may count toward experience.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) experience is a must.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in program management, relationship management, partnerships, or operations—ideally within entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education, or venture environments. is preferred
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong program design and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Experience with volunteer management a plus.
• Ability to gather, interpret, and use data to improve systems and measure impact.
• Strong experience with CRM/scheduling tools (e.g., Salesforce, Airtable, Calendly-style platforms).
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment that values structure, adaptability, and experimentation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and balance short-term execution with longer-term thinking.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with comfort representing the i-lab to external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the startup, innovation, or venture ecosystem is preferred.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week, overtime eligible
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information:
  • This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. HBS expects all staff to be onsite a minimum of 3 days per week and departments provide onsite coverage Monday – Friday. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
  • We may conduct candidate interviews virtually (phone and/or via Zoom) and/or in-person for this role.
  • A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. 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.