Operations & Hub Management Specialist

About the Opportunity

Job Summary

Northeastern University is creating one of the world's most ambitious university entrepreneurship ecosystems, anchored by the 300 Mass Ave innovation hub in Boston and connected across Northeastern's global campus network. Global Entrepreneurship brings together students, founders, researchers, investors, alumni, corporate partners, and community stakeholders to create new opportunities for innovation, venture creation, and experiential learning.

Reporting directly to the Event Operations Manager, the Operations & Hub Management Specialist is a key leader responsible for the strategic growth, operational excellence, and day-to-day execution of entrepreneurship initiatives at 300 Mass Ave. This role combines entrepreneurship programming, stakeholder engagement, event operations, partnership development, and venue management to advance the university's entrepreneurial mission.

The Specialist works collaboratively across colleges, campuses, and external ecosystems to deliver entrepreneurship programs, support founders and innovators, coordinate high-profile events, manage stakeholder relationships, and ensure an exceptional experience for all users of 300 Mass Ave.

The ideal candidate brings an entrepreneurial mindset, strong operational skills, and the ability to translate ambitious ideas into measurable outcomes — while serving as a critical bridge between programming, operations, stakeholder engagement, and event management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Required
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education, event management, operations, customer service, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills.
• Excellent customer service and client management abilities.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with hands-on operational responsibilities.
• Experience coordinating meetings, programs, events, or community initiatives.
• Strong computer proficiency and experience with event management technologies.
• Working knowledge of audio/visual systems and event technology.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Flexibility to support evening, weekend, and occasional international programming as required.
• Preferred
• Experience supporting entrepreneurship centers, incubators, accelerators, venture programs, or innovation organizations.
• Startup, founder, or entrepreneurial experience.
• Experience working with investors, venture capital firms, or innovation ecosystems.
• Experience developing external partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Knowledge of experiential learning and entrepreneurship education.
• Experience supervising student employees or part-time staff.
• Personal Attributes
• The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, innovative, and solutions-oriented; passionate about supporting founders and innovators; collaborative and skilled at building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups; comfortable working independently while managing multiple priorities; professional, adaptable, and customer-focused; detail-oriented with strong follow-through; and able to lead through influence, collaboration, and service.

Key Responsibilities

• Hub Operations & Stakeholder Engagement
• Support the day-to-day operations and continued growth of 300 Mass Ave.
• Foster a welcoming, professional, and collaborative environment for entrepreneurs, students, faculty, alumni, donors, investors, corporate partners, and guests.
• Coordinate founder engagement activities and community-building initiatives.
• Support domestic and international visitors, corporate partners, investors, and senior university delegations.
• Continuously improve the user experience and operational effectiveness of the innovation hub.
• Monitor facility readiness and ensure all spaces maintain a high standard of professionalism and functionality, coordinating repairs, renovations, and enhancement projects as needed.
• Event Planning & Venue Management
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event planning, execution, and venue management within entrepreneurship-focused spaces, including 300 Mass Ave.
• Manage reservation requests, approvals, confirmations, and scheduling for entrepreneurship event spaces.
• Coordinate events annually, including entrepreneurship programs, networking events, corporate engagements, competitions, meetings, and special events.
• Consult with internal and external clients on event requirements, including room setup, catering, technology, furniture, and logistics; conduct planning meetings and facility walkthroughs with clients, vendors, and university partners.
• Serve as primary liaison between event hosts and university service providers, including Facilities, Information Technology Services, Chartwells, Public Safety, and external vendors.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures and service standards across event spaces, and recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency and customer service.
• Support contract coordination, client invoicing, payment processing, and event-related financial tracking.
• Maintain event venue marketing materials and web content to ensure accurate, current information.
• Technology & AV Support
• Oversee audio/visual and technology resources supporting entrepreneurship events and programs.
• Advise clients on appropriate technology solutions to support meeting and event objectives.
• Troubleshoot videoconferencing systems, collaboration technologies, projectors, displays, microphones, and related equipment.
• Provide on-site operational and technical support during high-profile and mission-critical events.
• Coordinate with vendors and university technology teams to maintain and upgrade equipment.
• Develop and maintain user guides, training materials, and procedures for event technology systems, and train student employees and event staff on equipment operation and troubleshooting.
• Administration, Communications & Staff Support
• Oversee front desk operations and serve as a point of contact for visitors to the Entrepreneur Hub.
• Mentor and supervise student employees, front desk staff, and event support personnel.
• Support executive communications, reports, presentations, and project updates.
• Assist with marketing, communications, social media content, and entrepreneurship impact reporting.
• Monitor program performance metrics and recommend continuous improvements.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Advancement, Global Entrepreneurship, Academic Affairs, and university leadership to achieve shared objectives.
• Maintain exceptionally high standards of customer service and professionalism when interacting with senior leaders, VIP guests, corporate executives, founders, and community partners.
• Position Type
• General Administration
• Additional Information
• Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
• Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
• All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Expected Hiring Range:

$48,610.00 - $66,838.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.