Programs & Events Operations Manager at Harvard Hillel

The Programs & Events Operations Manager serves as the operational backbone of Harvard Hillel's Student Life team, ensuring programs and events are thoughtfully planned, financially managed, and executed with excellence. This role coordinates logistics, vendors, budgets, facilities, hospitality, and administrative systems, enabling program staff to focus on building relationships with students. The position also supports select alumni, donor, family, and board events.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate logistics for student programs, Shabbat and holiday experiences, retreats, leadership initiatives, classes, and community events.
• Manage room reservations, registrations, catering, vendors, event timelines, supplies, signage, and purchasing.
• Coordinate facilities needs including room setup, audiovisual support, building access, security, deliveries, and event readiness.
• Serve as the operational point person for assigned events, ensuring logistics run smoothly before, during, and after each event.
• Support student leaders with purchasing, reimbursements, vendor coordination, event planning, and building procedures.
• Help create exceptional experiences through thoughtful hospitality, organization, and attention to detail.
• Track program budgets and monitor event spending in partnership with Student Life and Finance.
• Process purchase requests, invoices, contracts, reimbursements, deposits, and vendor payments.
• Maintain accurate financial records and operational documentation.
• Coordinate vendor communication and ensure expenses are processed accurately and on time.
• Maintain planning tools, calendars, templates, checklists, and operational documentation.
• Improve workflows for event planning, purchasing, vendor management, and administrative processes.
• Maintain shared systems, including Monday.com, that support collaboration across departments.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen processes, and enhance the overall participant experience.
• Partner with colleagues across Student Life, Facilities, Operations, Finance, Development, and Communications to support organizational priorities.
• Contribute to a collaborative culture grounded in professionalism, hospitality, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Three or more years of experience in operations, administration, event coordination, project management, higher education, hospitality, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, purchasing, contracts, invoices, and reimbursements.
• Strong attention to detail and outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence using tools such as Monday.com, spreadsheets, and databases.
• A proactive, service-oriented approach with the ability to anticipate needs, solve problems, and build strong collaborative relationships.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits

• Salary**:** $70,000–$75,000, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, retirement, and paid time off benefits
• Professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to join a warm, collaborative, mission-driven team creating meaningful Jewish experiences for Harvard students.