Project Director- Innovation Hub

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

The Massachusetts Public Higher Education System

The Massachusetts System of Public Higher Education (“System”) enrolls approximately 260,000 students in credit-bearing programs annually. The System consists of 15 community colleges, 9 state universities, and 5 University of Massachusetts (“UMass”) campuses. The Board of Higher Education (BHE) has coordination and oversight responsibilities for the entire System, and the BH,E together with each respective Board of Trustees, expects all students, faculty, and staff to be held to exacting standards in the performance of their roles and responsibilities.

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (Board or BHE) is the Commonwealth’s higher education authority with coordinating and regulatory responsibility for all public and private higher education institutions operating in the Commonwealth that are authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by a Commissioner who serves as the executive and administrative head of the department. Together, the BHE and DHE are the leading voice and advocate for postsecondary education in the Commonwealth.

In addition, the BHE and DHE’s authority includes administering state financial aid and federal grant programs; managing and responding to consumer complaints; conducting financial assessments of institutions; managing employee relations and benefits for public higher education employees; managing collective bargaining contracts with state university and community colleges employees; and approving degree-granting authority for all public and most private higher education institutions operating within the Commonwealth. Currently, there are 80 private institutions of higher education operating in the Commonwealth and authorized to grant degrees. 

The BHE is staffed by its executive agency, the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by Commissioner Ortega. The Department of Higher Education is committed to the Values of Equity, Accountability, Community, Empowerment, Intentionality, and Teamwork, and seeks applicants who value the full diversity of Massachusetts students and who share a sensitivity to and understanding of the academic, socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of the populations served. We employ a hybrid hoteling work model with a fixed weekly team day schedule. 

Position Overview

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education seeks an entrepreneurial Project Director to join our team as a lead on innovation projects through the DHE’s Innovation Hub. This role plays a pivotal part in advancing the Department’s innovation agenda by managing key projects, fostering collaboration, and driving system-level change initiatives that enhance equity and student success across the Commonwealth’s public higher education system.

As higher education faces increasing pressures to adapt and evolve, Massachusetts is poised to lead the nation by establishing a first-of-its-kind, state-level innovation function within a public higher education agency. The Project Director will support systems-level and multi-institutional innovations that complement campus-based efforts, driving forward solutions that maximize learner success and promote equity across the Commonwealth's public higher education system.

Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Project Director will serve as a key member of a dedicated innovation function within the DHE. This role involves working in close partnership with stakeholders inside and outside of DHE to coordinate projects, track progress, and ensure the successful execution of innovation work. This position requires a strong blend of project management, analytical, and entrepreneurial skills with the ability to work quickly and nimbly with limited structure.

Please Note:

This position is funded through the DHE’s Innovation Hub Trust Fund through June 15th, 2028. Continued employment is contingent upon ongoing grant funding. 

Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions

Project Management:

·         Plan, coordinate, and execute assigned innovation projects from initiation to completion. Monitor and report on project progress, resolving issues and adjusting plans as needed.

Reporting And Data:

·         Collect, clean, analyze, and synthesize data from partners for strategic insights and internal and external reporting.

Relationship Building:

·         Develop and maintain strong working relationships with agency staff, campus partners, policymakers, and external partners to accomplish work.

Communications:

·         Support the development and execution of key innovation deliverables, including, but not limited to, strategy and facilitation decks for key partners, pitch decks, policy briefs and backgrounders, grant reports, and board presentations.

Strategic Data Analysis:

·         Collaborate with senior leadership and partners around a set of key performance indicators, leveraging public and private data to drive insight into innovation opportunities and focus areas.

Research:

·         Conduct primary and secondary research in support of the innovation agenda.

Management:

·         Train, supervise, and mentor full-time staff, interns, research assistants, and others as needed.

Competencies/Skills And Abilities

• Aspires to lead by and practice the DHE Values and Behaviors and commits to embody them through continued learning and personal growth.
• Experience working with diverse teams and leveraging their unique perspectives to achieve positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued
• Promotes a collaborative workplace climate.
• Demonstrated expertise in policy, strategy, and/or innovation, with experience in higher education, public systems, or related fields
• Results-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of getting things done quickly and well
• Commitment to the core values of the DHE and Commonwealth, including awareness of and commitment to closing equity gaps in postsecondary outcomes
• Excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively in both in-person and virtual settings
• Skilled in crafting and presenting decks, policy briefs, and reports for senior leadership
• Experience with project management and relevant research and data tools/software (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Asana)
• Familiarity and skill in accessing, cleaning, and leveraging large public and private data sets (e.g., IPEDS, NSC, Lightcast)
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholders and achieve impactful results

Preferred Qualification

5 to 7 years of professional experience working across higher education, innovation, policy, strategy/technology consulting, and/or research and evaluation.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should include the following with their application :

·         Resume

·         Cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position. 

Reporting And Location

• One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts
• In-state hybrid work
• Periodic in-state and out-of-state travel may be necessary

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Taina.Noelsaint@mass.gov  

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration, or clinical management, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

 ** Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. 

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.