Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Project Director- Innovation Hub
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
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 advances 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. Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Project Director will serve as a key member of a dedicated innovation function within the DHE, coordinating projects, tracking progress, and ensuring successful execution of innovation work. This position requires strong project management, analytical, and entrepreneurial skills with the ability to work quickly and with limited structure. This role supports systems-level and multi-institutional innovations that complement campus-based efforts and promote learner success and equity across the Commonwealth.
Please Note:
This position is funded through the DHE’s Innovation Hub Trust Fund through June 15, 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 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 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
Aims to lead by and practice the DHE Values and Behaviors and commit to ongoing learning and growth. Experience working with diverse teams and leveraging their perspectives to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrated ability to foster 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 delivering results quickly and effectively. Commitment to the core values of the DHE and Commonwealth, including closing equity gaps in postsecondary outcomes. Excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills for 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 with 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. Qualifications
Preferred Qualification:
5 to 7 years of professional experience across higher education, innovation, policy, strategy/technology consulting, and/or research and evaluation. To Apply
Interested candidates should include the following with their application: Cover letter outlining relevant experience and interest in the position. Reporting and Location
In-state hybrid work Periodic in-state and out-of-state travel may be necessary Experience & Substitutions
Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent experience in business administration, public administration, or related fields, or (B) an equivalent combination of required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant field may substitute for one year of experience. II. A Bachelor's degree may substitute for two years of experience. III. A Graduate degree may substitute for three years of experience. IV. A Doctorate degree may substitute for four years of experience. Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education related to the position per Human Resources Recruiting Guidelines. When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered a suite of employee benefits. We are committed to providing a work experience that supports you and your family. 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 protected by law. We encourage applicants who believe they have the necessary skills to thrive to apply. Official Title: Program Manager V Job Details Primary Location: Education Agency: Department of Higher Education Schedule: Full-time Shift: Day Job Posting: Sep 29, 2025 Number of Openings: 2 Salary: 85,967.20 - 115,000.00 Yearly If you have Diversity or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Ferdousi Faruque – 781-338-6108 Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE). Confidential: No. Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes.
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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 advances 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. Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Project Director will serve as a key member of a dedicated innovation function within the DHE, coordinating projects, tracking progress, and ensuring successful execution of innovation work. This position requires strong project management, analytical, and entrepreneurial skills with the ability to work quickly and with limited structure. This role supports systems-level and multi-institutional innovations that complement campus-based efforts and promote learner success and equity across the Commonwealth.
Please Note:
This position is funded through the DHE’s Innovation Hub Trust Fund through June 15, 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 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 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
Aims to lead by and practice the DHE Values and Behaviors and commit to ongoing learning and growth. Experience working with diverse teams and leveraging their perspectives to achieve positive outcomes. Demonstrated ability to foster 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 delivering results quickly and effectively. Commitment to the core values of the DHE and Commonwealth, including closing equity gaps in postsecondary outcomes. Excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills for 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 with 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. Qualifications
Preferred Qualification:
5 to 7 years of professional experience across higher education, innovation, policy, strategy/technology consulting, and/or research and evaluation. To Apply
Interested candidates should include the following with their application: Cover letter outlining relevant experience and interest in the position. Reporting and Location
In-state hybrid work Periodic in-state and out-of-state travel may be necessary Experience & Substitutions
Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent experience in business administration, public administration, or related fields, or (B) an equivalent combination of required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant field may substitute for one year of experience. II. A Bachelor's degree may substitute for two years of experience. III. A Graduate degree may substitute for three years of experience. IV. A Doctorate degree may substitute for four years of experience. Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education related to the position per Human Resources Recruiting Guidelines. When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered a suite of employee benefits. We are committed to providing a work experience that supports you and your family. 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 protected by law. We encourage applicants who believe they have the necessary skills to thrive to apply. Official Title: Program Manager V Job Details Primary Location: Education Agency: Department of Higher Education Schedule: Full-time Shift: Day Job Posting: Sep 29, 2025 Number of Openings: 2 Salary: 85,967.20 - 115,000.00 Yearly If you have Diversity or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Ferdousi Faruque – 781-338-6108 Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE). Confidential: No. Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes.
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