About the Opportunity JOB SUMMARY: The AI Makerspace Operations & Community Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management, operations, programming, and community engagement activities of Northeastern University's AI Makerspace. This role serves as the primary operational lead for the Makerspace, ensuring that students, faculty, staff, and external partners have access to high-quality AI learning experiences, resources, events, and support services. The Manager oversees Makerspace operations, student staffing, workshops, events, and technology resources while supporting the strategic growth of AI initiatives across the university. The position works closely with AI Teaching and Learning leadership, Information Technology Services, faculty, and external partners to ensure the AI Makerspace delivers measurable impact and an exceptional user experience. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, customer-focused, entrepreneurial, and passionate about building communities around emerging technologies. This individual should possess deep hands-on experience using a wide range of AI tools, platforms, and agent-based systems and be comfortable demonstrating, teaching, and supporting others in their use. The successful candidate will have experience exploring and designing AI-enabled workflows and helping individuals and teams leverage AI to enhance learning, productivity, creativity, and problem-solving. This individual must be comfortable managing multiple workstreams simultaneously while creating a welcoming, innovative environment for learners and partners. This position supervises 10 students and indirect supervision of faculty facilitators, workshop instructors, and industry speakers. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. 3+ years of experience in operations management, program management, innovation centers, makerspaces, technology labs, experiential learning environments, or related functions. Demonstrated experience managing complex programs and projects.

Experience

supervising student employees, graduate assistants, or professional staff. Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Experience

managing budgets, vendors, and operational resources. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Customer-service mindset with a commitment to creating exceptional user experiences.

Experience

working collaboratively across cross-functional teams. Demonstrated hands-on experience using a broad range of AI tools and platforms, including generative AI applications, agent-based systems, workflow automation tools, and AI-powered productivity technologies.

Experience

designing, building, configuring, or deploying AI-enabled workflows, agents, automations, or applications using tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Azure AI, Power Platform, or comparable platforms. Ability to evaluate emerging AI technologies and translate technical capabilities into practical applications for faculty, staff, students, and external partners. Strong understanding of AI trends, responsible AI practices, prompt engineering, agent orchestration, and the evolving role of AI in education and the workforce. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn new technology platforms and operational systems. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES: Manage AI Makerspace Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations of the AI Makerspace including facility management, technology resources, operating procedures, scheduling, vendor coordination, and service delivery. Ensure the Makerspace provides a seamless and high-quality experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Develop and Deliver Programs and Events. Coordinate workshops, office hours, speaker series, industry events, hackathons, demonstrations, and other AI-related programming. Manage event logistics, communications, participant engagement, and program assessment. Build and Support the AI Community. Recruit, train, and supervise student workers. Foster a vibrant AI learning community through outreach, engagement activities, peer support programs, and partnerships across colleges and campuses. Manage Partnership Engagement and Events. Serve as the operational liaison for industry partners. Coordinate partner-sponsored activities, certifications, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities within the AI Makerspace. Support faculty, staff, and student engagement with external organizations. Measure Performance and Support Strategic Growth. Track utilization, participation, credential attainment, engagement metrics, and operational performance. Develop reports and presentations for leadership. Identify opportunities to improve operations, expand services, and scale Center impact across the university network. Financial Measures: Responsible for management of AI Center operating budget. Tracks program expenditures, technology investments, vendor contracts, and event-related expenses. Supports annual planning, forecasting, and resource allocation activities. Monitors utilization and operational metrics to ensure effective deployment of Center resources. Position Type Research 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. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 108S Expected Hiring Range: $60,315.00 - $85,192.50 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. Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.