Senior Activities Coordinator (Pre-College Program)

2026 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Senior Activities Coordinator (AC) Position Description
Information for Applicants
Harvard Summer School (HSS) seeks one Senior Activities Coordinator for the Pre-College Activities Office to plan programming, assist in the selection of Pre-College Activities staff during the spring semester, and manage the Pre-College Activities Office throughout the summer.
Each year, the Pre-College Program within Harvard Summer School hires four Activities Coordinators (ACs) to manage and create the signature Passport program and staff the Pre-College Activities Office. The Senior Activities Coordinator is responsible for supervising the work of all Pre-College ACs and overseeing the Pre-College Activities Office.
The office staff plans an extensive series of events under the Pre-College Passport and manages the logistics of academic field trips. These include guest lectures, social events, campus visits to local universities, and trips to popular destinations throughout New England.
The Harvard Pre-College Program is a rigorous and enriching holistic summer experience designed for talented high school students. The program offers three non-credit, two-week sessions where students take courses taught by Harvard-affiliated faculty. In addition to college-level coursework, students participate in the Pre-College Passport, a program designed to provide a well-rounded experience by encouraging participation in two activities in each of the following categories: academic exploration, college readiness, residential activities, and trips and recreation.
Job Description (Please see the full job description and all job-related details on our website)
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Residential Life, the Pre-College Senior Activities Coordinator (AC) will gain valuable leadership and student affairs experience. The Senior AC will help plan an engaging in-person student experience for the upcoming summer session and work with the Pre-College and Student Activities Office staff to provide oversight and guidance for programming.
The Senior AC will assist with program planning, hiring processes, event logistics for the 2026 summer session, organization of event and training materials, and management of the Pre-College Activities Office.
Upon acceptance of this position, the Senior AC is expected to complete pre-assigned work and attend online meetings and training sessions. The Senior AC is required to arrive on campus by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, and remain in residence until mid-afternoon on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
 

Responsibilities
Spring (Remote)
Collaborate with the Assistant Director to define the program’s vision and strategy for the upcoming session.
Assist with the recruitment and hiring process for Activities Coordinators, including managing applications.
Support event planning and logistics for the 2026 summer session.
Coordinate with Harvard Summer School partners to secure event tickets.
Manage and maintain program information on the Blackthorn platform (event management tool), ensuring all details are accurate and prepared for the summer session.
Contribute to the planning and development of training for Activities Coordinators.
Attend weekly one-on-one meetings with your supervisor to review progress and receive guidance.
Take on additional responsibilities as assigned.
 

Summer (In-Person)
Supervise, train, and evaluate the Pre-College Activities Coordinators, ensuring they are equipped to perform their roles effectively.
Participate in an on-call rotation to address any program- or event-related concerns.
Co-lead weekly staff meetings with the Student Activities Office Senior Activities Coordinator to ensure effective communication and progress.
Oversee the use and management of Blackthorn, troubleshooting any issues that arise.
Assist with check-in, orientation, and check-out, which take place on three Fridays and Sundays.
Manage communications with Pre-College students using Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Blackthorn.
Coordinate with your supervisor and the Associate Director of the Pre-College Program to collect Proctor feedback.
Foster and maintain a positive, inclusive, and productive office culture that thrives in the fast-paced Harvard Summer School environment.
Attend weekly one-on-one meetings with your supervisor to review progress and adjust priorities as needed.
Take on additional responsibilities as assigned.
 

Commitment
Dates in Residence: ACs must be in residence by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, and remain in residence until mid-afternoon on Saturday, August 1, 2026, including all nights and weekends.
All-Staff Orientation: Please mark your calendars for this mandatory pre-summer orientation taking place on Friday, June 6, 2026, 10:30am-12:00pm.
Outside Commitments: Pre-College ACs may not hold another job during the summer term.
 

Orientation and Training:
Spring session: Virtual meetings beginning in February.
 

Qualifications
Open to recent college graduates and graduate students with a demonstrated interest in student engagement. Applicants with relevant leadership experience supporting an ethnically and culturally diverse population of high school students are strongly preferred.
We seek candidates with:
Interpersonal and communication skills: Must be customer-service oriented with a dedication to providing a high-quality academic and co-curricular support experience for Pre-College students.
Flexibility: Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and identify creative solutions to problems.
Organization and time management: Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously, with excellent attention to detail and strong time-management skills in a fast-paced environment.
Technical skills: Proficiency with Google Suite (Drive, Sheets, Forms), Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint), Qualtrics, and Zoom. Experience with OpenScholar website platform and media creation tools (Adobe Spark, Canva) is a plus.
Note: As a condition of employment, all Activities staff must provide immunization records and complete Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background checks. The Senior Activities Coordinator must also complete several online training modules before assuming duties, including modules on Title IX policy, the safety and protection of minors, mental health, non-discrimination, and anti-bullying policy.
 

Compensation
February–May 2026:
$18/hour, 10–14 hours per week
June–August 2026:
$7,000 stipend
Room and board for the full summer term
 

Application

Priority Deadline: Submit an application online via the Harvard Summer School SAO Jobs application form by Monday, January 12, 2026. Applications received after the priority deadline may be considered on an as-needed basis.

Materials: Prepare a brief résumé and cover letter describing relevant education and experience.

Interviews: Selected candidates will be interviewed in January and February.