"Temporary Summer Conference Coordinator - Graduate Assistant"

Temporary Summer Conference Coordinator - Graduate Assistant

About the Opportunity

Position dates: May 4 - August 14, 2026

• Required start date: May 4, 2026 (to complete training before May 10 opening)
• Candidates with academic commitments extending past May 1 are encouraged to discuss timing during interview

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Office of External Events & Conference Programs (EECP) seeks graduate students to serve as Summer Conference Coordinators for our comprehensive summer operations. Conference Coordinators will lead student staff teams, coordinate guest services, and manage operations across our conference, intern housing, and orientation housing programs.

This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in higher education operations beyond traditional student affairs, working at the intersection of hospitality, facilities management, client relations, and team leadership on an urban research university campus.

Each Conference Coordinator will have primary responsibility for a designated portfolio area (conference programs, intern housing, or orientation housing) while cross-training and providing support across all summer operations as needed. Some coordinators may also have building-specific assignments.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN

Professional Development

• Experience managing complex operations in a major research university settin Insight into the business and revenue-generating side of higher education
• Portfolio-building opportunities in client management, team supervision, and program coordination
• Understanding of how academic institutions function as year-round enterprises
• Collaborative partnerships with departments across campus including Facilities, Dining Services, Public Safety, Residential Life, and academic programs

Leadership & Supervision Skills

• Direct supervision of 6-10 student Conference Assistants or Orientation Housing Assistants
• Experience designing and delivering comprehensive staff training programs
• Practice creating schedules, delegating responsibilities, and providing ongoing feedback
• Development of your leadership philosophy through hands-on team management

Crisis Management & Problem-Solving

• Real-time decision-making in dynamic, fast-paced environment
• On-call rotation experience with escalated guest and facility concerns
• Collaboration with University Police Department and Public Safety
• Skills in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and guest recovery

Operational Excellence

• Understanding of facility management, room assignments, and space optimization
• Client relationship management with external conference groups
• Budget awareness through occupancy tracking and billing coordination
• Project management across multiple simultaneous programs

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise a team of 6-10 Conference Assistants or Orientation Housing Assistants
• Conduct weekly team meetings and individual check-ins with staff members
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development support
• Create staffing schedules including nightly duty coverage and guest service shifts
• Lead by example in demonstrating excellent customer service and professional standards

Program Operations & Guest Services

• Serve as primary coordinator for assigned portfolio area (conference programs, intern housing, or orientation housing)
• Manage guest room assignments with focus on efficient occupancy and client satisfaction
• Oversee check-in/check-out operations, concierge services, and guest communications
• Serve as Northeastern University liaison to external conference clients
• Submit detailed occupancy rosters for billing and reporting purposes
• Respond to guest inquiries, concerns, and service requests with professionalism and care

Training & Development

• Attend pre-training sessions with Residential Life leadership prior to program start
• Attend pre-service training for Conference Assistants
• Coordinate ongoing training and development throughout summer operations as needed
• Support student staff in applying developmental philosophy to their work

Facilities & Campus Coordination

• Collaborate with Facilities Management to ensure timely room setups and turnovers
• Coordinate with Dining Services on meal plan access and guest needs
• Partner with IT, Access Services, and other campus departments as needed
• Maintain communication with Public Safety regarding building operations and guest concerns

On-Call & Emergency Response

• Participate in professional staff on-call duty rotation
• Respond to after-hours needs including guest check-ins, access card issues, and facility concerns
• Support on-duty Conference Assistants with matters requiring professional escalation
• Cooperate with University Police Department and Public Safety in emergency situations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled graduate student (any discipline; Higher Education, Student Affairs, Hospitality Management, or Business Administration preferred)
• Demonstrated customer service skills with ability to problem-solve under pressure
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing priorities
• Capability to apply developmental and educational philosophy to practice
• Commitment to working effectively with diverse populations and cultural competency

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in one or more: student affairs, residential life, hospitality/guest services, event coordination, or team leadership
• On-call or crisis response experience
• Experience supervising student staff or peer teams
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills
• Working knowledge of: Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, SharePoint, Excel), housing management system (StarRez or similar platform), access systems (Cbord), learning management systems (Canvas), and design tools (Canva)

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

• Quickly prioritize and adapt to changing situations
• Apply developmental and educational philosophy to practice
• Work effectively with diverse populations and demonstrate cultural competency
• Maintain professional boundaries while building rapport with multiple constituencies

COMPENSATION (Total value: approximately $15,000-16,000)

• $20/hour with 35 hours a week
• University housing provided - single bedroom within a shared apartment (estimated value: $4,500) Conference Coordinators must live in provided University Housing for the duration of the summer program.
• Unlimited meal plan with dining dollars (estimated value: $2,800)
• Portfolio-building opportunities including higher education operations, client management and team leadership

SUPERVISION & SUPPORT

Conference Coordinators report directly to an Assistant Director of the department and works collaboratively with the full External Events & Conference Programs team. Regular supervision includes weekly team meetings, individual check-ins, and ongoing professional development conversations.

ABOUT EXTERNAL EVENTS & CONFERENCE PROGRAMS

The Office of External Events & Conference Programs serves as a bridge between Northeastern University and external communities, managing venue rentals, summer housing services, and conference operations. Our department functions as both a revenue generator and campus partner, handling contracts, insurance, guest services, and collaborative relationships across the university. Summer operations represent a significant component of our annual portfolio, hosting thousands of guests in conference, intern housing, and orientation programs.

Position Type
Temporary