Job Information
Boston University RESEARCH, INNOVATION, AND POLICY ASSISTANT, Office of the President in BOSTON, Massachusetts
Boston University seeks a highly motivated Research, Innovation, and Policy Assistant to join the Office of the President. This support role is responsible for conducting comprehensive research, analyzing policies, and delivering strategic insights related to key university initiatives as part of a larger strategy and innovation team.
Responsibilities include researching policies, trends, and challenges within both the university environment and the broader societal landscape, with a focus on informing critical decision-making processes through research and actionable recommendations. This position also supports project management for various institutional initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
Research and Policy Support.
Conduct comprehensive research on various topics relevant to the university's strategic initiatives, including but not limited to education trends, policy analysis, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape assessment.
Evaluate existing policies or proposed policy changes to assess their effectiveness, potential impact, and alignment with the university's goals and values.
Synthesize research findings into actionable insights and recommendations to inform strategic decision-making processes.
Stay informed about current developments in higher education, innovation, and related fields to identify opportunities for the university.
Project Management:
Assist in the planning, execution, and monitoring of strategic projects and initiatives within the Office of the President.
Coordinate project activities, timelines, and deliverables across multiple stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.
Track project progress, identify potential risks or obstacles, and propose solutions to mitigate them.
Serve as a liaison between the Office of the President and other university departments or external partners involved in strategic projects, ensuring alignment of goals, objectives, and timelines.
Develop and implement short term projects and initiatives in support of the Presidents strategy.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Develop and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders both within and outside the university community.
Consult faculty, staff, students, and external partners to gather insights, feedback, and perspectives on strategic initiatives.
Organize and facilitate meetings, focus groups, and interviews to solicit input and foster collaboration.
Ensure effective communication and dissemination of research findings and strategic recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
Other Duties as Assigned
Required Skills
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business administration, economics, public policy, or related disciplines. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience: 1-2 years of experience in a research, policy, or strategy-related role, preferably in a higher education or research environment.
Preferred Competencies:
Strong research and analytical skills.
Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex information into clear and concise summaries, memos, charts, and presentations.
Outstanding interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Strategic mindset and ability to synthesize insights from various sources.
Proactive and self-motivated attitude, with a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development. -Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Passion for higher education and a commitment to advancing the mission and values of Boston University.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor .
Required Experience