AI Makerspace Operations & Community Manager

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,