Operations Specialist (Contract)

Harvard Business Publishing (HBP) – the leading destination for innovative management thinking. We reach lifelong learners to improve the practice of management in a changing world. This mission inspires each of us to unlock the leader in everyone – including you!

The opportunity

Help our clients deliver high-quality learning experiences to their leaders with speed, scale, and efficiency.

The Operations Specialist plays an important role in supporting client engagements for our leadership development solutions. In this client-focused position, you’ll support projects throughout the lifecycle, from business and learning solution development through data analytics and client fulfillment.

You’ll work in a dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative environment where you’ll take ownership of your work, partner across teams, solve problems, and build the expertise needed to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions for our clients.

What you’ll do

• Support the delivery of high-quality, scalable client solutions, taking ownership of assigned work and deliverables while collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Partner with cross-functional project teams on client engagements and internal initiatives aligned with organizational goals and priorities.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver project activities while managing priorities, dependencies, and timelines and proactively identifying potential delivery risks.
• Use relevant tools, technologies, and processes to execute work efficiently and troubleshoot issues.
• Build knowledge of HBP’s products, services, business areas, and processes to provide thoughtful support and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Adapt to evolving client needs and project priorities, using sound judgment to move work forward and escalating issues when additional expertise or support is needed.
• Maintain product and process documentation, tools, communications, enablement plans, and timelines.
• Identify and contribute ideas that improve workflows, operational processes, and the overall client experience.
• Build and share product, process, digital, and operational knowledge to support effective team delivery.

What you’ll bring

• Fluency in English and Spanish: You have strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish. Portuguese language proficiency is a strong plus.
• Relevant professional experience: You bring previous professional experience in a coordinator, operations, project support, client support, or similar role, with experience managing tasks, priorities, and deliverables.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently: You enjoy partnering with others and contributing to a team while also being comfortable taking ownership of tasks and working independently to get things done.
• Strong execution and ownership: You’re organized, dependable, and comfortable taking responsibility for your work from planning through completion. You manage competing priorities effectively and proactively identify and address potential delivery risks.
• A client- and stakeholder-focused mindset: You seek to understand the needs of internal and external stakeholders, including needs that may not be immediately obvious, and use that understanding to provide responsive, thoughtful support and recommendations.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills: You ask thoughtful questions, gather relevant information, and use your knowledge of products, processes, and systems to identify practical solutions. You know when to move work forward independently and when additional input or escalation is appropriate.
• Agility and adaptability: You’re comfortable working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment where requirements and priorities may change. You can adjust your approach while maintaining a strong focus on quality and timely delivery.
• A collaborative approach: You build effective relationships across teams, seek input, share ideas openly, and work inclusively with colleagues and stakeholders to solve problems and achieve shared goals.
• Clear and effective communication: You communicate information, recommendations, risks, and next steps clearly and appropriately for different stakeholders and situations.
• Strong product, process, and technical capability: You’re comfortable learning and using new products, processes, tools, technologies, and methodologies. You can bring together information from multiple sources to support effective delivery and decision-making.
• Curiosity and a continuous-improvement mindset: You look for better ways of working, question existing approaches constructively, and contribute ideas that improve workflows, team practices, and the client experience.
• A commitment to helping the team succeed: You share knowledge and experience, support colleagues within your areas of expertise, and contribute to an environment where the team can learn and succeed together.

You’ll stand out if you have

• Strong time-management and organizational skills.
• Experience supporting multiple projects, priorities, or stakeholders at the same time.
• A growth mindset and eagerness to learn.
• Portuguese language proficiency.

HBP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This is a hybrid, 6-month contract opportunity based in Brighton, MA, with the possibility of extension. The pay range for this position is $28–$32/hour.