Program Manager

Program Manager

Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF)

Full-time | Remote in MA | Statewide Travel Required

About MSEF

MSEF supports middle and high school students engaged in independent science and engineering research. These STEM learning projects help students think critically, ask meaningful questions, and innovate around local and global challenges. Through the science fair experience, students discover the excitement of pursuing their interests and passions, developing their ideas, and showcasing their work. Through the science fair program students experience the professional practices of working scientists and engineers.

MSEF partners with schools across Massachusetts and collaborates with educators, regional fair leaders, higher education institutions, and STEM professionals. The organization provides tools and support that bring authentic, research-based learning to classrooms, grounded in inquiry and equity.

We are a small, remote-only team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and mission-driven work.

The Opportunity

The Program Manager plays a critical role in strengthening student readiness, belonging, and outcomes by ensuring that teachers and schools have the training, tools, and support they need to run successful STEM research programs. This position will:

• • Support school retention and recruitment
  • Build systems that help educators implement high-quality research projects
  • Collaborate with the Program Director on program design and priority initiatives
  • Serve as the primary lead for middle school programming across the state
  • Contribute to high school programming, statewide events, and continuous improvement across MSEF

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in K–12 education who wants to expand their impact by supporting educators and students at scale.

Key Responsibilities

Program Strength - Building high-quality educator and student support systems

• • Serve as the primary contact for middle school educators, providing training, coaching, and responsive support.
  • Develop, adapt, and maintain program materials including toolkits, templates, guidance documents, and critical communications.
  • Implement systems to track participation, trends, and support needs, using data to inform program improvements.
  • Plan and manage workshops and events for students and teachers (e.g., practice presentations, school launch events).
  • Collaborate with the Program Director on strategic priorities such as a leadership program, training and support systems for students, and student coaching.

Program Breadth - School retention, relationships, and recruitment

• • Support outreach and onboarding strategies for schools, with a special focus on middle schools
  • Build trusting relationships with educators and school leaders statewide.
  • Identify and illustrate how science fair aligns with middle school learning objectives and instructional goals.
  • Engage STEM educator networks and communities to strengthen program visibility and access.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• • Track participation, engagement, and outcomes for schools, teachers, and students.
  • Analyze trends in:
  • School retention and onboarding
  • Teacher training participation
  • Student preparedness and judge feedback
  • Develop and refine a program assessment rubric grounded in participation and impact data.
  • Use insights to recommend improvements to training, supports, systems, and program design.

Event Coordination & Support

All MSEF team members support statewide events, including:

• • Science & Engineering Fairs – both state and regional
  • Student Symposium
  • Responsibilities include logistics, volunteer coordination, communications with educators and students, and on-site event support.

What Success Looks Like

• • Year-over-year improvement in school retention
  • Increased onboarding of new middle schools, with established multi‑year plans
  • Efficient response times to middle school inquiries
  • Strong teacher training participation and engagement of teacher leaders
  • Improved student preparedness, as reflected in judge feedback
  • A clear, data-informed rubric guiding program quality and assessment

This Position Is Designed for Someone Who

• • Loves coordinating people, projects, and events
  • Thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
  • Enjoys working with students, educators, volunteers, and partners
  • Is a proactive problem solver who improves systems and processes
  • Communicates clearly and builds trust with diverse stakeholders
  • Is energized by mission-driven, collaborative work

What’s Needed to Succeed

We know not every candidate will meet every qualification. If your experience aligns with the majority of these areas, we encourage you to apply.

• • Experience supporting schools, educators, or school related programming (middle school STEM experience strongly valued)
  • Experience with program or event management
  • Familiarity with science and/or engineering concepts (professional STEM background not required)
  • Strong listening skills and excellent written communication
  • Experience supporting students historically underrepresented in STEM
  • Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and willingness to travel throughout Massachusetts
  • Ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment
  • Willingness to pitch in across tasks in a small organization
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and digital tools; comfort using databases and organizational systems

MSEF is a small non-profit with a rich history and strong links to education, industry and academia. This position will be one of 6 staff. MSEF does not have an office and operates as a remote organization. All candidates must be amenable to working remotely full time. Given local events, meetings, and relationship building, candidates must:

• Be based in Massachusetts
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Be able to travel statewide throughout the year (1-2x a month)
• Be able to support occasional evenings/weekends for fairs, trainings, and events, particularly late February-mid May.

MSEF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse, equitable, and inclusive team. We encourage applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Start date is flexible.

Partial health insurance reimbursement, and the opportunity to contribute to a retirement plan with a match (after 1 year). MSEF will provide and/or reimburse for technology needed to support a remote work environment.