Job Description

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:

The HR Associate delivers hands-on operational and coordination support across core people and HR processes, communications, and programs. The role requires strong organization, comfort juggling multiple workflows and calendars, and the ability to collaborate across teams with professionalism and discretion.

The ideal candidate brings prior HR or people operations experience and can independently manage recurring HR coordination responsibilities while contributing to a positive, consistent employee experience.

What you'll do

You’ll play a central role in supporting the employee lifecycle by coordinating core HR processes, communications, and programs. This position blends organization, collaboration, and attention to detail to help deliver a seamless and engaging employee experience. Key responsibilities include:

Administration & Coordination

• Maintain accurate employee and worker records, ensuring timely updates and compliance with internal processes. Assist with updates, audits, and validation of HR data

• Schedule and coordinate internal and external meetings, trainings, and HR-related events

• Maintain and update distribution lists

• Track and manage calendars for internal communications, HR programs and cyclical processes, people leader initiatives, and learning activities

• Support on-site events and logistics (e.g., company events, team meetings, in-office interviews) at our Boston headquarters

• Coordinate and process transactions as needed (e.g., vendor invoices, travel arrangement, professional development, tuition reimbursement, etc.)

• Update and manage contact information and distribution lists in coordination with Harvard University (HU) and Harvard Business School (HBS) systems

Pre-boarding & Onboarding

• Serve as a coordination point for new hires and their managers to ensure a smooth and welcoming onboarding experience

• Support pre-boarding and onboarding activities, including scheduling, speaker management, distribution of materials and documentation, system access coordination, day-one readiness, and completing paperwork

Communications Management

• Partner with HR and communications colleagues to support internal communications (e.g., post announcements, program updates, and milestones)

• Update and maintain the employee intranet, ensuring content is accurate, timely, and easy to navigate

• Assist in drafting and distributing HR communications (e.g., all-staff messages, people leader updates)

Employee Experience & Culture Support

• Support employee events that contribute to company culture and inclusion (e.g., volunteer activities, events, award programs, community events)

• Coordinate employee acknowledgments and swag, including new hire welcomes, life events, retirements, and condolences

• Manage employee perks (e.g., complimentary subscriptions, discounts, etc.)

• Support consistency and thoughtfulness in employee touchpoints across the organization

Contingent Worker Management

• Manage hiring transactions for service providers and independent contractors, ensuring proper documentation and compliance

• Manage the onboarding process for all full-time and contingent worker hires, ensuring proper coordination with IT, HR, and managers

• Communicate with agency partners and people managers regarding contingent worker on/offboarding and extensions, escalating issues as needed

• Monitor compliance for contingent workforce, including reviewing extension requests, managing consultant agreements, tracking tenure, conducting periodic data audits

What you'll bring

• 1–3 years of experience in HR, people operations, or a related coordination or administrative role

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and calendars

• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills

• High level of discretion and comfort handling confidential information

• Demonstrates interest and aptitude in utilizing technology to enhance HR and communications processes

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

What we offer:

As a mission-driven global company, Harvard Business Publishing is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, trust, and engagement where everyone is welcome, valued, respected, and feels they belong. In addition to a competitive compensation and benefits package, we offer meaningful programs focused on career development and employee wellness, such as education reimbursement and early-release Summer Fridays!

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.

While this role is open to qualified candidates, individuals based in the Boston area will be prioritized due to onsite collaboration needs. This position follows a hybrid schedule, with an expectation to work onsite once per week on Wednesdays. The anticipated compensation range for this role is $60,000–$70,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.

Above is the annualized pay range for this position. In addition, this position includes the opportunity to earn our annual Performance Based Variable Pay Program. Actual salary will be set based upon a range of factors, including external benchmark market data, individual knowledge, skills, experience, location and internal equity.