Career Readiness Lead, Pathway Programs

Who Are We?

About LabCentral

Founded in the heart of Kendall Square in 2013, LabCentral is a network of shared laboratory spaces and scientific communities that serve as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences and biotech start-ups. We deliver first-class facility and operational support, skilled laboratory personnel, and an expansive events program designed to add value to the community and promote connectivity‒ as well as the other critical services and support that early-stage companies need to begin start-up operations.   

What Is This Role?

Are you passionate about workforce development and do you get excited at the prospect of helping individuals navigate career potential within the life sciences?

LabCentral is hiring a Career Readiness Lead reporting directly to the Director, Educational Programming. You will be responsible for supporting program participants throughout their workforce development journey while helping deliver career readiness programming across LabCentral's Biotech Pathway Programs (read more here).

This position serves as a key point of contact for program participants and plays a hands-on role in coaching, workshop facilitation, program coordination, employer engagement, and participant success. The Career Readiness Lead works closely with program staff, industry partners, mentors, and employers to ensure participants are prepared for potential opportunities in biotechnology.

What Will I Do?

Responsibilities:

Career Readiness Programming

Engender an inclusive, engaging learning environment
Facilitate and deliver engaging and effective career readiness workshops covering professional communication, teamwork and collaboration, workplace professionalism, networking and personal branding, resume building, interview preparation, and career exploration within biotechnology

Biotech Industry Exposure & Employer Engagement

Support existing and build new relationships with biotechnology employers, workforce partners, and community organizations
Coordinate employer participation in panels, networking sessions, site visits, career fairs, and mock interviews
Assist participants in understanding biotechnology career pathways and industry expectations
Help identify internship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities aligned with participant interests
Serve as a liaison between participants and employer partners when appropriate

Program Operations

Coordinate logistics (such as ordering lunch, reserving rooms, facilitating sign-ins to building) for workshops, industry events, mentoring activities, and career readiness programs
Support participant recruitment, onboarding, engagement, and retention activities
Create presentations, handouts, newsletters, and program materials
Ensure a positive participant experience throughout the program lifecycle

Data Tracking & Reporting

Track data, including program participation, participant feedback, workforce placement, and other relevant information
Support reporting requirements for grants, workforce development initiatives, and program evaluation
Assist with creating reports, dashboards, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders

What Do I Bring?

Desired Qualifications and technical skills

Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Education, Workforce Development, Life Sciences, Human Resources, Communications, Public Health, Business, or equivalent experience.
2-3 years of experience supporting internship, apprenticeship, or career readiness programs. Ideally working with students, early-career professionals, or populations underrepresented in biotech.
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated organizational and project coordination abilities, with a strong attention to detail and follow through.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration tools.
Familiarity with biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, or STEM workforce pathways.
Experience collecting and tracking program data or supporting grant-funded initiatives.

Desired Competencies and behaviors

Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with a coaching and mentoring mindset
Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Commitment to participant success and workforce equity.
Passion for advancing access, equity, and inclusion within STEM and biotechnology careers.

Work environment:   

Fully onsite during regular business hours, with flexibility to work evenings and, rarely, weekends around the events calendar.
Ability to travel locally.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods, move around an office and lab environment, and communicate information and ideas so others will understand 
Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 25 pounds

What do we offer?   

Benefits:  

Fully Covered Medical and Dental Premiums: We have you and your dependents covered, including deductible costs.

Long and Short-Term Disability & Life Insurance: Life can be unexpected; we’ve got your back.

Flexible Vacation: Enjoy the flexibility to take the time you need.

Three Months Fully Paid Parental Leave: We’ll help support you during life's important moments.

401K Match Up to 6% with Immediate Vestment: Know your future is secure with our 401K match.

Transportation Reimbursements: We'll cover commuting costs for a parking pass, MBTA, or bike to help ease your commute.

Health & Wellness: Relax and enjoy reimbursements for fitness, yoga, massage therapy, and other holistic health practices.

Technology Stipend: To ensure you stay connected, we offer a monthly cell phone stipend as well as yearly reimbursements for cell phone repairs.

Professional Growth: We offer a stipend for continuing education and training to invest in your career growth, and we help ease the burden of student loans by providing reimbursement.

Fantastic Work Environment: Be inspired by colleagues and residents, and work in vibrant spaces that are stocked with a variety of snacks. Plus, we offer in-house programming on thought-provoking and diverse topics!

Compensation  

Our compensation philosophy is intentional and researched to align with average market salaries; comprehensive, generous benefits to support overall well-being; and parity with our existing and future team members. Below details the value of what our compensation package may look like, but specific details pertaining to an individual will vary.     

Salary range: $57k-74k along with the potential to earn a bonus of 8% based on company performance. 

Approximate monetary value of benefits (based off an individual – dependents increase value): $24,000.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

LabCentral is committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the city around us. We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any other human expressions and experiences not mentioned here are equally welcome. If you require an accommodation, please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 

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