About the Opportunity

About The Opportunity: 

We are seeking a talented product manager to work with teams of undergraduate and graduate students trained in AI to deliver projects that enhance lives in collaboration with government agencies, nonprofit organizations and affected communities.

At AI for Impact pairs of teams of students work full time for six months to build agile generative AI solutions supported with professional coaching, supervision, and mentoring. 

Be part of this groundbreaking “product-based learning” program and help create AI for impact. To learn more about the AI for Impact program and current projects please visit our website: https://burnes.northeastern.edu/ai-for-impact-coop/. 

Role Overview:

The AI for Impact Program housed at the Burnes Center for Social Change is seeking a dynamic and experienced Product Manager to develop generative AI solutions that improve the quality and delivery of public sector services. This role involves working closely with Northeastern students, state government agencies, and other public/private sector stakeholders, and guiding the teams’ product development process from conception to release. The ideal candidate will be a bridge among the students, technical mentors, and our governmental and project partners, ensuring the delivery of innovative, user-centered solutions to complex challenges. This role reports to our Technical Director Santiago Garces and works closely with other core members of the AI for Impact team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Management: At the direction of the Technical Director, spearhead the development of generative AI applications by fostering a collaborative environment. Engage with students, technical teams, and state agencies to align project goals, timelines, and expectations.
• Mentorship & Team Development: Play a pivotal role in nurturing the talents of young and new staff members. Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to the Northeastern student teams, helping them grow professionally while contributing to the projects’ successes.
• Networking: Identify and network with other technologists and designers and invite them to help with team coaching and mentoring.
• User Research & Documentation: Conduct thorough user research to understand the needs and challenges of our state agency partners. Lead the documentation process for user needs, ensuring that all product decisions are data-driven and user-centered.
• Product Strategy & Roadmap: Develop and maintain a clear product roadmap and list of ideas for potential future solutions that teams could take on that aligns with our mission and the specific needs of our governmental and civic partners. Ensure the product vision is communicated clearly to all stakeholders.
• Iterative Product Management: Oversee the teams’ product development lifecycle, supporting the release of iterative updates and enhancements. Work closely with technical teams to ensure that the product remains agile, functional, and responsive to user feedback.
• In-Person Coaching: We encourage our student co-op team members to be in the office at least three days a week to benefit from hands-on mentoring and coaching. We are currently hosting cohorts in Boston but will, in the future, expand to other campuses.

Qualifications:
Experience: 5+ years of experience in product management in government, nonprofits, or industry, preferably with a focus on technical or AI-driven products or services.

Track Record: Demonstrated capacity to deliver products and deliverables on time. Prior experience managing, coaching, or mentoring teams, especially in an educational or developmental context, is highly desirable.

Background: Solid engineering/programming background. Passion for, or experience in, working with the public or social sectors or on civic tech.

Skills:

• Relevant technical degree (BS/BA/MS/MA in EE, CS, or equivalent) and/or 3+ years of product development/management experience preferred.
• Ability to keep up with fast changing aspects of AI.
• Strong leadership and team development skills, with an emphasis on mentoring young and new staff members.
• A commitment to the responsible use of AI for social good.
• Expertise in product management methodologies, including agile and scrum frameworks.
• Proficient in user research, documentation, and synthesizing user feedback into actionable product insights.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of working effectively with both technical teams and non-technical partners.
• A passion for public service and a commitment to leveraging technology for the betterment of residents.
• Interest in and commitment to mentoring younger product designers.

Examples of Our Work:

• Working with the Mass transit authority to create an accessible chatbot to improve paratransit services
• Collaborating with Innovate Public Schools and a network of parents on a tool to enable parents to translate, summarize and get answers about their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Supporting Mass Department of Transportation to train new engineers using AI
• Working with the Executive Office of Energy and the Environment to simplify the process of locating and applying for state grants and loans.
• Building an AI-driven knowledge tool for quick access to policy and procedural guidelines for MassHealth employees.

For more, check out https://burnes.northeastern.edu/ai-for-impact-coop/

What You Will Learn:

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a first-of-its-kind, entrepreneurial initiative, building AI for social good at scale. You will work closely with our founding team of Burnes Center Fellows, including: Santiago Garces, CIO, Boston; Beth Noveck, Professor of Experiential AI, State of New Jersey; David Fields, former Dean, College of Professional Studies, and public entrepreneur; and Henri Hammond-Paul, Burnes Fellow specializing in civic engagement and technology,  as well as a distributed network of coaches, mentors and faculty. 

Interested in Applying?

f this role sounds like it might be a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the expressed qualifications. This is a Boston-based position, with some hybrid/remote work possible. Salary commensurate with experience.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.  

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other  characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.