Job Information
Harvard University Assistant Director, Communicat in Cambridge, Massachusetts
65986BRAuto req ID:65986BRJob Code:CM1057 Communications Management II Department Office Location:USA - MA - Cambridge Business Title:Assistant Director, CommunicationsSub-Unit:------------ Salary Grade (https://hr.harvard.edu/salary-ranges#ranges) :057Time Status:Full-time Union:00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 6 years of relevant communications work experience, demonstrating increasing responsibility. Additional Qualifications and Skills: If you have some but not all of the following, we encourage you to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.
Proactive approach to all elements of the work, bringing both enthusiasm and intention.
Orientation toward collegiality and customer service; working collaboratively across a variety of projects and constituencies is core to this role.
Demonstrated interest in the politics, institutions, or practices of multi-ethnic and multi-racial democracy and self-government.
Experience managing media relations tools, social media applications, CMS for editing website content, and integrated digital media marketing calendar.
Demonstrated ability to manage large and multi-segmented email lists using Salesforce or other commercial CRM/email system.
Excellent writing and editing skills; ability to maintain attention to detail under tight deadlines
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, to navigate large institutions, and handle difficult situations with a high level of professionalism.
Ability to listen carefully as well as to influence others.
Additional Information: The interview and selection process is likely to require a writing sample and writing exercise.
This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with possibility of renewal.
Learn more about our work culture (https://www.hks.harvard.edu/more/about/leadership-administration/human-resources) and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Salary Range: $74,200 - $126,200
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
Department:Ash CenterPre-Employment Screening:Education, IdentityJob Function:Communications Position Description: Center-wide Duties
Work with Communications Coordinator to deliver a variety of communications products, including web properties, email newsletters, social media, print collateral, and internal reporting and communications.
Liaise with the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and Harvard University communications offices to capitalize on available resources and to ensure compliance across the Center with use of name/intellectual property questions and other relevant policies.
Faculty and Program Impact
Engage with the Center’s scholars to help develop communication and dissemination plans that ensure new work reaches key audiences in relevant academic disciplines, professional discourse, and among key stakeholders on campus and beyond.
Guide faculty and program staff on communicating the core ideas and relevance of their work, especially through top-tier and topic-relevant mainstream and specialty media outlets.
Provide technical consultation to faculty and program staff in developing related content and multimedia deliverables in support of new research.
Digital Platforms
Work with the Communications Coordinator to ensure creative digital campaigns across web, social media, and email channels to disseminate new research, commentary, and events.
Oversee analytics, maintenance, and improvements of digital platforms, including the website, email marketing, and social media alongside the Communications Coordinator.
Work with colleagues to leverage Salesforce, enabling the best possible email marketing and tools for faculty and program staff to grow their target audiences.
Media and Public Relations
Serve as an authoritative consultant to Center leadership on issues of brand strategy, amplifying reach, public relations, and managing reputational risk.
Make connections between faculty and influential journalists and commentators, public intellectuals, and other leading scholars to increase the impact of their research.
Hold PIO responsibilities on behalf of the Center and its faculty and flagship programs, interacting regularly with HKS, Harvard, and other communications peers.
Team Leadership
Supervise one full-time Communications Coordinator, several part-time staff, students, and other contributors, fostering a productive, inclusive, and engaged team and supporting members’ individual professional growth.
Manage relationships with outside vendors including working with the appropriate Ash Center colleagues on contracts and other administrative requirements as needed.
School/Unit:Harvard Kennedy School EEO Statement:We are 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.Job Summary: The Assistant Director of Communications is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day work of the Ash Center’s communications team and providing expert guidance for faculty’s outreach and dissemination activities. Candidates must demonstrate breadth of hands-on communications experience, commitment to improving democratic institutions and practices, and disposition to approach their work with enthusiasm and collegiality. The Ash Center is a global and values-driven community that believes diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. In fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity, we value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Assistant Director of Communications is instrumental to ensuring that the Ash Center’s research and programming reach key decision makers across academia, policy, and practice. Through this work, the Assistant Director of Communications fortifies the Center’s brand as Harvard’s home for studying, generating ideas, and debating how to advance multi-ethnic and multi-racial democracy and self-government, spanning democracy reform, Indigenous governance, election administration, anti-racism, pro-democracy movements, and several other disciplines and fields. The Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia, Harvard’s hub for Asia public policy, is also housed within the Ash Center. Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Harvard Kennedy School’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism
At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.
Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism. (https://www.hks.harvard.edu/more/about/diversity-equity-and-antiracism)
Benefits:We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format:Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote) LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only):#LI-DS1Work Format Details:This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.About Us: About the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
Mission: The mission of the Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation is to develop ideas and foster practices for equal and inclusive, multi-racial and multi-ethnic democracy and self-government.
Values: The Ash Center believes that diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. As a global community that brings together students, faculty, staff, and fellows, with practitioners and policymakers from around the world, we focus on advancing excellence in democracy and self-government. We are committed to fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity. As a Center, we therefore value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We continue to strive for excellence while creating an equitable and inclusive community for all.
Please visit our website to learn about our history, programs and initiatives, and more: https://ash.harvard.edu/.
Annual Salary Range:$74,200 - $126,200