Director, Communications

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Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

The Center for Public Leadership (CPL) brings together esteemed faculty, distinguished leaders in practice, inspiring students, and skilled staff to advance principled and effective public leadership. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director, Communications will contribute to the overall leadership of the Center. They will play a key role on the Center’s senior leadership team in setting CPL’s institutional priorities and overseeing their implementation, fostering a culture, structure, and resourcing to advance the success of the Center, and advancing operational excellence across the organization. 

The Director, Communications at the Center for Public Leadership (CPL) oversees the development and operationalization of the Center’s communications and marketing strategies, effectively promoting CPL’s scholarship, students, and programs. The Director plays a leading role as content strategist and marketer, helping identify and reach key stakeholders and audiences within the Harvard community (such as current students and alumni) and in the public sphere (such as leading scholars and public leaders across the government, business, and non-profit sectors). The Director is responsible for the development, production, and dissemination of digital and print content and collateral that grows CPL’s reach, promotes CPL programming, and elevates CPL scholarship. 

The successful candidate will bring a proactive and strategic mind, along with a commitment to our mission and strong team culture. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute proactive data-driven communication and marketing strategies that effectively highlight CPL’s scholarship, expand access to public leadership curricular material, and enhance the CPL brand.
• Identify CPL’s key audiences and develop targeted strategies to effectively engage them, incorporating metrics to assess and enhance the Center’s impact and outreach efforts.
• With the Faculty Director and Executive Director, develop CPL’s voice and key messaging points, conducting audience testing and revising over time.
• Help identify and prioritize new audiences, outlets, and other opportunities for delivering CPL-related communications.
• Oversee the production of all CPL-branded materials, including newsletters, social media, and digital and print materials, ensuring they accurately reflect CPL’s work and mission and effectively market CPL’s events, research, fellowships, and programs.
• Develop robust online and print content for CPL resident affiliated faculty and faculty-led programs. Advise faculty programs on effective leveraging of communications tools to identify and reach target audiences.
• Support CPL’s donor engagement efforts through creation of compelling stewardship materials that spotlight CPL’s people and programs.
• Manage CPL’s website and website content, ensuring it effectively reaches CPL’s key stakeholders.
• Serve as the operational liaison between CPL and the Office of Communications and Public Affairs (OCPA) to ensure CPL strategy and best practices align with school priorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets and journalists to enhance CPL’s visibility, proactively pitching stories and promoting the work of CPL faculty, students, alumni, and initiatives to secure media coverage and amplify the Center’s impact.
• Manage the process of producing CPL-branded items and swag, ensuring compliance with school and university trademark guidelines.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, including managing to budget.
• Directly manage staff, providing leadership, support, and guidance.
• Performs other responsibilities and serves in additional capacities as needed.
• Some work on nights and weekends required.

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Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience in the fields of communications, public relations, and/or marketing.
• Supervisory or team lead experience.
• Note: Complete applications must include a resume, cover letter and writing sample.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated marketing experience, including effectively identifying and reaching target audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills and the ability to translate complex issues and topics into readable, compelling content.
• Proven story-telling ability across multiple platforms.
• Experience with proposal writing, including grants.
• Experience building strong strategies, operations, and systems.
• Experience devising marketing and sales strategies based on market and audience data and analysis, using multiple channels/strategies for reaching target audiences (preferably in higher education).
• Sophisticated interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated skill in strategic planning, agenda setting, and aligning resources with priorities.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and CMS platforms.
• Understanding of SEO and SERP strongly preferred

• Appointment End Date: This is a fully benefits eligible term appointment, ending one year from date of hire, with the strong possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  • Note: Complete applications must include a resume, cover letter and writing sample.
  • This position is based on campus in Cambridge, MA, with the possibility of some flexible work arrangements.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.