Senior Writer

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Radcliffe Institute?

The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, known colloquially as Harvard Radcliffe Institute, is one of the world’s leading centers for interdisciplinary exploration. We bring together students, scholars, artists, and practitioners to pursue curiosity-driven research, expand human understanding, and grapple with questions that demand insight from across disciplines.

The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute's commitment to women, gender, and society. The Emerging Leaders Program is a youth leadership development program partnering local high school sophomores with Harvard undergraduates in a mentoring relationship.

The Institute’s work is shaped by its history as the former Radcliffe College—a school founded to ensure that the standard of education embodied in Harvard was accessible to women, who were then excluded from the University. But the legacy of Radcliffe College is not simply coeducation at Harvard; it is the recognition that universities will always be greater when they draw wisdom and talent from the widest possible pool.

Take a look at this video to get different staff perspectives on working at Harvard Radcliffe Institute!

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, the Senior Writer manages communications for the Dean’s Office and serves as the primary writer of the dean’s remarks. The position researches and develops a wide range of content, collaborating closely with leadership, program heads, Communications, and other departments. The Senior Writer strategically highlights HRI’s relevance, achievements, and influence while aligning communications with the institution’s priorities and initiatives.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Plans and manages assigned writing projects, ensuring successful and on-schedule execution; managing timelines and progression of deliverables.
• Conceptualizes, researches, writes, and edits a range of written content for the dean including, but not limited to, speeches, talking points, introductions, briefings, invitations, correspondence, and memos for a wide variety of external and internal audiences.
• Ensures that all decanal communications incorporate current Institute communications strategies, align with Institute objectives, and reflect the Dean's voice and style. Coordinated with staff across Institute to incorporate feedback and maintain consistent and cohesive tone and messaging in pieces with multiple contributors.
• Provides fact-checking and highly skilled copy editing to ensure that written content most effectively and accurately conveys the intended message.
• Establishes and maintains essential relationships with applicable internal and external stakeholders, gathering and effectively incorporating relevant input into assigned work.
• Maintains an archive of all written materials and shares as needed with relevant internal staff.
• Selects high-impact excerpts from written materials that can be shared through Radcliffe’s social media and other communications channels.
• Creates and distributes internal communications on behalf of the Dean’s office to keep staff informed of news, events, and achievements.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May supervise assigned staff.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities according to the Institutes / University’s management policies, procedures, and any applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include hiring and training, planning, and assigning work, conducting performance appraisals, addressing performance issues, and resolving problems.

Working Conditions:

• The work associated with this position is performed in an office environment.
• Flexibility in scheduling i.e. work after regular hours may be occasionally required, particularly during busy times of the year.

Physical Requirements:

The demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Employee must have the ability to sit at a desk for a minimum of seven hours a day and complete tasks requiring repetitive use of hands.
• Employee must have the ability to see written documents, computer screens and to adjust focus.
• Travel across the University campus will be occasionally required.
• Additional physical/mental requirements may not be listed above but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

• Four years of writing and/or copy-editing experience. Strong research skills and an ability to write quickly, clearly, persuasively, and accurately on a range of subjects related to an institution of higher education is required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• The candidate must have extremely high standards in terms of quality of work, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and absolute commitment to task completion. They must be skilled at diplomatically and successfully achieving goals in a complex environment, and able to balance multiple tasks and shifting priorities under tight deadlines at an accelerated pace when necessary.

• The successful candidate will also demonstrate an aptitude for understanding complex issues and ability to translate and simplify them for key audiences.

• High level of discretion; ability to work with and manage confidential information, and good judgment are integral to the role.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Employment
• Other Information: Harvard Radcliffe Institute requires cover letters be submitted as part of any job application in order for the application to be considered complete and in order to receive review.

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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 056. 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.