Job Description

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 Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one 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.

Job Description

The Director of Communications for the Taubman Center for State and Local Government will work closely with the Center’s Director, Executive Director, and affiliated faculty, fellows, and staff to develop and implement a communications strategy for the center. The goal of this effort is to increase the impact of the center by spreading the ideas and solutions being developed within the center to more state and local government officials and more state and local opinion leaders. This also includes the direct engagement and support of HKS students and alumni.

About the Center
The Taubman Center’s mission is to support current and future public sector leaders in improving the governance of states, counties, and cities through research, teaching, programs, and convenings.The Taubman Center and its affiliates, including the Government Performance Lab (GPL) and the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, is generating solutions to pressing state and local government challenges through academic research, hands-on projects with governments, and convenings that bring together policy makers and thought leaders to engage with faculty, staff, and students.

Key responsibilities for the Director of Communications will include:

1. Engage target audiences – Working with Taubman Center faculty, fellows, staff, and alumni,develop and implement strategies to engage and disseminate information to state and local government policy makers and practitioners, thought leaders, conveners, HKS students and alumni.
2. Create content – collaborate with others in the center to produce and package content ranging from long-form policy briefs to tweets. Depending on the project, this may involve drafting original content (e.g., project features, technical guides, policy briefs), synthesizing and editing content being created by other Taubman, GPL, and Rappaport team members, or producing derivative content (e.g., blog or social media post from a project feature). This may include the selection and management of external contract writers and copy editors.
3. Develop and utilize digital platforms and tools to reach key audiences – enhance and maintain the Taubman Center, GPL, and Rappaport Institute web sites, social media channels, e-newsletters,videos, and other digital communications. Lead the development of an HKS-wide state & local government website and e-newsletter as a resource to policy makers and practitioners.
4. Implement and sustain successful PR strategy – proactively engage key media and influencers to position our affiliated faculty, fellows, and staff as topical expert resources to them, and to promote ideas, research, and work being done at the Taubman Center, GPL, and Rappaport Institute. This will also include securing earned media, writing and disseminating press releases, and preparing a crisis management plan.
5. Manage communications infrastructure and protocols – enhance and oversee the utilization of a CRM platform, digital asset library (e.g., photos, videos, logos), content library (e.g., publications,research pieces, cases), news coverage alerts, brand guidelines, and a portfolio of marketing materials (e.g., digital and print materials, email marketing templates, event promotion materials,presentation templates, current and prospective donor materials, etc.).

Qualifications

Basic

Qualifications

: Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 6 years related work experience in communications, marketing, media relations, or a related field.

Additional

Qualifications

and Skills:

• The best candidates for the Director of Communications role will have both the ability to develop a holistic communications strategy and the capacity and willingness to roll up their shirtsleeves to do the necessary implementation.
• Excellent writing, synthesis, and editing skills and the ability to consistently and independently produce strong work product with only light-touch guidance.
• Proven ability to manage projects, establish priorities among multiple simultaneous deadlines,and sustain timely responsiveness to inquiries and requests.
• A passion for public service, supporting public servants, and being a resource for the next generation of public leaders.
• Experience developing and implementing communication plans, including the ability to shape and leverage digital communications channels (including websites and social media), produce press releases, and design and produce other digital and print marketing materials.
• Proven success engaging and getting coverage from media and influencers.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
• Keen attention to detail and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven record of working collaboratively with a wide range of constituents. Must be able to work independently and as part of a larger team balancing the interests and needs of a variety of stakeholders in a highly decentralized environment.
• Disposition and eagerness to be creative and contribute good humor to the work and team.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Education,Identity
• Other Information: This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with possibility of renewal.

  Please also submit relevant writing samples. Later stages of the interview process will include writing exercises.

  Learn more about our work culture and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.
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Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. 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. 

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, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, 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. 

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Live in,

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