Associate Director of Communications and Editorial Strategy

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Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Associate Director of Communications and Editorial Strategy will identify and develop content for the communications channels of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) that align with School and dean's priorities, additionally assisting in the development and implementation the School's strategic goals. Key responsibilities include: writing and assigning stories that live on GSAS website and media channels and appear on central channels, including the Harvard Gazette; leadership of School-wide communications initiatives; editorial strategy; and management of freelancers. The Associate Director will strengthen engagement with constituencies across GSAS, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Harvard University, including with students, faculty, alumni, and staff, with the aim of raising GSAS's profile within the University and beyond. This position is part of a small, high-achieving team and will work closely with the Communications Manager and Digital Media Producer.

Candidate will be a creative, collaborative, experienced, analytical, organized, and energetic communications professional interested in learning and communicating ideas that span the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Content Creation

• Identify interesting, important, and relevant student and alumni stories
• Determine best channel for content: website, publications, email, social media, video, podcast and work collaboratively with a small team that includes a Communications Manager and Digital Media Producer
• Write feature-length and news stories for GSAS website and alumni magazine and work collaboratively to write, edit, and/or review content for other print and digital deliverables, including monthly e-newsletters
• Cultivate and manage freelance writers and multimedia producers

Engagement

• Participate in the development of key messages and strategies to communicate complex information to multiple audiences and constituencies using traditional, new, and emerging communications tools, with a particular focus on digital platforms
• Represent GSAS communications at meetings with University partners
• Utilize analytics and other measurement tools to assess the impact of digital media campaigns and overall marketing strategy (for website, e-newsletters, and occasionally social media).

Media Relations

• Work to place stories in University-wide communications vehicles and occasionally in external media
• Assist the Chief Communications Officer with media inquiries, as requested

Multimedia

• Produce or support production of video and podcast content
• Develop communications strategy for dissemination

Working Conditions: The position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA.  Our office currently works on a hybrid schedule, and this role requires a minimum of two days per week on-campus, including one anchor day with the team.

Physical Requirements: The Associate Director will move about campus for interviews, meetings and events.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 7 years experience in communications, marketing or public relations, digital and multi-media
• Supervisory experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Highly motivated, with superior organizational and written communication skills, including excellent editorial judgment, as well as project management, analytical, and technical skills
• Experience creating and managing content and creating and executing communications strategies in a scholarly environment preferred
• Resourceful, positive, innovative thinker, action-oriented, versatile, ability to adapt in a dynamic environment;  exercises good judgment on a range of issues, many of which are confidential in nature, and to manage complex projects through to completion.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with diverse, high-level constituencies
• Highly developed attention to detail and extended experience with self-editing and fact-checking of content.
• Experience with Microsoft products (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, social media aggregators, Drupal-based editors, email management systems including Mailchimp and other web-based collaboration tools.
• Experience with photography, podcasting, and videography desirable.

• Additional Information: A cover letter is highly encouraged at time of application.
• 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

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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 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.