Senior Associate Director of Communications, Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative

25-Jan-2024

University Administration

64864BR

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Director of Communications will thoughtfully, intentionally, and authentically develop and lead, and implement a communication strategy that effectively shares and elevates the story of the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative’s (H&LS) activities. This will be achieved by skillful use of a variety of channels, including print and broadcast media, social media, digital platforms, such as YouTube, the H&LS website, and speech, as well as convenings and community events. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, Media Relations and Communications, Harvard Public Affairs and Communication (HPAC) and the Executive Director of H&LS, the Director will be a key member of the H&LS team.  

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience leading, managing, implementing, and advising on a range of communications functions, including supporting leadership on internal and external engagement with key audiences and constituencies. A successful candidate will possess a strong work ethic, be flexible and adaptive to change, and demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm for the endeavor. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic communications leader who is passionate about addressing and advancing racial equity and justice.  

Position Description

• Lead, develop, and steward the H&LS communications and engagement strategy going forward, including elevating the brand, messaging, and leadership positioning, internally and externally. 

• Cultivate support for addressing systemic inequities and justice through effective and influential communications that advance the mission of the initiative and its partners. 

• Identify priorities, tactics, and strategies that build on the communications to date, anticipating and looking ahead to priorities and opportunities for the next 6-, 12-, 18- months. 

• Collaborate with communications, public affairs and engagement colleagues across the University to identify priorities, strategies, tactics, and content needed to support engagement across Harvard’s Schools, local Cambridge and Boston communities, potential partners (HBCUs, etc.), and key stakeholders. 

• Lead the creation of a comprehensive communications strategy, which may include, but is not limited to blogs, social media, case studies, traditional media, and new formats in the evolving media landscape, establishing a reputation for information and analysis that is both credible and useful. 

• Establish a working calendar of announcements and updates to the community regarding the ongoing implementation work, and initiatives that are progressing. 

• Propose, identify, develop, and implement effective communications channels for sharing updates and announcements with the community, leveraging existing channels, such as the Harvard Gazette and School channels, as well as new or other existing channels. 

• Collaborate with, and support, HPAC on media relations and issues management strategy related to H&LS priorities and opportunities, including identifying both proactive media relations opportunities around key priorities and initiatives, as well as anticipating potential issue areas that may need to be addressed proactively or reactively. 

Content strategy and production  

• Developing content strategy, editorial priorities, and timeline, based on initiatives and priorities that are moving forward across the University related to this work. 

• Managing content production, including some hands-on writing/production, coordination, and collaboration with content producers across the University (including Gazette, HPAC creative team, other Harvard School content/creative teams, etc), and potentially identifying needs for freelance writers/producers. 

• Produce messages, briefings, and talking points, as well as recommendations related to public outreach and press strategy, for H&LS senior leadership.  

Digital, web, social strategy and execution 

• Manage the H&LS web/digital and social media strategy, including leading vendor engagement for the development of a longer-term digital/web strategy and site. 

• Establish the long-term web/digital/social strategy and implementation. 

Leadership 

• Manage H&LS communications staff, including a Communication Officer, and external consultants as needed.  

• Serve as the communications lead in engagement with communications colleagues across the University and with external partner organizations to ensure coordination around messaging, announcements, and other communications related to partnerships and implementation. 

Basic Qualifications

BA/BS is required along with at least ten years of related experience. The ideal candidate must have exceptional writing and editing skills, as well as strong interpersonal and project management skills. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Three or more years working within an academic setting, strongly preferred. 

• Communications experience in an academic setting and demonstrated comfort working with faculty preferred. Must have the ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituencies. Should possess the ability to set priorities and manage competing demands, sometimes under pressure. 

• Strong attention to detail. 

• Demonstrated professional experience and commitment to racial equity and justice.   

• Must be an experienced writer and content producer, comfortable working in a collaborative setting, able to juggle multiple projects at once and manage time to achieve deadlines  

• Research experience and/or interest in structural racism and legacies of slavery a plus, and must be intellectually curious  

• Demonstrated interest in using multimedia for storytelling 

• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office and willingness to learn additional software applications as needed. 

• Experience editing video and audio is a significant plus 

• Comfortable working in a content management system (CMS) and willing to learn new systems as needed. 

• Magazine and/or newspaper experience is preferred. 

Work 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.

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.

Job Function

Communications

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

322059 Media/Communica Sr Speclst

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.

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