Communications Manager

Harvard University, United States

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Location: Boston, MASSACHUSETTS
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

02-Jun-2022

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

55904BR


Job Summary

The Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) is the leading organization at the forefront of planetary health, a new, rapidly growing global field and social movement focused on understanding the human health impacts of our disruption and transformation of Earth's natural systems and the solutions necessary to address these challenges. Never before has humanity's footprint on the natural world been so large or so threatening to human health and well-being. The PHA is a growing global consortium of over 270 institutions in more than 60 countries, plus 1,400+ individual members, advancing planetary health understanding by convening experts; creating, gathering, and distributing educational materials; and curating, synthesizing, and disseminating evidence to inform and activate the planetary health community and the broader society. The PHA is housed within the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The PHA seeks an experienced and motivated Communications Manager to develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy for the PHA. The Communications Manager will be adept at building and implementing impactful communications products in a fast-paced transdisciplinary environment spanning geographies and sectors, including academia, private sector, policy makers and the general public.

The Communications Manager will work closely with the PHA staff and selected advisors to develop a communications strategy and will provide communications support for all aspects of PHA’s programs. The Communications Manager will report to the Senior Program Manager.

To learn more about the Planetary Health Alliance, please visit: https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/.


Position Description

Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Lead the development and implementation of a communications strategy with input from the PHA team and selected advisors; responsible for envisioning and creating (while sourcing feedback from the team) all outreach and publicity material for PHA programs and initiatives
  • Oversee the development of updated communication formats and templates for the PHA monthly newsletter, social media engagement, reports, PowerPoints or other public speaking and informational resources
  • Collaborate with outside partners on brand identity analysis and creation, and website redevelopment strategies
  • Serve as the global point of contact for managing all public relations content and processes related to PHA initiatives; lead PHA media outreach and public relations campaigns and develop public relations and media connections with external publications and groups
  • Distill complex information into clear, easy to understand, and engaging content for a variety of internal and external audiences; determining most appropriate channels, formats and presentation styles for delivery
  • Support ongoing PHA communications efforts, including through the creation of PHA online and print materials (both written and graphic), editorial review of content produced by other PHA team members, frequent posting, engagement, and implementation of timely updates to the PHA websites, PHA Members Online Community on Hylo, social media and other channels to tell impactful stories, as well as amplify projects and publications from PHA members and partners
  • Oversee PHA Communications student intern
  • Travel occasionally (domestically and internationally, approximately ~5% of the time) to conferences and events hosted by member institutions; occasionally present at public speaking opportunities
  • Perform other duties as assigned
PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term end date of one year from date of hire, with the possibility for extension.

PLEASE NOTE:  Applicants must submit both a resume and cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed. Shortlisted candidates will also be required to submit a writing sample such as a blog post, press release, or copy from other communications and/or media-related work.

PLEASE NOTE: The primary work location for this position is Boston, MA and in order to be on Harvard payroll, you must reside in one of the following states – MA, NH, RI, ME, CT, VT, NY, or MD. We are also working primarily remotely at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until our return to campus, which is anticipated to begin in fall 2021, this interview process and position will be conducted virtually – including virtual interviews, remote onboarding, and remote work. The remote nature of this position is only temporary. Local, on-campus work will be required as a condition of continued employment once the School and this role return to an operational status that supports it. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will support flexible work schedules upon this return, subject to individual departments’ business needs.


Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
  • 3+ years of related communications experience required
  • At least a beginner's background in environmental science, planetary health, or environmentally related public health.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:

  • Experience in strategic communications and media & public relations
  • Basic understanding of planetary health concepts, as outlined on the PHA's website (or other relevant experience)
  • Project management experience
  • Familiarity with the Google Suite and Microsoft Office products
  • Previous work with international organizations to reach global audiences is a plus
  • Graphic design and video editing experience are plusses
  • Experience with Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Mailchimp, Canva, Buffer, Wix, Click-Up (for project management); basic website development and content resource management databases are plusses
  • Keen attention to detail and deadlines
  • Excellent problem-solving, organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills
  • Knowledge and/or demonstrated experience or interest in the area of global environmental change and/or public health as it relates to planetary health
The following cultural competencies are also preferred:
  • Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
  • Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity

Additional Information

Harvard University offers an outstanding benefits package including:

  • Time Off: 3-4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12+ paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.
  • Medical/Dental/Vision: Excellent and affordable medical, dental & vision plans, with coverage beginning as of an employee's start date.
  • Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.
  • Tuition Assistance & Reimbursement Programs: $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School, discounted options through participating Harvard graduate schools, and reimbursement options for accredited schools outside of Harvard.
  • Transportation: 50% discount on MBTA passes, as well as additional options (rideshare, biking, etc.) to assist employees in their daily commute.
  • Wellness & Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, hard & soft skills development, career planning, massages, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services. Additionally, access to Harvard athletic facilities, libraries, campus events -- and many discounts for various cultural and leisure activities throughout metro Boston.
Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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  • The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
  • Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
  • This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.
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The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .


Job Function

Communications


Location

USA - MA - Boston


Job Code

405004 Comm Professional (N)


Department

Environmental Health - Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk Program


Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers


Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.

Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.


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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