Project Specialist

10-Jan-2022

Alumni Affairs and Development

56630BR

Job Summary

This position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic this position will be remote until further notice.

Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) comprises the University Development Office (UDO), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, AA&D Resources, and the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA). There is a unique relationship between the University and the FAS fundraising operations, resulting from a long history in which University fundraising ultimately grew out of College fundraising.

AA&D Resources:
AA&D Resources encompasses teams that support all units across AA&D plus all schools and units across the University. AA&D Resources includes Technology and Support Services, Business Process and Operations, Alumni and Development Services (ADS), Administration and Finance, Events, Communications Creative Services, Research and Prospect Management, Human Resources, and the AA&D Talent Program.

Summary:
Alumni Affairs and Development’s Creative Services department is seeking a highly motivated Project Specialist to help join the Project Management team. We are looking for a candidate who understands the creative services environment and the role of project/account management—someone who can jump right in to our fast-paced, full-service, and highly collaborative team. This is an opportunity to grow and develop in a hard-working and supportive department at the cutting edge of higher education communications. 

If you are a self-starter with the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of personality types and position levels, have experience managing projects on your own, a positive, can-do attitude, and proven experience with content management systems, digital tools, event planning, and media channels, we would like to meet you. You will need to be extremely organized, efficient, and adept at prioritizing a wide variety of projects while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and quality under deadline pressure.

This position reports to the Managing Director of Project Management, Creative Services and will provide project support to the Assistant Directors of Project Management on print, digital, multimedia, and event marketing communications from start to finish, in addition to managing your own portfolio of work.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Overall:

• Manage projects with mid-level stakeholders through all phases of the project cycle.  
• Support Managing Director and Assistant Directors on high-level, strategic projects with multiple deliverables, flexing between tasks as needed.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams—digital, content, design, multimedia, and production—to manage and assist with projects from kickoff through execution.
• Prepare meeting agendas, meeting recaps, and project overviews.
• Create, maintain, and monitor project schedules in Workfront, our project management system, to continually ensure project timelines are met and milestones are completed.
• Attend project kickoff meetings and provide notes with clear, actionable items.
• Problem-solve timeline and process challenges with partners and provide solutions, considering where resources are available and most needed.
• Balance and prioritize multiple projects, deadlines, and partners simultaneously.
• Manage the email communications process through content development, building, testing, deployment, and performance analysis for email newsletters, event campaigns, and stewardship websites.
• Attend meetings within AA&D and other units as needed.
• Maintain a solid understanding of philanthropy and alumni engagement in general and Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development in particular.

• Combine technical knowledge with an understanding of communications principles to inform strategies/tactics for displaying and sharing content across digital channels.
• Apply knowledge of HTML email marketing tools (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud) to assist with testing of email deliverables like newsletters and event invitations.
• Must have excellent computer skills (both PC and Mac) with proficiencies in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools.
• Solid proficiency of Certain, Drupal, HTML, and other WYSIWYG-based content management systems (e.g. Wordpress or Squarespace).

Basic Qualifications

• Must have at least three years of agency, creative services/marketing, or transferable project coordination experience.
• Proficient use of Workfront project management system or familiarity with comparable programs (e.g. Asana, Trello).
• Working knowledge and comfortability with using content management systems to update websites and build registration pages.
• Excellent organization and communication skills.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Graduate of accredited four-year college; a degree in Marketing, Communications, English, Business/Management is preferred. 
• Energetic team player with an ability to perform effectively in a complex organizational environment of Harvard University.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under pressure as well as understand and follow workflow procedures.
• Reliable, flexible, with a sense of humor.
• Willingness to constantly and proactively acquire new skills based on changing technologies.
• Attention to detail and sense of urgency.
• Experience working with a creative team (writers, copyeditors, designers, print production).

Additional Information

This position requires a 3 month orientation and review period.
Please include a cover letter with your application.

About Harvard University
Harvard University, based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, was established in 1636 and is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The University is home to over 20,000 students and employs 18,000 people, making us the fifth-largest employer in Massachusetts. Harvard is a special place, filled with diverse, energetic, and talented people who are driven to grow and succeed. By working here, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard’s world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise.

Why AA&D?
We are a dedicated team of 400 alumni affairs and development professionals supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through roles that include front-line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, events, communications, prospect management and research, business process, talent management and many other areas.

Harvard’s Alumni Affairs and Development team inspires and galvanizes alumni, friends, and members of the University community to support Harvard through philanthropy, governance, and active engagement. AA&D believes a workplace that reflects the diversity of our society and our ever-evolving University constituency makes us a stronger and more effective organization. Our goal is to create an environment of respect that values the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community, to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work, and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. AA&D strives to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, innovation and sharing of information in our daily interactions and our work.

To learn more about how Harvard supports diversity and inclusion throughout the University please visit the Office for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at https://dib.harvard.edu/.

Discover AA&D and Harvard University Benefits

• Opportunities for internal advancement
• A creative, high- energy, collaborative environment
• Generous Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits starting on your first day
• University-funded retirement plans
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Transportation benefits to help with your daily commute
• Health and wellness discounts, memberships and programs

Job Function

Alumni Affairs and Development, Communications

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405004 Comm Professional (N)

Department

Alumni Affairs and Development

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

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.