Director of Communications

Job CodeCM0858 Communications Management IIISub-Unit058Time StatusFull-timeUnion00 - Non Union, Exempt or TemporaryBasic QualificationsBachelor'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 InformationPlease also submit relevant writing samples. Later stages of the interview process will include writing exercises.This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment ending one year from date of hire, with possibility of renewal.and see yourself at Harvard Kennedy School.We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.

Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.

Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.Salary Range: $87,700 - $150,900

Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.DepartmentTaubman Center for State & Local GovernmentPre-Employment ScreeningEducation, IdentityJob FunctionCommunicationsPosition DescriptionKey responsibilities for the communications director will include: * Engage target audiences - Working with Taubman Center faculty, fellows, staff, and alumni,develop and implement strategies to engage and disseminate information to state and localgovernment policy makers and practitioners, thought leaders, conveners, HKS students and alumni.

• Create content - collaborate with others in the center to produce and package content rangingfrom long-form policy briefs to tweets. Depending on the project, this may involve drafting originalcontent (e.g., project features, technical guides, policy briefs), synthesizing and editing contentbeing created by other Taubman, GPL, and Rappaport team members, or producing derivativecontent (e.g., blog or social media post from a project feature). This may include the selection andmanagement of external contract writers and copy editors.


• Develop and utilize digital platforms and tools to reach key audiences - enhance and maintain theTaubman 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 & localgovernment website and e-newsletter as a resource to policy makers and practitioners.


• Implement and sustain successful PR strategy - proactively engage key media and influencers toposition our affiliated faculty, fellows, and staff as topical expert resources to them, and to promoteideas, research, and work being done at the Taubman Center, GPL, and Rappaport Institute. This willalso include securing earned media, writing and disseminating press releases, and preparing a crisismanagement plan.


• Manage communications infrastructure and protocols - enhance and oversee the utilization of aCRM 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 marketingmaterials (e.g., digital and print materials, email marketing templates, event promotion materials,presentation templates, current and prospective donor materials, etc.).

School/UnitHarvard Kennedy SchoolJob SummaryThe 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.Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and BelongingHarvard Kennedy School's Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-RacismAt Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership-because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies. Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School's commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.BenefitsWe invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( ) 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.

Work FormatHybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)#LI-ES2Work Format DetailsThis 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.

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