Job Summary
As part of the Center for Public Leadership (CPL) Communications and External Engagement (CEE) team, the Digital Communications Specialist will drive the proactive creation of compelling content to expand CPL’s reach to target audiences within the Harvard community and beyond. They will lead the production of content for CPL’s website, newsletters, and social media channels, working with faculty, staff, and students to highlight CPL’s research, programs, and community using the full range of digital storytelling tools, including written copy, video, photography, and graphic design.
The ideal candidate for this job is a motivated, creative storyteller with excellent judgment who can identity target audiences, develop audience-specific messaging, and utilize the most effective tools and platforms to produce engaging, targeted content. We seek a strong writer who is detail oriented, organized, and collaborative with the ability to work independently, think strategically, and problem solve.
About The Center For Public Leadership
The Center for Public Leadership is committed to inspiring and enhancing the capacity for principled, effective public leadership in government, politics, civil society, and business through scholarship, education, and community. We are a community of students, scholars and educators, practitioners, staff, and alumni working to bridge theory and practice to empower, train, and foster exceptional leaders who motivate and mobilize collaborative action across differences for a common good.
Position Description
Responsibilities include:
Writing and Editing
- Report, write, and edit articles, interviews, and announcements highlighting events, students, faculty research, and visiting practitioners under editorial guidance from CEE leadership.
- Produce and edit CPL newsletter, quarterly research newsletter, and other email-based products as part of the CPL editorial review process.
Marketing
- Research and identify CPL’s target demographics, recommending strategies to effectively engage with current and prospective audiences.
- Use analytics and marketing tools, such as Salesforce, to shape marketing strategies and inform content creation.
- Manage the mailing lists for all email communications, including leading efforts to expand distribution lists.
Content Production
- Create materials to publicize CPL events and announcements using the full range of platforms, including email marketing and social media.
- Develop compelling graphics for use across platforms, including social media, newsletters, the CPL website, and print materials.
- Shoot and edit videos for use across digital platforms.
- Act as CPL photographer and videographer for designated events.
Social Media
- Coordinate all CPL social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, defining the social media brand and creating strategies to grow CPL’s social media presence and expand our reach.
- Other duties as assigned.
Note: Successful candidates will be asked to provide a portfolio of writing examples, social media and graphic design content, and videography work.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English, or related field
- 2+ years of relevant professional experience
- Experience with Adobe suite, Microsoft Office, and Google suite
Additional Qualifications And Skills
- Exceptional oral and written communications skills with the ability to translate complex issues and topics into readable, compelling content
- Demonstrate critical thinking, a strategic mindset and ability to develop and operationalize digital communications strategies
- Experience in videography, photography, and familiarity with photo and video editing tools
- Excellent knowledge of and proven experience with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social media platforms
- Experience using marketing tools and analytics to conduct audience analysis, including audience analysis tools such as Google Analytics and Salesforce Marketing Cloud
- Outstanding creativity and innovative design skills; ability to translate conceptual ideas into compelling visual representations, in print and electronic media
- Working knowledge of Drupal or other similar content management systems
- Exceptional organizational skill and meticulous attention to detail
- Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
Additional Information
This position is a fully benefits-eligible term appointment one year from date of hire, with very strong possibility of renewal.
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment references 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.
Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage . Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information Website .
Salary Range: $58,965 - $93,830
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.
Benefits
We 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.
Job Function
General Administration
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code
403040 Coordinator II
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Department
Center for Public Leadership
Sub-Unit
Time Status
Full-time
Salary Grade
055
Union
55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard Kennedy School’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism
At 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.
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.