Employment Type : Full-Time
Job Summary Position Description Basic Qualifications Additional Qualifications and Skills Additional Information Job Function Location Job Code Sub-Unit Department Time Status Salary Grade Union Pre-Employment Screening Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging EEO Statement
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Director works to maximize the impact of Belfer Center’s policy analysis and research efforts among policymakers, the media, and the public. The Director develops, maintains, and executes overall communications strategy for the Center, in close consultation with the Center’s leadership. Develops strong working relationships with the staff of the Center’s programs and projects, providing strategic and operational communications support.
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is the world’s preeminent university-based research center. Led by former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and former Assistant Secretary of Defense Eric Rosenbach, the Center attracts leading students, scholars, and practitioners working in science, technology, and international relations. Diplomats, four-star generals, intelligence directors, technologists, entrepreneurs, and bestselling authors all call the Center their professional home. The Center comprises nearly two dozen research teams, covering everything from climate change in the Arctic and nuclear security to the Middle East and applied history. Uniting these diverse issue areas is a dual mission to 1) advance policy relevant knowledge at the nexus of science and international affairs; and 2) prepare future leaders for public service in these fields.
Strengthening relationships : Identifies and builds relationships with important constituencies, including within the media, Administration, Congress, and business community, as well as with research centers across the university and in the broader policy community globally.
PR: Arranges major presentations of the Center’s work and helps promote signature publications. Drafts press releases, personnel announcements, and timely media alerts. Handles interview requests. Works with Center and HKS stakeholders on crisis communications issues.
Innovative, impactful output : Thinks creatively to employ traditional and innovative communication channels and tools necessary to reach target audiences effectively. These include opinion essays, research reports, policy briefs, multimedia, social media, videos, podcasts, and other non-text communication tools as well as digital and printed materials.
Digital management : Responsible for the development, operation, and innovation of the Center’s main website, BelferCenter.org, and related digital entities. Manages all social media.
Administration : Manages a team with specialties in digital management, multimedia and production, and press outreach. Coordinates with HKS and Harvard communications offices. Manages a dozen or more vendor relationships and the department’s budget.
Editorial leadership: Serves as editor in chief for the full range of Center output, including the weekly Belfer in the News digest and the twice-yearly Center newsletter. Runs corporate communications, including external and internal messaging from the Center’s leadership team.
Resource development : Strengthens relationships with existing and prospective International Council members. Works to substantially diversify Council membership. Keeps careful track of member contributions. Helps organize major Council convenings, including the Center’s annual meeting each spring.
We’re looking for a Director with substantial experience in linking innovative communications to policy impact – and relaying this narrative of impact to support the Center’s development. We expect the candidate to be tech-savvy and unafraid to try new tools to help the Center fulfill its mission.
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 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.
Salary Range: $94,300 - $164,500
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.
Harvard offers a generous benefits package including:
Harvard access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.
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.