Chief Communications Officer

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement plans with contributions

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Harvard University seeks a Chief Communications Officer who will lead the Office of Communications and Public Affairs. This role requires strategic vision, team leadership, and expertise in media relations, supporting the school's goals and enhancing its reputation.

The successful candidate will manage a talented team, execute effective communications strategies, and act as a spokesperson. This is a key position within Harvard Kennedy School, offering significant opportunity to impact the institution's narrative and outreach efforts.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in progressively senior positions within the Communications field.
• Experience managing staff.
• Ability to execute effective communication strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver effective communications strategy.
• Lead media relations and act as chief spokesperson.
• Strengthen relationships with communications professionals.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Media relations

Team leadership

Crisis communications

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Graduate degree in relevant field

Job description

Job Summary

Interested applicants should submit both a cover letter and resume.

The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) reports to the Dean of Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and serves on the School’s Leadership Team. As Chief Communications Officer (CCO), you will motivate, lead, manage, and develop a talented team of 17+ staff that comprise Harvard Kennedy School’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs (OCPA). In coordination with the Dean’s Office, HKS research centers, and other key offices, you will design, execute, and assess integrated strategic communications that highlight the School’s strategy and priorities for both internal and external stakeholders; amplify the policy impact of the School, giving voice to research; set a strategic direction to promote and market educational programs and events; and strengthen and protect the School’s institutional position and reputation. In addition, you will coordinate a network of 30+ communicators distributed across the School’s research centers and programs. The CCO will approach this mission-centered work with a high degree of strategic thinking, creativity, and discretion; a commitment to open inquiry and supporting a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and points of view; a willingness to experiment and take calculated risks; and a commitment to leading, maintaining, and empowering an exceptional team.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Dean and Chief of Staff, as well as with other HKS senior administrators, faculty, and communications experts, in further developing and delivering an effective and innovative communications strategy that reflects and advances the School’s HKS 2036 vision, strategy, and associated priorities.
• By leveraging the skills and talents of the OCPA team, develop, execute, and assess integrated strategic communications programs encompassing editorial content creation, media relations, digital communications, executive communications, publications, brand management, and marketing campaigns, for both internal and external audiences, using various modalities and channels to reach different audiences.
• Provide leadership and effective personnel management to the OCPA team, promoting collaborative interdisciplinary teamwork, experimentation, creativity, open communication, responsible self‑direction, and professional development.
• Act as chief spokesperson for the school with the media and oversee media relations (e.g., working with press, writing talking points and statements) for the School, to include proactive press outreach to drive the School’s message and leadership in crisis communications situations.
• Lead the HKS‑wide communications affinity group (CAG), which includes communications staff from other administrative departments and HKS research centers, to ensure integration, collaboration, consistency, and improved cross‑unit communication processes.
• Strengthen relationships with communications professionals across the School and University.
• Lead and strengthen coordination and alignment of priorities and information sharing between OCPA and leadership and communications/marketing staff in Professional and Lifelong Learning (Executive Education & Public Leadership Credential), Degree Programs and Student Affairs, and Alumni Relations and Resource Development.
• Provide strategic guidance to support the enrollment goals of all academic programs, including Professional and Lifelong Learning.
• Lead internal communications for HKS, working closely with and serving as a thought partner to the Dean and Chief of Staff.
• Drive the development of a compelling and effective digital, video, and editorial presence, resulting in vibrant and responsive online communications, including on social media, that support School priorities and initiatives and advance the policy impact of faculty research. Work with the OCPA team to identify and proactively tell compelling narratives that fully capture diverse stories coming out of HKS and that reflect the School’s commitment to viewpoint diversity and open inquiry.
• Take a proactive approach to editorial content, marketing, media relations, social media, and owned digital and print platforms, ensuring that HKS messages and stories reach key target audiences and have impact.
• With other senior administrators, maintain appropriate communications policies to ensure that privacy regulations, public safety efforts, and HKS‑wide practices are understood and effectively implemented.
• Work with the Dean’s Office to ensure compliance with University use of name policies, including trademark, logos, and other graphic products where appropriate.
• Employ appropriate metrics and analytics to measure impact of cross‑channel communications initiatives.
• Establish and sustain a productive relationship with Harvard Public Affairs and Communications and other communications staff across the University.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of experience in progressively senior positions within the Communications field. Experience managing staff.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

If you have some, but not all of the following attributes, you are encouraged to apply, as we value employees with a willingness to learn:

• Graduate degree in public policy, communications, journalism, or a related field; and/or experience in higher education and/or government, including developing strategies to effectively communicate research to public and social sector audiences.
• Aptitude at building relationships and navigating complex organizations and issues while advising and providing sound communications counsel at senior levels.
• Ability to execute effectively and achieve change in a large, complex, decentralized, and mission‑driven organization.
• Experience experimenting with different communications modalities and multi‑pronged approaches to reach different audiences.
• Demonstrated savvy and success in media relations and brand and reputation management, including adeptness at managing press and media opportunities, and proven effectiveness in employing social media and other digital technologies; and familiarity with marketing campaigns.
• Substantial experience responding to and managing communications in response to crises.
• Ability to judiciously build consensus, persuade, negotiate, and manage relationships across a diverse group of internal and external constituents, and decisively problem‑solve in a fast‑moving, decentralized organization.
• A successful track record as a leader, hands‑on manager, and strategist; a highly visible and accessible management style with strong people and relationship skills; a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and community; and a genuine willingness to listen.

Additional Information

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Identity, Education.
• Work Format Details: This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks.

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.