Communications Manager

Harvard University FAS Human Resources; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University’s Davis Center seeks a Communications Manager to lead strategic communications, marketing, and alumni relations for studies in Russia, Eurasia and Eastern Europe. You will translate complex topics into accessible narratives and collaborate with faculty, students and staff to advance the Center’s mission.

This full-time, in-office role emphasizes managing content across print and digital platforms, website management, media inquiries, and budget oversight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5 years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, or public relations.
• Strong writing and editorial skills; experience with print and digital design.
• Experience in higher education, non-profit, or think tank settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads strategic communications and marketing programs.
• Oversees content across print and digital platforms, ensuring alignment with the Center’s mission.
• Manages the Center's website, publications, email marketing, and social media to advance key messages.
• Recruits and supervises contracted communications professionals and interns.
• Manages the communications budget and supports professional development.
• Collaborates with the Development and Alumni Relations team on engagement strategies.

Skills

Strategic communications

Copywriting

Public relations

Digital marketing

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Davis Center is the gateway for interdisciplinary study of Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe at Harvard University. Our collaborative community of faculty, scholars, students, and staff, push the boundaries of accessible, interdisciplinary work on Eurasia through world-leading innovative scholarship, creative teaching, and broad learning. With a dedicated mission to advance research from across our field at Harvard and beyond, we educate future leaders of all ages—from K-14 to our wider community—who will make enduring contributions and want to apply deep knowledge to contemporary problems in the region.

The Davis Center values creativity, vigorous scholarly engagement, and a collaborative team environment. We seek a dynamic self-starter with a passion for storytelling, translating complex topics into accessible narratives in multiple formats, and engaging with our community. This position reports to the Davis Center’s Associate Director.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Communications Manager will develop and lead a strategic, integrated approach to communications, supporting our efforts at marketing, public relations, and alumni relations.

Communications

• Develops and implements communications and marketing programs to promote understanding and support among the Center’s key constituencies.
• Oversees the creation and management of all Center content across print and digital platforms, ensuring alignment with the Center’s mission.
• Develops marketing plans that advance the Center’s programs and activities.
• Manages the Davis Center website, publications, email marketing, and social media channels to advance key messages and expand the Davis Center’s brand.
• Manages the relationship with the Center’s web developer, including contracting for new and enhanced services.
• Responds to questions and requests from media and the public, and redirects such queries to colleagues as needed, to build the Center’s reputation as a trusted resource and leader in Russian and Eurasian studies.
• Participates in the design of communications collateral for major milestone events and reunions.
• Recruits and manages contracted communications professionals, such as copy editors, writers, graphic designers, printers, and photographers.
• Initiates positive and proactive relationships with both internal and external constituents.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of communication strategies by using data-driven analysis and monitoring relevant metrics.
• Ensures adherence to digital content best practices, Harvard guidelines, trademark policy, accessibility standards, copyright compliance, and other policies. Establishes guidelines that ensure standardization across the center’s print and digital channels.
• Supports colleagues’ professional development through skill shares or guidelines.
• Contributes to the community of communications and marketing staff within CGIS, FAS, and Harvard writ large.

Development and Alumni Relations

• Provides Center’s development team with editorial/communications support.
• Works collaboratively with the Associate Director and Student Programs Officer on strategies to build and maintain relationships with alumni.

Supervisory/Management

• Hires, trains, supervises, and supports the professional development of any student assistants or interns supporting the Center’s communications efforts.
• Responsible for managing the communications budget.

Other duties as determined by supervisor.

Working Conditions:

This is a full-time position. Like all Davis Center positions, it requires a strong in-office presence. All full-time staff currently work 3-4 days in the office and 1-2 days remotely. This may be adjusted at a later date. Tuesday is an "anchor" day.

Physical Requirements:

Limited travel may be required.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 5years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, or public relations, digital and multimedia.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Understanding of strategic and day-to-day communications challenges in complex multi-cultural and international environment strongly preferred. Experience and/or interest in Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia desirable. Strong writing and editorial skills, as well as broad knowledge of print and digital design and production processes and tools are also desired. Candidates should have experience shaping communications strategy and be creative in finding new and innovative approaches to marketing and communications for different constituents, especially in a higher education, non-profit, or think tank sectors.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

To learn more about the Davis Center, visit us at: https://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• 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

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

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.