Communications Manager

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Wellbeing resources

Family support

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies seeks a Communications Manager to lead an integrated communications strategy that supports marketing, public relations, and alumni relations. The role reports to the Associate Director and drives content across print and digital platforms.

The position emphasizes storytelling, accessibility, and collaboration, requiring strong writing, editorial, and design awareness.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, or public relations.
• Experience with digital and multimedia communications.
• Strong writing and editorial skills; knowledge of print and digital design.
• Experience shaping communications strategy in higher education, nonprofit, or think tank settings.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements communications and marketing programs.
• Oversees Center content across print and digital platforms.
• Develops marketing plans for the Center’s programs and activities.
• Manages the Davis Center website, publications, email marketing, and social media channels.
• Manages relationship with the Center’s web developer and contracts for services.
• Responds to questions and requests from media and the public, and redirects queries as needed.
• Recruits and manages contracted communications professionals (copy editors, writers, designers, photographers).
• Evaluates effectiveness of communication strategies using data and metrics.
• Ensures adherence to digital content best practices, Harvard guidelines, accessibility standards, copyright, and policies.
• Supports colleagues’ professional development through skill shares or guidelines.
• Contributes to the CGIS, FAS, and Harvard communications community.

Skills

Communications

Marketing

Public relations

Editorial writing

Strategic planning

Job description

• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 057
• Department: Social Sciences - Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
• FLSA Status: Exempt

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.
• 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:

• 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

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.

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

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.