Director, Internal Communications

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences seeks a Director of Internal Communications to lead strategic employee communications across email, digital media, and live events. You will manage the editorial direction for The FAS Reporter and work with academic and administrative leaders to engage faculty, researchers, and staff.

The role requires strong writing, project management, and the ability to navigate a large, decentralized organization while maintaining confidentiality and high

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 8+ years in communications/marketing.
• Strong writing and editing for senior leaders.
• Experience with employee communications in large institutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in decentralized environments.
• Proven cross‑functional collaboration and leadership.
• Experience with email marketing and digital channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal communications strategy and content for FAS.
• Oversee end-to-end message development and rollouts.
• Draft emergency communications and manage related moments.
• Lead The FAS Reporter editorial strategy and day‑to‑day management.
• Coordinate FAS calendar and employee-facing channels.
• Partner with offices to deliver timely, accurate content to staff.

Skills

Writing & editing

Marketing campaigns

Email marketing

Web editing

Employee communications

Project management

Collaboration

Fast-paced environment

Confidentiality

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Company Description

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

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart ofHarvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduateprogram (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all ofHarvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GraduateSchool of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athleticsand the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academicdepartments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a communityunparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest rangeof liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeksto foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and sharedcommitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from allmembers of our community and prepares the next generation ofleaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the Chief of Marketing & Operations, FAS, the Director of Internal Communications leads the strategy andexecution of comprehensive employee communications that advance FASpriorities, strengthen connection across the organization, andsupport an informed and engaged community. The Director serves asthe primary voice for internal news, announcements, leadershipcommunications, and employee-facing campaigns; overseescommunications across email, digital, multimedia, and live events;and partners with academic and administrative leaders to reachfaculty, researchers, and staff across a large, complex, anddecentralized organization. The Director leads the editorialstrategy and day-to-day management of The FAS Reporter, one ofFAS’s central employee communications vehicles, and partnersclosely with the Director of Marketing on its channels,presentation, accuracy, and evolution. The Director also leadsemergency communications, manages public reports and internalcommunications tools, and provides strategic guidance to FASoffices seeking to communicate with employees.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Internal communications strategy and content: Leads internalcommunications for FAS, establishing content standards andpublishing rhythms for employee news, announcements, communitymessages, staff announcements, leadership communications, andrelated content across email, digital, multimedia, and live-eventchannels.
• Message development and rollouts: Crafts and facilitatescommunications rollouts from end-to-end, coordinating messaging,timing, audiences, approvals, and cadence across multiple officesand channels as needed.
• Emergency communications: Drafts FAS-wide messages providingguidance on weather-related and other emergency impacts, closures,and changes to operations; occasionally works nights and weekendswhen emergencies arise.
• The FAS Reporter: Leads the editorial strategy and day-to-daymanagement of The FAS Reporter, including outreach to departmentsand FAS offices; soliciting, gathering, and aggregating content;and curating and editing submissions related to faculty and staffnews, events, trainings, reminders, resources, and otherinformation of value to the FAS community. Establishes an efficientcontent intake and review process and maintains a forward-lookingeditorial calendar. Partners closely with the Director ofMarketing, who manages the Reporter template, channel, branding,format, and related communications tools; reviews content togetherto ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and appropriatepresentation; and identifies opportunities to improve reach andengagement.
• Public reports: Manages the development of public reports forFAS, assembling content, coordinating design, copyeditingmaterials, and working with outside vendors as needed.
• FAS calendar and channel coordination: Serves as the internalcommunications lead and core partner for the FAS calendar solutionand other employee-facing channels. Develops and executescommunications strategies that promote alignment, coordination,awareness, and adoption across departments. Partners with theDirector of Marketing on channel strategy, content review, and thedevelopment of new or evolving tools and formats.
• Partnership with FAS offices: Serves as the primary liaison andpartner to flagship FAS offices seeking to communicate or marketannouncements, programs, events, training, or other opportunitiesto employees. Build relationships that support a reliable flow oftimely, accurate content into The FAS Reporter and otheremployee-facing channels, and provides communications guidance andtactical support to reach employees directly and amplify effortsthrough staff-specific communications channels.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience incommunications and/or marketing.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong writing and editing skills, including substantialexperience writing for senior leaders and employee audiences.
• Experience developing and executing creative, engagingmarketing communications or employee engagement campaigns.
• Experience using digital communications tools, including emailmarketing and web editing platforms.
• Direct experience supporting an employee audience at a large,complex institution is preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly decentralizedenvironment with multiple, sometimes competing, interests.
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail, and theability to manage multiple high-priority initiativessimultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, build strongworking relationships, and lead by influence.
• Ability to manage a high level of confidentiality and exercisesound judgment when handling sensitive information.

Additional Information

• Application materials: A cover letter is required alongwith a resume
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable 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 thatsome of the duties and responsibilities can be effectivelyperformed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and locationwill be set by the department at its discretion and based uponoperational needs. When not working at a Harvard orHarvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions mustwork in a Harvard registered state in compliance with theUniversity’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 priorto employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. 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 tosupport a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental andfinancial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Ourbenefits include, but are not limited to:

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

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

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talent fromall parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensureeveryone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our communityadvance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on thebasis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in theuniversity's non-discrimination policy . Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help allcommunity members participate fully in work and campus life freefrom harassment and discrimination.