Specialist, Communications & Marketing Services

Harvarduniversity; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a Communications & Marketing Services Specialist to provide strategic communications support across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. You will collaborate with departmental leaders to develop content, manage digital channels, and execute campaigns aligned with institutional goals and brand standards.

The role involves on-campus work in Cambridge, MA, with a hybrid schedule and responsibility for managing multiple projects to deliver timely, accessible communications

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, public relations, digital communications, or related experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and content development skills.
• Experience creating and managing content across multiple communications channels.

Responsibilities

• Advise departments on communications and marketing strategies, tactics, and channels to increase awareness, engagement, and effectiveness.
• Consult with stakeholders to understand communications objectives and recommend appropriate approaches and solutions.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen outreach, storytelling, audience engagement, and brand visibility.
• Support departmental communications planning and campaign development.
• Lead the development, writing, editing, design coordination, and distribution of communications materials, including e-newsletters, website content, event promotion, digital communications, and marketing collateral.
• Develop compelling content tailored to diverse audiences and communications channels.
• Ensure all communications reflect institutional priorities, brand standards, and editorial best practices.
• Coordinate review and approval processes with stakeholders as needed.
• Manage and maintain departmental websites using Drupal or similar content management systems.

Skills

Excellent writing

Editing

Proofreading

Content development

Content creation

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary:

The Communications & Marketing Services Specialist provides strategic communications and marketing support to departments across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). Working in partnership with departmental leaders and stakeholders, the Specialist advises on effective communications approaches, develops and executes content and marketing initiatives, and manages digital communications channels to enhance visibility, engagement, and audience reach.

The role is responsible for planning, creating, and maintaining a wide range of communications materials, including web content, e-newsletters, event promotion, and digital campaigns. The Specialist manages communications workflows, prioritizes incoming requests, and coordinates projects to ensure timely, high-quality delivery aligned with institutional goals, accessibility requirements, and brand standards.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Communications & Marketing Services, this position serves as a trusted communications partner to assigned departments and operates with a high degree of independence in managing projects and stakeholder relationships.

This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an expectation of a minimum of three (3) workdays per week on campus.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Communications and Marketing Strategy

• Advise departments on communications and marketing strategies, tactics, and channels to increase awareness, engagement, and effectiveness.
• Consult with stakeholders to understand communications objectives and recommend appropriate approaches and solutions.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen outreach, storytelling, audience engagement, and brand visibility.
• Support departmental communications planning and campaign development.

Content Development and Execution

• Lead the development, writing, editing, design coordination, and distribution of communications materials, including:
  • E-newsletters
  • Website content
  • Event promotion
  • Digital communications
  • Marketing collateral
• Develop compelling content tailored to diverse audiences and communications channels.
• Ensure all communications reflect institutional priorities, brand standards, and editorial best practices.
• Coordinate review and approval processes with stakeholders as needed.

Website and Digital Content Management

• Manage and maintain departmental websites using Drupal or similar content management systems.
• Ensure content accuracy, relevance, accessibility, and usability across digital platforms.
• Implement web content updates and improvements based on communications priorities and user needs.
• Apply digital communications best practices, accessibility requirements, and brand standards to all online content.
• Monitor website content and recommend enhancements to improve user experience and engagement.

Workflow and Project Management

• Serve as a central point of contact for communications and marketing requests.
• Triage, assess, and prioritize incoming projects based on urgency, impact, and available resources.
• Identify and engage appropriate stakeholders, subject matter experts, and communications partners to advance projects.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, communications calendars, and workflow tracking processes.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.

Stakeholder Engagement and Client Service

• Build strong working relationships with departmental leaders, faculty, administrators, and colleagues.
• Provide responsive, customer-focused communications support and consultation.
• Collaborate with internal communications, marketing, digital, and creative teams to coordinate communications efforts.
• Present recommendations and communications solutions to stakeholders in a clear and effective manner.

Communications Operations and Continuous Improvement

• Support implementation of communications standards, policies, and best practices.
• Utilize data, analytics, and stakeholder feedback to improve communications effectiveness.
• Explore and leverage AI-enabled tools and technologies to enhance productivity, content development, and workflow efficiency.
• Stay current with communications, marketing, digital content, and accessibility trends and best practices.

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid work arrangement with a minimum of three (3) days per week on campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support events, communications initiatives, or departmental priorities.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, public relations, digital communications, or related experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and content development skills.
• Experience creating and managing content across multiple communications channels.
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