Job description
Job Summary
The Institute of Politics (IOP) seeks a new Director of Communications to join our team. As a member of the senior IOP team, the Director of Communications reports to the IOP’s Executive Director and will work closely with the Director. The Director of Communications will develop a broad communications strategy for the Institute as a whole and for its individual programs, initiatives, and events. The Director of Communications will also work closely with student leadership to craft communications strategies for their IOP priorities and develop innovative communications methods to define the Institute’s public presence. The Director of Communications works in partnership with HKS Office of Communications and Public Affairs and the University’s Office of Public Affairs and Communications.
The Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Harvard Kennedy School has a proud history as the first institution of its kind with a mission to inspire students, particularly undergraduates, to become leaders in politics and public service. Established in 1966 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, the IOP seeks to bring students together with academics, politicians, activists, and policymakers on a nonpartisan basis to inspire them toward politics and public service.
Through its fifteen programs, the IOP engages with students in variety of ways, including weekly study groups led by Residential Fellows, civics education programs for local elementary and middle school students, formal and informal discussions on intersection of politics with gender, race, and ethnicity, opportunities to pose questions to prominent political leaders in the JFK Jr. Forum, and the crafting of the nation’s leading millennial poll. To find out more about the IOP, visit iop.harvard.edu.
The Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Harvard Kennedy School has a proud history as the first institution of its kind with a mission to inspire students, particularly undergraduates, to become leaders in politics and public service. Established in 1966 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, the IOP seeks to bring students together with academics, politicians, activists, and policymakers on a nonpartisan basis to inspire them toward politics and public service.
Through its fifteen programs, the IOP engages with students in variety of ways, including weekly study groups led by Residential Fellows, civics education programs for local elementary and middle school students, formal and informal discussions on intersection of politics with gender, race, and ethnicity, opportunities to pose questions to prominent political leaders in the JFK Jr. Forum, and the crafting of the nation’s leading millennial poll. To find out more about the IOP, visit iop.harvard.edu.
Position Description
Together with a small team, the Director of Communications will establish and maintain productive relationships with local and national media; oversee website content and online presence, including digital content, social media outreach, and videos that bring IOP programming to a broader audience; manage creation of published materials including bi-annual newsletter, weekly email, brochures and other printed and digital materials; serve as a spokesperson for the IOP; and work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations to develop and administer an IOP-wide communications budget.
Examples of the Director of Communications’ responsibilities are: working with the IOP Polling Director to connect with various media outlets to publicize the semester l Gen Z poll results; crafting press strategies to advance Forums and other large-scale events, including press releases/media advisories; overseeing the design of graphics and video content for IOP social media channels and the IOP website; conducting social media trainings for students; and partnering with students to create IOP content across social media channels.
Examples of the Director of Communications’ responsibilities are: working with the IOP Polling Director to connect with various media outlets to publicize the semester l Gen Z poll results; crafting press strategies to advance Forums and other large-scale events, including press releases/media advisories; overseeing the design of graphics and video content for IOP social media channels and the IOP website; conducting social media trainings for students; and partnering with students to create IOP content across social media channels.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of experience in communications; a proven record in external communications programming; supervisory/management experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
Ideal candidates will also possess an advanced degree in a relevant field; experience in higher education and in campaigns or public service; be a “self-starter” who proactively anticipates organizational needs including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines as required; the ability and drive to work across an organization at all levels to ensure clear and unified goals and communication; and an ability to interact and influence diverse people to meet goals and deadlines, build and manage teams, and work collaboratively with senior leadership, colleagues, students, volunteers, and the broader Harvard community. Excellent oral and written communications skills to ensure the effective delivery of the Institute’s vision, mission, and brand; proficiency with social media platforms and web tools; an eye for strong graphic design and visual branding; strong media relationships; and a passion for public service and politics.
Additional Information
We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide Visa Sponsorship.
Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus five days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Salary Range: $94,300- $164,500
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background checks.
Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.
This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus five days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Salary Range: $94,300- $164,500
Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
- Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
- Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
- Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
- Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
- Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
- Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Job Function
Communications
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Cambridge
Job Code
CM0559 Communications Management IV
Work Format
On-Site
Department
institute of Polictics
Sub-Unit
-
Time Status
Full-time
Salary Grade
059
Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard Kennedy School’s Mission and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism
At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.
Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.
At Harvard Kennedy School, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong is a matter of basic fairness consistent with our core values as an institution. It is also essential to our mission of improving public policy and leadership—because recruiting the best people and creating an environment where they can thrive make us better at what we do, because we learn more from people with different perspectives, and because we work in diverse groups and serve diverse societies.
Learn more about Harvard Kennedy School’s commitment to Diversity Equity, and Anti-Racism.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
offroadmanagementgroup.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, offroadmanagementgroup.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, offroadmanagementgroup.com is the ideal place to find your next job.