Director of Communications - HigherEdJobs

School/Unit: Harvard Divinity School

Duties & Responsibilities

Harvard Divinity School seeks an experienced, innovative, and enthusiastic communications leader to bring the mission of HDS to the public in creative ways that will serve to expand the global reach of the School. Reporting to the Dean of Harvard Divinity School and serving as a member of the HDS leadership team, the communications director will lead and motivate a staff of six, working to shape and disseminate news and information to internal and external constituencies. Constituencies are broad-ranging and diverse, and include faculty, staff, students, Harvard University agencies and departments, the news media, alumni, friends, financial supporters, and the general public both nationally and globally. The director will create and implement strategies and seek new media opportunities and approaches to enhance the visibility of the School's faculty members, academic programs, research, students, and alumni, partnering with Harvard Public Affairs and Communications and the HDS associate dean for development and external relations regarding media events, external relations, and campaign communications strategy and implementation. The director serves as public information officer for the School, actively participating in University-wide communications meetings and planning activities. Provides vision and conducts long-range planning for and oversees production of School publications.

Strategic Communications Planning and Management

• Develops creative strategies to promote the School's vision and priorities through the Internet, other media, events, publications, and visual, verbal, and printed messages to ensure that HDS is recognized as a thought leader and to build awareness of and engagement with HDS's mission and priorities.
• Collaborating with the associate director for development communications, provides strategic leadership for communications as part of the School's development and alumni relations activities and develops content for the forthcoming Harvard Capital Campaign.
• Works with faculty, staff, alumni, and University leadership to extend and improve communications and relations for Harvard Divinity School globally.
• Develops publications and editorial strategy for the School that promotes quality and consistency in content and design, efficiency of production, and adherence to production deadlines and allocated budget.
• Spearheads internal communications to ensure that HDS staff, students, and faculty are aware of School programs and priorities and to foster a strong sense of community.
• Provides content and editorial oversight for HDS printed publications and materials.

Public Affairs and Media Relations

• Develops and manages communications and media plans, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the School's image as well as specific plans for individual areas of priority; conducting ongoing evaluations of their effectiveness.
• Serves as a consultant to the Dean, the Faculty, and HDS department heads on how best to position and gain coverage for HDS activities.
• In consultation with the Dean and the School's senior leaders, develops the Divinity School's official, public statements and advises on probable effect on public opinion and develops press releases in regard to breaking news.

• In consultation with Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, manages any School-related situation that could become either an off-campus or University-wide news story. Helps manage the flow of information at times when University emergency procedures are brought into immediate effect.

Management and Administration

• Oversees the Office of Communications, assuring sound fiscal management and effective staff engagement and development.
• Oversees, develops and implements strategic and operating plans and goals for the office.
• Participates in HDS and University-wide projects and meetings.

Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 10 years of progressively more responsible experience in communications with at least 5 years leading/managing the communications function of an organization.

Additional Qualifications

Advanced degree in relevant field preferred; theological education or experience helpful but not required. Exceptional strategic thinking, team-building, and interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills essential. Demonstrated experience creatively leveraging digital and new media communications strategies. Must be able to coordinate multiple programs simultaneously and to develop and implement forward-thinking and creative strategies. Must be able to appropriately handle confidential materials, meet deadlines, and consistently exercise sound judgment and possess strong skills in the areas of leadership, persuasion, negotiation, and people and fiscal management.

Additional Information

Drawing on its historical strength in Christian studies and its significant resources in global religious studies, Harvard Divinity School educates scholars, teachers, ministers, and other professionals for leadership and service both nationally and internationally. To help in building a world in which people can live and work together across religious and cultural divides, we strive to be a primary resource in religious and theological studies for the academy, for religious communities, and in the public sphere.

Harvard University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Source: http://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175721270

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