Senior Director of Communications and Engagement

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.

The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The Center is designed to have practical impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world.

Job Description

The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University is seeking a Senior Director to lead its global communications, engagement, and dissemination efforts. This role will raise the Center’s profile, expand its reach among scholars and practitioners, and promote the use of research-based insights and tools for urban leadership and problem-solving.

About the Role
This position goes beyond traditional communications. It includes developing platforms and channels, fostering communities and networks, and managing strategic partnerships. The Senior Director will work across teams at the Center to highlight the its research, programs, and impact—connecting faculty, students, and city leaders. They will draw on faculty research and tell compelling stories about the impact of mayors and students who work with the Center. This leader will shape a clear narrative that captures the Center’s mission and activities, increases its visibility and brand recognition, and aligns with key partners, including Bloomberg Philanthropies.

What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a strategic thinker with strong execution skills. The successful candidate will know how to craft compelling stories for different audiences—from city leaders and policymakers to students and scholars. They are comfortable leading a high-performing team, producing high-quality content, and coordinating across complex environments. They see communication and engagement as avenues for connection, influence, and change and have the ambition and ability to excel in all aspects of the job.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead a global communications strategy that advances the Center’s mission, including digital engagement, field-building, and dissemination.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Director, other senior leaders, and affiliated faculty on media inquiries, announcements, and high-priority communications.
• Shape and steward the Center’s narrative to ensure consistency, clarity, and resonance across platforms, audiences, and geographies.
• Identify and support individuals (e.g. faculty, students, city leaders) and entities (labs, cities, partner organizations) who can amplify impact and visibility of the Center’s work. Design and implement strategies to engage scholars across disciplines in co-producing and utilizing high-quality research on cities.
• Promote the adoption of research-based curricular materials by educators, institutions, and learners focused on cities worldwide.
• Lead strategies to elevate public discourse on urban problem-solving and city leadership.
• Guide the creation of compelling content that draws on the Center’s research, reports, teaching materials, events, and impact stories to drive engagement across channels, networks, and platforms.
• Create and execute a robust media relations and social engagement strategy positioning the Center as a global hub for research on cities and a trusted resource for current and future city leaders.
• Plan and execute high-profile announcements, campaigns, and initiatives in close coordination with Harvard collaborators, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop and lead a high-performing team and manage relationships with vendors, creative partners, Harvard-affiliated faculty and labs, and internal Center teams.
• Design and manage organizational infrastructure and working processes to execute the global plan and support high standards quality.
• Manage the communications budget and propose allocation of resources and assets to maximize impact.
• Track and analyze performance across core areas (communications, engagement, and dissemination) to demonstrate impact, drive continuous improvement, and inform future strategy.
• Establish systems, calendars, and protocols to ensure coordination and timely delivery across all communications activities.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 8 years of increasing responsibility in communications and/or public engagement roles.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with strong tactical execution and a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality communication and engagement efforts across a range of formats and audiences. They will also possess the ability to perform well across arenas and organizations with different standards, interests, cultures, and practices. They are comfortable working independently and collaboratively, balancing long-term planning with day-to-day responsiveness. With a strong editorial instinct, political and organizational sensitivity, and a relentless commitment to excellence, they can quickly produce clear, compelling content—from practical communications to complex, research-informed narratives. They understand how to build and sustain impactful platforms and channels and have the skills to design and manage all business processes associated with high performing communications systems. They thrive in dynamic environments, bring sound judgment to sensitive issues, and remain calm under pressure.

• Proven success designing and executing sophisticated media strategies—across national, regional, and local contexts—ideally within government, academic or policy-oriented organizations, or large public affairs or communications agencies.
• Exceptional writer, editor, producer, and storyteller with a sharp instinct for institutional voice, audience engagement, production value, and public positioning.
• Self-starter who thrives in a collaborative team environment and takes pride in delivering high-quality, timely communications.
• Experience designing and managing content strategies that support platform-building, field dissemination, and the uptake of research-based materials by external institutions.
• Ability to support and engage with high-profile public officials; strong grasp of city, state, and national policy landscapes, domestically and internationally.
• Fluent in traditional and digital media tools, with a track record of securing media coverage and managing journalist relationships nationally and internationally.
• Experience developing and scaling communications infrastructure, including owned media channels.
• Proficiency in the use of generative AI and knowledgeable about the strategic use of genAI tools in organizational settings.
• Understanding of the political, social, and civic contexts that shape urban governance in the U.S.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and composed under pressure; able to manage sensitive issues with discretion and judgment.
• Collaborative and inclusive team leader who builds strong relationships, mentors others, and works well across diverse teams.

Additional Information

This position is a fully benefits eligible term appointment through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of renewal.

• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This role is based in Cambridge, MA and is a full-time position.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week

Work Format Details

This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). 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 060. 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 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

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

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.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.