Senior Director of Media Relations

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.

Why join Harvard Medical School?

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world-renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

Job Description

The Senior Director of Media Relations at Harvard Medical School is a strategic communications leader responsible for amplifying the visibility and protecting the reputation of one of the nation’s top medical schools. This key role in the Office of Communications and External Relations (OCER) leads media strategy with a focus on promoting basic science research, translating complex discoveries into compelling narratives. They advise and work closely with senior leaders and colleagues across the School, University, and affiliated hospitals and research institutes to ensure coordinated, high-impact media engagement. They serve as chief spokesperson for the School, lead the media response to institutional issues, prepare researchers for media interviews, and demonstrate excellence in science communications with a focus on writing and editing.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Media Engagement

• Develop and execute a media relations strategy that highlights the institution’s leadership in biomedical research, education, and service to humanity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers spanning national, international, and science-focused media outlets.
• Conceptualize and pitch stories showcasing faculty expertise, research discoveries, innovation, impact, and service to humanity.
• Lead the response to a large volume of daily, often complex media inquiries and be available outside traditional work hours given the nature of the 24/7 news cycle.
• Shape and lead the annual media fellowship/bootcamp program, bringing science journalists together with researchers and physicians for an immersive, topic-focused program at HMS.
• Manage filming requests for external groups requesting interviews, photos, and videos on campus.

Science Communication & Storytelling

• Lead the development and editing of science-focused press releases, media advisories, and feature stories with clarity, accuracy, and impact.
• Lead science writers in conceptualizing and developing stories for media placement and edits colleagues research news releases.
• Translate complex scientific concepts into accessible, engaging content for lay and other target audiences.
• Research and write news and feature stories for HMS channels (news, magazine, etc.).

Faculty/Researcher Media Preparation

• Provide strategic counsel and support to researchers and academic and administrative leaders ahead of and during media interviews.
• Conduct small-group and one-on-one media training.
• Create and edit briefing materials and talking points to ensure clear, confident, and effective communication.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on media best practices, op-eds, and reputational considerations.

Issues Management

• Oversee and manage communications on institutional issues.
• Lead the institution’s media response during issues and crises, serving as chief spokesperson.
• Develop and implement rapid-response messaging, media protocols, and coordination with institutional leadership and internal and external partners.

Cross-Institutional Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a senior leader on the OCER team, guiding content creators on communicating research for lay audiences; collaborate to ensure effective, efficient communications that advance key content strategies, institutional priorities, and KPIs.
• Work closely with leaders and communications colleagues across the medical school, University, and affiliated hospitals and research institutes to ensure alignment, process, and excellence in media relations and institutional messaging.
• Coordinate joint media strategies, collaborate on multi-institutional research initiatives and story leads, and align messaging across institutions.
• Manage relationships with external consultants and freelance writers.

Measurement & Reporting

• Monitor media coverage and analyze impact.
• Use data to refine strategies and demonstrate the value of media efforts to institutional leadership.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a science-related field required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in media relations, science communication, or journalism, within academic medicine or biomedical research, required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, write, and edit content about basic, translational, and clinical science topics with clarity and accuracy.
• Proven success in building and maintaining relationships with reporters, securing high-profile earned media placements, leading media strategy, and serving as chief spokesperson during complex or sensitive situations.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, especially in basic science, medicine, and healthcare contexts.
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to work effectively with senior leaders and administrators, faculty, researchers, and cross-institutional and external partners.

Preferred Attributes

• Strong background in science journalism or science communication in an academic research, industry, or agency setting.
• Familiarity with scientific publishing and peer-reviewed research practices.
• Experience working with medical school faculty, research centers, and hospitals.
• Confident and calm under pressure, with sound judgment and discretion.
• Exceptional responsiveness, engaged listening, persuasiveness, and the ability to convene and lead by influence in a respectful and collaborative manner.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with entrepreneurial instincts that can help anticipate future needs and opportunities.
• Skilled in navigating organizational boundaries and collaborating effectively.
• Team player who has a positive attitude and is solutions oriented.
• Ability to build and sustain rapport with stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects under the pressure of last-minute deadlines and changing priorities.

Additional Information

A cover letter, resume and examples of earned media and science storytelling are strongly encouraged as part of the application process.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.
• Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.
• Not ready to apply? Join our talent community to keep in touch and learn about future opportunities! https://www.gem.com/form?formID=16341e35-cbc6-4904-88a3-09b35763307e

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, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, 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.