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Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.
Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and about the Dean’s AAA vision about our school’s ongoing strategic initiatives.
Job Description
Job Summary:
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health seeks an accomplished, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as Vice Dean for Strategic Communications. Reporting directly to the Dean of the Faculty and serving as a member of the School’s senior leadership team, the Vice Dean will serve as the School’s chief communications strategist and a trusted advisor to the Dean and senior leaders on institutional positioning, reputation, and public engagement.
They will be a thoughtful, values-driven leader who combines strategic vision with operational rigor; a calm and credible presence in moments of uncertainty; and a collaborative partner who respects academic culture while advancing clarity, relevance, and impact in service of public health. The Vice Dean will lead a talented, multidisciplinary communications team and provide school-wide leadership for communications strategy, standards, and priorities for advancing the Dean’s vision of a school of public health that meets the needs of the world today and into the future.
Working closely with faculty, researchers, students, and staff, the Vice Dean will articulate and steward a clear, compelling institutional narrative that reflects Harvard Chan’s leadership in research, education, and public purpose. The role partners closely with Harvard University’s central communications office (Harvard Public Affairs and Communications) to ensure alignment, coordination, and consistency across School- and University-wide communications efforts.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Strategic Communications Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, School-wide strategic communications plan aligned with the Dean’s vision, the School’s mission, and institutional priorities.
- Serve as the School’s chief communications strategist, with authority to set communications standards, frameworks, and priorities across platforms and audiences.
- Lead and mentor a high-performing, multidisciplinary communications team of 20 employees encompassing digital and social media, the School’s website, news and media relations, design, content creation and writing, and a multimedia studio; Serve as the direct manager to 7 staff
- Act as a principal advisor to the Dean and senior leadership on communications strategy, reputation management, and public positioning, particularly in moments of institutional opportunity or challenge.
- Establish and steward a clear institutional voice that reflects the School’s intellectual rigor, values, and global leadership in public health.
- Build capacity across the School for clear, thoughtful, and effective communication in complex, fast-moving, and sometimes polarized environments.
Integration and Innovation of Platforms
- Integrate, elevate, and continuously improve the School’s communications platforms to ensure coherence, accessibility, and strategic impact.
- Identify opportunities for innovation in format, storytelling, and audience engagement, including emerging digital and multimedia approaches.
- Build a connected communications ecosystem that links research, education, and engagement in mutually reinforcing ways.
- Leverage data, analytics, and audience insights to assess impact, refine strategy, and inform investment and prioritization across platforms.
External Visibility and Partnerships
- Collaborate with external communications partners and counterparts across academia, government, NGOs, foundations, and industry to extend the reach and impact of Harvard Chan’s work.
- Position faculty and institutional leaders as trusted, values-driven public voices in public health at national and global levels.
- Advance proactive media and public engagement strategies that elevate the School’s thought leadership and real-world influence.
Brand Stewardship
- Refine and steward the Harvard Chan brand within the broader Harvard University brand ecosystem, ensuring distinction, clarity, and alignment.
- Translate complex public health research and concepts into clear, accessible, and compelling narrative and visual content for varying audiences.
- Highlight research breakthroughs, educational innovation, and real-world solutions in ways that resonate broadly while maintaining scientific rigor and academic integrity.
Crisis Communications and Reputation Management
- Establish crisis communications frameworks and preparedness protocols in partnership with School and University leadership.
- Lead communications strategy during crises with authority, calm, sound judgment, and discretion.
- Anticipate, assess, and manage reputational risks to the School, advising senior leadership on mitigation and response.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree is required.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public affairs, media, or related fields within complex, mission-driven organizations.
- Leadership and supervisory experience is required.
PLEASE NOTE: Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide writing samples and/or a communications portfolio.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Master's degree preferred
- Experience serving on or closely advising senior leadership teams within academic, public health, healthcare, or similarly complex mission-driven institutions, with the ability to operate effectively in high-stakes, ambiguous, and fast-paced environments.
- Proven success leading and developing large teams and managing complex portfolios under tight deadlines, ideally within research-intensive or decentralized academic or healthcare settings.
- A passion for innovation in digital, multimedia, and emerging communications platforms, paired with strategic discipline and operational excellence.
- Experience collaborating across decentralized organizations with multiple platforms such as schools, departments, centers, or clinical or research units.
- Exceptional judgment, discretion, and credibility in crisis and reputation-sensitive situations, including those involving science, public health, healthcare delivery, or institutional trust.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust, influence without formal authority, and navigate complex institutional dynamics, particularly within faculty-driven or expert-led environments.
- A deep appreciation for the role of science, evidence, and academic integrity in public communication, with experience translating complex research or health-related concepts for varying audiences.
- A creative, entrepreneurial mindset grounded in collaboration, rigor, and service to the public good.
Additional Information
- 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
Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!
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The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
This position has a 180 day orientation and review period.
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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.
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. 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 062. 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.