Job Summary

Harvard University seeks an innovative, collaborative, and dynamic leader to serve as the next Associate Dean for Communications for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and Senior Executive Director, FAS Communications, for Harvard Public Affairs and Communications (HPAC).

In this highly visible role, the Associate Dean and Senior Executive Director (ADSED) will lead a fast- paced, comprehensive, integrated communications and engagement organization that advances the strategic vision and priorities of the FAS; the primary units of the FAS include Harvard College, the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), and the Division of Continuing Education (DCE). The ADSED is also a senior member of the Harvard Public Affairs and Communications (HPAC) team, which oversees the University's communications efforts and manages and facilitates the University's relationships with neighboring communities; local, state, and federal government; the media; and the public.

Position Description

The ADSED supervises a team of thirteen direct reports across six teams spanning the FAS and HPAC, and influences a significantly larger indirect team and community of communications leaders across the FAS.
The ADSED's primary responsibilities include:

• Senior leadership advising: Serve as chief communications advisor to the FAS Dean and provide strategic communications counsel to the academic and administrative leadership across the FAS's divisions and schools in support of the brand and reputation of the FAS and the University.
• Communications strategy and planning: Lead the creation of a comprehensive, proactive communications strategy to support the vision and priorities of the FAS and its primary units, working closely with the FAS Dean, the FAS Associate Dean/Chief of Staff, and the academic and administrative leadership of the FAS. Lead the University communications strategy on initiatives and issues that vest primarily in the FAS, working closely with communications leadership in Harvard Public Affairs and Communications. Align FAS communications strategy with University communications strategy and priorities.
• Crisis and issues management: Serve as chief spokesperson for the FAS Dean and oversee the FAS media relations team, providing strategic advice and guidance on issues management, brand and reputational risk, crisis communications, strategic communications planning, and message development. Lead development of issues management strategy in on matters that vest primarily in the FAS. Co-chairs the FAS Campus Climate Response Team and the FAS Emergency Communications Group.
• Proactive media relations and storytelling: Oversee the FAS media relations and editorial teams, who work closely with the academic leadership to identify and tell compelling FAS stories (faculty and student profiles, teaching innovations, new discoveries and scholarships, and emerging initiatives) through Harvard channels, as well as campus, national, and global media. Lead the teams that provide creative editorial work (writing, multimedia) and media pitching, training, and editorial review and placement.
• Internal communications and engagement: Develop strategies to engage and manage communications to the primary constituencies of the FAS (faculty, re searchers, students, staff), through community messages, town halls and other events, digital content and channels, multimedia, and thoughtfully sequenced communications rollouts.
• Communications integration: Work to integrate communications strategies, messages, and tactics across the major units of the FAS to ensure alignment and inform resource allocation decisions, and provides strategic advice and guidance on proactive communications campaigns, digital strategy, social media, and best practices in communications platforms, processes, and measurement.
• Team management and culture: Manage a direct team of 13 communications professionals, who support FAS media relations and communications, FAS editorial, Harvard College communications and engagement, DCE communications and outreach, and FAS communications administration. Support an inclusive team culture that promotes creativity, innovation, and leading-edge communications strategies and activities. Provide effective supervision and personnel management to the team, promoting collaborative, interdisciplinary teamwork, open communication, and responsible self -direction.
• Organizational integration: Support the integration of a complex, and decentralized communications organization across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, creating a sense of shared mission and goals in support of FAS communications that drives a collaborative, creative team environment. This group includes individual contributors and teams who support units within the FAS.

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years progressive experience in public relations, communications, and/or marketing required.

• Comfort managing complexity: this leader must demonstrate an ability to successfully advance ambitious goals in a highly matrixed, consensus-driven environment

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Be a true partner to the FAS Dean and HPAC Vice President in anticipating issues and proactively positioning the university to best navigate a dynamic higher education landscape.
• Direct experience developing and leading an organization's public relations or communications strategy, including media relations, internal communications, editorial/storytelling, engagement/outreach, digital communications, and social media.
• Significant strategic communications experience with a track record of progressive success in leading a communications organization that manages the brand and reputation of a high -profile institution or organization.
• Broad experience in all areas of communications, including strategy development, issues/crisis management, and domestic and global media relations.
• A record of recruiting and developing a diverse and talented staff through effective leadership and expert mentoring. Maintaining a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top-quality people.
• Promote a strong customer service orientation in all interactions with internal and external constituencies; building and maintaining collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholder .
• A self-starter with high-energy who can lead and influence change in a large, decentralized and complex environment driven by mission.
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders effectively, maintaining the highest ethical standards and operating with sound judgment and integrity.
• Exceptional communication skills, written, verbal and presentation, and experience with responding to and effectively managing communications around sensitive issues and crises.
• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills, along with a demonstrated ability to think strategically and critically and consistently exercise sound judgment.
• Proven track record of coordinating multiple programs simultaneously, moving projects forward, and developing and implementing creative, solution-oriented strategies while anticipating future demands and opportunities.

Additional Information

Please note: Korn Ferry is leading this Associate Dean for Communications & Marketing FAS & Senior Executive Director, FAS Communications search. For a detailed job description, to submit a nomination, or to apply, please email Caroline Mottur at Caroline.Mottur@kornferry.com.

This position requires a 6-month orientation and review period. The review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Salary and benefits are internationally competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest thathighlight the applicant's personal vision and relevant leadership experience.

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.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.

Return to Search Results