Communications and Digital Director

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Communications & Digital Director leads CDT's communications strategy and external engagement, along with the management of the digital channels needed to reach educators, peers, the field, and the public. The Director serves as a key thought partner to CDT leadership in advancing its mission: helping youth thrive in a tech-filled world, with educators as essential partners. The Director strengthens CDT's position as a trusted amplifier of youth voices and supporter of educators. They share CDT's research, resources, and professional development offerings, and communicate research-based insights in an accessible and engaging way to help shift public discourse.

A senior role on a (small) nimble team, the Director sets strategy and also does much of the execution. They may be shaping launch messaging for a report one day and writing a newsletter the next. The Director supervises two student interns, coordinates media engagement with external support, and works with the Operations Coordinator on process and infrastructure. The role suits someone who collaborates well across functions and can balance communications priorities with the measured pace of a rigorous research-to-practice center.

The Director is also CDT's internal lead for the website, including helping to identify and work with an external vendor to manage a brand and digital refresh.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Communications Strategy and Planning (25%): Develop and implement CDT's communications strategy, with the goal of reshaping public discourse and building demand for evidence-based insights and interventions. Steward brand identity, messaging, and voice, and apply them consistently across channels. Set the editorial framework, including quarterly themes and how research releases, programs, and events map onto them. Lead quarterly and launch planning, and sequence campaigns so a single initiative is strategically supported across the web, email, social, and media. Own the intake relationship with the research team, including intake criteria and minimum lead times, and help prioritize communications requests against Center priorities. Collaborate with leadership on high-impact, translational applications of research, and define how success is measured.
• Writing, Editing, and Content (20%): Own the editorial calendar. Write and edit content for the website, newsletter, social channels, and support select presentations and research reports, as well as thought leadership pieces. Provide editorial direction and quality review for intern-produced content. Produce simple visuals and collateral using CDT templates, and determine when work may require the support of a designer.
• Digital Channels and Website (15%): Set the role and audience of each digital channel (website, email, social) and adjust the channel mix based on performance data. Serve as internal lead for the website refresh: set goals, write the vendor brief, review deliverables against CDT's objectives and voice, and manage scope, timeline, and internal review. Following launch, oversee the website's content, accessibility, and search visibility, and set email program priorities such as segmentation and list growth. Manage external web, design, and technology partners.
• External Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement (10%): Lead communications for strategic partnerships with funders, fellows, educators, and peer organizations, ensuring alignment with CDT objectives. Represent CDT at public events as needed and support communications for the CDT Fellows Program.
• Media Relations (10%): Support media engagement and coordination. Develop media prep materials for researchers, review press materials and pitches, and serve as the internal point of contact for media inquiries. With external support, build relationships with key journalists to help reflect more youth and educator perspectives in media stories.
• Fundraising and Development Support (10%): Work with leadership to integrate communications into fundraising and grant management. With leadership, help develop proposals for prospective funders, prepare impact and grant reports, including the annual impact report. Create funder/donor engagement materials that show progress and impact.
• Team, Systems, and Process (10%): Supervise two student interns, including scoping, direction, quality review, and onboarding. Design and document communications processes, such as research intake, launch sequencing, templates, and reviews and approvals, always rightsizing them for a small team. Coordinate with the Operations Coordinator and with partner organizations and consultants.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, strategy, or audience engagement, including experience setting communications strategy for an organization or major program, ideally within an academic, research, nonprofit, education, or thought leadership environment.
• A minimum of three years supervising staff or interns.
• Experience managing external vendors, agencies, or consultants, such as on a website, design, or media relations.
• Hands-on experience with content management systems, email newsletter platforms, social media tools, and digital analytics.

Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume showing that they meet the required basic qualifications. This is a one-year term position with a high possibility of extension.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience translating research for practitioner audiences, and the ability to write in an engaging, direct, non-promotional style.
• Experience leading a website project with an external vendor or agency.
• Experience building systems, workflows, and processes within a small or resource-constrained organization.
• Experience supporting fundraising through grant reports, impact reports, or funder materials.
• Editorial background or experience leading an editorial calendar is a plus.
• Experience in education or the technology sector is a plus.
• WordPress, Canva, Notion, Slack, Kit, and G-Suite preferred.
• Organized and process oriented, with strong written and verbal communication skills; collaborative and comfortable working in a growing organization.

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: One year from Date of Hire
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $113,000 - $116,000commensurate with experience
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity & Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that the duties and responsibilities can effectively be performed fully remotely at a non-Harvard location. Employees in fully remote positions must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location. 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 058. 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.

Salary Grade: 058