"Director of Communications and Engagement"

Job Description

The Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society (BKC) at Harvard University is seeking a Director to lead its communications, engagement, and dissemination efforts. This role will shape a clear and compelling narrative about the Center, raise and hone the Center’s public profile, expand and deepen its reach among practitioners and scholars, and promote the use of BKC’s research, insights, and technological tools to advance the Center’s mission.

As Director of Communications and Engagement you will:

• Shape and steward the Center’s narrative and brand to ensure it is compelling, clear, consistent, and resonant across platforms, audiences, and geographies.
• Create and execute a robust media relations and digital engagement strategy positioning BKC as an innovative, public-interested thought leader, center of research and education, and real-world problem solver.
• Develop and drive a strategic stakeholder engagement plan to deliver and amplify BKC's research, ideas, education, and technologies among key audiences and platforms where they can have the greatest real-world impact.
• Guide the creation of compelling content that draws on the BKC’s network, research, teaching materials, events, and impact stories to drive engagement across channels, constituencies, and platforms.
• Produce high-quality promotional materials and identify public speaking and engagement opportunities that showcase BKC’s experts, work and community.
• Oversee the redesign and updating of BKC’s website.
• Design and manage organizational infrastructure and working processes to execute the communications and engagement plans and support high standards quality.
• Serve as a member of the BKC Senior Leadership Team and as a public-facing representative of BKC’s editorial voice, where appropriate.
• Develop and lead a high-performing team and manage relationships with vendors, creative partners, Harvard-affiliated faculty and labs, and internal Center teams.
• Manage, in partnership with the Finance Director, 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.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8 years’ experience in communications, public relations, journalism or related field. Graduate degree in policy, law, technology, or communications may count toward years of experience. Supervisory experience is also required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:

• Broad knowledge of the public and policy conversations as well as industry and civil society thinking and developments in the fields of digital technology, especially artificial intelligence and social media, as well as the ability to effectively communicate that knowledge to diverse public and private audiences.
• Exceptional initiative, creative thinking, strategic planning, organizational skills, and can-do attitude.
• Success in building and engaging communities, cultivating high-value relationships, and creating tailored outreach strategies.
• Excellence and innovation in the field of communications and media relations including communications strategy, organizational storytelling across multiple media platforms, press engagement and public relations, and hands-on execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong judgment, ethical standards, discretion, and tact.
• Experience in team management and fostering professional growth.

Additional Information

Appointment End Date: As with all Berkman Klein Center positions, this is a term appointment expected to extend through 6/30/26 with potential for renewal, subject to departmental funding and need.
Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Work Format Details: This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States.
Salary Grade: 059.
Benefits: Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off, medical insurance, retirement plans, and more.