"Senior Director of Media Relations"

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
• 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.
• 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.