Communications & Engagement Specialist

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications & Engagement Specialist develops and delivers communications that advance Harvard Human Resources (HHR) programs, services, and organizational priorities. Reporting to the Associate Director of Communications, the position works with HHR subject matter experts and stakeholders across a broad range of HR topics and audiences, and provides operational support for key communications functions. The role requires a strong writer and highly organized communications professional who enjoys hands-on execution and brings project management skills, digital marketing expertise, attention to detail, and sound editorial judgment. It regularly involves confidential and sensitive information and requires discretion and sound judgment.

The specialist supports communications planning and content development across HHR areas including labor and employee relations, benefits and wellbeing, career and professional development, talent acquisition, and HR operations. The role creates and edits announcements, newsletters, web content, presentations, FAQs, talking points, and marketing materials. It also plans and executes email campaigns, including audience segmentation, personalization, list management, testing, scheduling, and quality assurance; coordinates HHR email communications; maintains templates and best practices; and uses engagement data to improve campaigns. The specialist develops, schedules, and publishes social media content, identifies storytelling opportunities, monitors engagement, and applies channel best practices to strengthen HHR's social media presence.

The role requires the ability to commute to the Harvard University campus on short notice as needed for communications-related activities. The position is hybrid. Work schedule and location are set by the department based on operational needs. When working outside a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard-registered state, subject to University policy and applicable sponsorship requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least three years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, public relations, digital communications, or related experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and content development skills.
• Experience creating and managing content across multiple communications channels.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and drive projects to completion.
• Strong client service orientation and stakeholder relationship management skills.
• Understanding of digital communications best practices, web content strategy, accessibility standards, and branding principles.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to commute to the Harvard University campus on short notice, as needed, for communications-related activities.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Drupal or similar content management systems.
• Experience developing newsletters, website content, and promotional communications.
• Comfort using AI tools and emerging technologies to support communications and content development.

Responsibilities

• Support communications planning and content development for HHR teams across labor and employee relations, benefits and wellbeing, career and professional development, talent acquisition, and HR operations.
• Write, edit, and produce announcements, newsletters, web content, presentations, FAQs, talking points, and marketing materials.
• Develop and execute email campaigns from planning through deployment, including audience segmentation, personalization, list management, testing, scheduling, and quality assurance.
• Coordinate HHR email communications and maintain templates and best practices for timing, audience targeting, and accessibility.
• Monitor email campaign performance and use engagement data and audience insights to improve content, targeting, timing, and effectiveness.
• Develop, schedule, and publish social media content promoting HHR programs and resources.
• Identify content and storytelling opportunities across social channels.
• Monitor social media engagement and apply channel best practices and performance insights to strengthen HHR's social media presence.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level