Digital Strategist, Content and Marketing Strategy

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

As part of Harvard Alumni Affairs and Development’s Advancement Communications Content and Marketing Strategy team, the Digital Strategist leads the creation and management of digital content across email, social media, and web channels. The role develops short-form writing, video, digital assets, and social media Reels and Stories, and oversees the day-to-day management of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) and Harvard College Alumni (HCA) social media channels. It designs and executes cross-channel marketing content and strategies that strengthen storytelling, alumni and donor engagement, and alignment with HAA and Faculty of Arts and Sciences priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director, Content and Marketing Strategy, the Digital Strategist combines writing, editorial judgment, visual storytelling, and marketing expertise to advance awareness of Harvard news, initiatives, and resources and encourage alumni participation in University, HAA, and FAS programs. The position manages social channels reaching more than 260,000 followers, produces and optimizes short-form video, plans event marketing content, maintains calendars and production schedules, and measures performance through analytics and social listening. It collaborates with AA&D and University partners, mentors student content producers, and provides direction to the CMS Staff Assistant on social media and digital content support.

The position is hybrid, with work location and schedule determined by the department based on operational needs. Evening and weekend work is required at least once or twice monthly, including on-site event coverage in Cambridge. The role must also be on-site for Harvard Class Day, Commencement, Reunions, and Harvard Alumni Day for most days from the last full week of May through the first Saturday in June. Standard hours are 35 per week.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in marketing, communications, content strategy, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Strong experience developing written communications for digital marketing channels.
• Experience writing marketing copy for email and/or social media, preferably both.
• Evening and weekend work at least once or twice monthly, including on-site event coverage in Cambridge outside standard office hours.
• On-site coverage of Harvard Class Day, Commencement, Reunions, and Harvard Alumni Day in Cambridge for most days from the last full week of May through the first Saturday in June.
• Strong writing and multimedia skills and ability to adapt voice and tone to the audience.
• Strong project management, partnership-building, interpersonal, organization, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness of diversity issues within the internal and external Harvard community.
• Ability to use social media metrics to adapt and shift strategy.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a complex organizational environment.
• Sound judgment and ability to evaluate problems accurately.
• Flexibility, adaptability, ability to prioritize, and ability to handle multiple tasks under deadline pressure.
• Interest in staying current with marketing best practices and a learning mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Experience overseeing strategy for Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads.
• Demonstrable success building engaged communities across social networks.
• Adobe Creative Cloud experience.
• Experience using social media management, listening, and analytics platforms such as Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout.

Responsibilities

• Manage HAA and HCA social media channels, creating engaging written, visual, and multimedia content aligned with HAA and FAS strategies.
• Create, curate, write, and manage marketing content for email, digital newsletters, social media, web, and selected print platforms.
• Develop marketing emails, social posts, and web content for HAA and College alumni, independently and in collaboration with AA&D partner teams.
• Produce multimedia assets, including graphics, photography, and video, for HAA and HCA marketing channels.
• Manage social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and emerging platforms, and lead audience growth and engagement strategies.
• Produce, edit, and optimize short-form video and social-first content, including Reels and Stories, covering campus life, events, and alumni stories.
• Manage content calendars, production schedules, and day-to-day audience engagement, including curating, drafting, and posting content and monitoring and responding across social channels and email newsletters.
• Steward and refine voice, tone, and messaging across social accounts.
• Maintain knowledge of University-wide programs and priorities and inform content strategy, themes, and story selection for newsletters and campaigns.
• Plan and execute paid and organic social media campaigns with CMS project leads to drive engagement and participation in HAA events and programs.
• Build and maintain working relationships with the University’s public affairs office (HPAC) social media partners.
• Oversee and mentor student content producers during the academic year, providing guidance, feedback, and coordination.
• Lead social listening and analytics, monitor platform performance, produce regular reports, and inform HPAC and AA&D senior leadership about trends, risks, and opportunities related to major University news and initiatives.
• Provide direction to the CMS Staff Assistant on social media and digital content support.
• Contribute to special projects with CMS team leadership and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision 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