Public Affairs and Strategic Outreach Manager

Reporting to the Managing Director of Intergovernmental Relations & Strategic Outreach, the Public Affairs and Strategic Outreach Manager will execute and manage a range of projects, communications, campaigns and activities supporting initiatives and priorities within Harvard’s public affairs portfolio. This person will serve as a liaison connecting state and local government relations as well as community relations and programming efforts. They will strategize, plan, and execute events, campaigns, and outreach designed to foster local engagement in addition to working closely with colleagues across the department in developing strategies in response to or in furtherance of University priorities.

Position Description

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions*):

• Designs and executes project plans (including external facing events and communications in addition to department-led initiatives) which support public affairs goals and help to translate the University’s educational mission.
• Connects long term priorities to opportunities for engagement and outreach. Monitors and identifies announcements, policy developments, and issues of interest to the University and develops and implements event, outreach, and/or work plans that support local engagement goals across Cambridge, Boston, and Massachusetts.
• Manages Harvard Public Affairs and Communication (HPAC) professional memberships, strategic execution of the community affairs contributions portfolio, and their relationship to external community partners.
• Facilitates, oversees, and ensures execution of all logistics, administrative tasks, and staffing related to events or outreach.
• Work with appropriate colleagues within the department and across the university to conceptualize engagement opportunities, ensure effective communications, participation, and visibility.
• Interacts with leaders within HPAC, professional staff within Central Administration and across the University collecting information and intelligence to inform content production, planning, and execution.
• Conducts independent research and consultations with contacts across the University and create presentations and briefings for internal and external audiences as it relates to Harvard’s priorities; provide succinct and timely information to University leadership about public affairs topics as needed.
• Drafts event and issue briefings for University leadership and principals.
• Proactively drives execution of department priorities including project management, agenda setting, and project timelines.
• May represent the public affairs team in select meetings both internal to HPAC and external (in Harvard and community at large). Manages outside consultants as necessary and in concert with HPAC colleagues.
• Work on other special projects for the department as needed.
• Attend meetings and briefings in person as needed.
• Maintain a hybrid work schedule in alignment with HPAC’s departmental policies for in-person work.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required with a minimum of 4 or more years project management and/or leadership experience preferably in a government, external relations, or communications work setting.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Proven ability to take initiative in driving projects forward
• Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with a variety of projects and constituencies.
• Excellent computer skills including Office, databases with ability to work with a variety of presentation and project management programs (i.e. PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Asana).
• Must be motivated to learn and flexible to change.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• High attention to detail (including copyediting) and strong organization skills.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts and greater Boston’s regional ecosystem and stakeholders.
• Must be innovative, strategic and conceptually manage multiple projects simultaneously and handle difficult situations with a high level of professionalism.
• Experience managing projects from initiation to completion.

Additional Information

Job Function

Communications, General Administration

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

319057 Public/Media Information

Sub-Unit

Harvard Public Affairs and Communications

Department

Harvard Public Affairs and Communications

Time Status

Full-time

Salary Grade

057

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.