Senior Director of Media Relations & Communications

Overview

Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard Law School?
Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.

The Senior Director of Media Relations & Communications is responsible for developing and executing integrated public and media relations efforts to advance Harvard Law School’s (HLS) mission and key priorities. This role is a key member of the Harvard Law School (HLS) communications team and serves as a media and communications strategist for colleagues across the school. Working collaboratively alongside communications office colleagues and stakeholders across HLS, the Senior Director’s primary responsibilities include issues management and crisis communications;

media relations, including serving as the primary HLS media contact and spokesperson; content creation, including community messages, talking points, news articles, and op-eds; and the development and implementation of proactive communications strategies and tactics in support of the Law School, its leadership, and its many programs and initiatives.

As a Senior Director of Media Relations & Communications you will:

• Manage and release news to external media, fielding day-to-day media inquiries.
• Play a lead role in the Law School’s issues management and crisis communications efforts, responding proactively and creatively in a fast-paced media environment.
• Serve as a vital member of the emergency and crisis communications teams.
• In collaboration with the Associate Dean for Communications and Public Affairs, help strategize and implement communications and media relations efforts in support of the Dean and other HLS leaders.
• Develop communications plans and key messages in support of HLS programs and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with a broad number of constituents within the Law School – including faculty, staff, and students – to identify and promote newsworthy stories. Work with individual faculty members to help share their scholarship and expertise.
• Write news releases, media statements, talking points, speeches, op-eds, briefing materials, Q&As, internal communications, and other materials for internal and external audiences.
• Develop and edit news articles and other content for digital and print publications and channels.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with international, national, regional, local, and industry news media.
• Serve as a member of the HLS Communications Office leadership team.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years’ experience in a related field, along with effective management/leadership experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Successful track record as a leader and strategist in a large, complex organization and experience creating and executing strategic communications plans to drive proactive narratives and to respond to complex issues.
• Crisis communications and issues management acumen and experience.
• Strong organizational and planning skills and an ability to set priorities and manage multiple, often competing demands and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and often under tight deadlines and pressure.
• Strong judgment and an extremely high level of professionalism, diplomacy, discretion, collegiality, and problem-solving ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven success in developing collaborative relationships across diverse constituencies.
• Ability to advise senior leaders effectively as well as to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, listen carefully, and influence…