Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Manager

Job Summary:

The mission of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is to advance the public's health through learning, discovery and communication. To pursue the mission, the School produces knowledge through research then translates this knowledge into evidence that can be communicated to the public, policymakers, and practitioners to advance the health of populations

The François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University was founded as the first university-wide center committed to exploring the interdependence of health and human rights. For more than 30 years it has sought to uphold the rights and dignity of every individual, paying special attention to children and their families. 

Our scholarship evolves as do global challenges—continuing to focus on urgent and overlooked priorities that keep our work relevant, impactful, and at the forefront of the health and human rights discourse. Yet our founding mission—to champion health and human rights for the world’s most vulnerable with a special emphasis on children– remains as vital as ever.

The Manager of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications will support the FXB Center's Leadership as a thought partner on strategic communication including writing, presentation assistance, website maintenance, media relations, coordination support on new initiatives, and day-to-day administrative support.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Manager of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications will be responsible for a wide range of complex and confidential communications and administrative duties to support the management and smooth operations of the Center and the FXB Executive Director. This individual will proactively anticipate and resolve problems and update the FXB management accordingly.

Specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support key public relations and communications needs of the FXB Leadership. Lead writer for the Center’s website and communications products. The Manager of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications will be familiar with all the different facets and projects of the Center in order to ensure timely and relevant communication to outside constituents
• Through social media and other communications tools, promotes the concept of health and human rights, particularly in the Center’s core areas of focus. Drafts press releases and coordinates outreach to media in close communication with the FXB Executive Director. Keep current on trends, research and scientific news in health and human rights in order to create timely social media but also to alert the FXB Executive Director (and others as designated) on critical breaking news and research.
• Provides communications support to key strategic initiatives. Designated point person for communications related to FXB led research and scholarship. Anticipates needs and provides brainstorming and thought leadership support: maps potential funders and engages in fundraising activities, including grant application and proposal writing
• Supports the FXB Center Executive Director and Leadership in fostering and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders across the university. Reviews, assesses, routes, answers and monitors follow up action steps on correspondence for FXB Leadership. Serves as a key source of information for stakeholders (faculty, students, staff, journalists, funders and other external partners) as needed.
• Aids in finalizing speaker documents, coordinating with event organizers on locations, times, prep work and expectations. Ensures seamless engagement logistics for FXB Leadership.
• Prepares memos, presentations, draft talking points, and provides research support as needed to assist the FXB Leadership in finalizing speeches, presentations, articles, etc. Familiar with the research areas and able to make recommendations on content to include as needed
• Performs other duties as needed  

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of one year from date of hire with the possibility of extension. Shortlisted canddiates will be required to submit a writing sample. More details will be shared in the interview process.