Communications Manager

Harvard University

Communications Manager
Campus Services
58172BR

Job Summary

Harvard University Housing (HUH) is a department of Campus Services. HUH's role is to support the University's educational and research efforts by offering Harvard affiliates a wide array of housing choices in University-owned properties which are responsively and efficiently managed, competitively priced, and which offer community building programming for residents. In addition, HUH facilitates awareness of and access to rental and for-sale housing opportunities in Cambridge, Boston, and surrounding communities. HUH seeks to provide housing services that enhance the Harvard experience and is committed to diversity, equity, belonging and inclusive excellence.

There are four key teams within HUH - Leasing, Property Operations, Faculty Real Estate Services (FRES) and the Graduate Commons Program (GCP). The Leasing & Operations teams manage the leasing, occupancy, and maintenance of an urban market-rate portfolio of approximately 2,900 apartments and 120 graduate student dorm rooms. FRES offers an array of valued real estate services to the broader University community and supports the University's faculty recruiting efforts. The GCP is a unique interdisciplinary community building program for all Harvard graduate students, faculty, staff, and their families living in HUH properties and sets the portfolio apart from housing options available to the graduate student population in the private market.
Position Description


External Communications

• Communicate and interact regularly with University officials, faculty, staff, and students, external organizations, and the public on a variety of matters, including providing information and specific responses to urgent and sensitive issues. Serve as a principle source of information as a representative of the senior management team and may handle emergency communications, requiring judgment and prompt decision-making.
• Act as HUH liaison with Harvard Public Affairs and Communications to ensure appropriateness of content and timing of communications as needed and engage when communications to applicants/residents may be sensitive.
• Work with Leasing, Operations, GCP, and Faculty Real Estate Services on communications to residents, applicants, and the wider Harvard community.
• Create and issue scheduled, templated and ad-hoc communications to residents and applicants regarding key activities, leasing deadlines, policy changes, seasonal events, etc.
• Create and manage a calendar of communications with the various professional schools regarding the opening of the annual leasing season, sublets, admit day webinars, etc.
• Work with Leasing and Operations to craft responses to tenant complaints when necessary.

Internal (HUH) Communications

• Craft internal communications as needed, including updates from HUH or University leadership, organizational changes, policy updates, staffing changes, employee surveys, etc.
• Provide talking points for internal teams regarding substantive policy changes.
• Create, manage, and maintain HUH contact list, organizational chart and departmental overviews, descriptions, and briefing data.

Project-Based

• Develop and enact time-limited or project-based communication plans as needed to support temporary policy changes, sublet kits, capital projects or initiatives impacting residents, etc.
• Manage all aspects of creating resident welcome materials, reviewing, and updating periodically to ensure visual appeal and usefulness.
• Create content for topic-specific webinars; run training sessions for the participating HUH staff members

Marketing

• Market University owned or sponsored properties and external service partnerships, working with Harvard Public and Community Affairs if and as necessary.
• Market HUH housing information via webinars, postings on school websites, admit flyers, etc.

Surveys

• Use Survey Monkey, Qualtrics or similar software to design, administer, and analyze annual and ad-hoc resident and staff surveys.

Brand Management

• Create and manage content for the public facing web site and other digital presence as required.
• Collaborate with Business Systems Manager and colleagues from Harvard University IT in periodic site upgrades
• Ensure all collateral and materials are consistent with defined brand standards.
• Coordinate and manage photo shoots, video walkthroughs and efforts to feature HUH properties and services
• Ensure that signage and print materials adhere to brand standards, manage procurement and distribution of materials.
• Understanding of and adherence to accessibility requirements for presentations and HUH's digital presence.

Other

• Participate in the Campus Services communications team meetings to collaborate on Campus Services programs and communications.
• Participate in leasing team meetings to understand and respond to changing policies, etc.
• Respond on behalf of HUH to requests for building access, floor plans, and other information by students, faculty, and others.
• Liaise with other University departments such as Transportation Services, the Property Information Resource Center, the graduate schools, Dining Services, HPAC, the Trademark Office, Health Services, Sustainability, to ensure accuracy of HUH materials.
• Collaborate with senior staff to create presentations for organizational purposes.
• Work with partner organizations on special projects.
• Participate in cross-team collaborations as needed.

Basic Qualifications
BA in communications or related field required with 5+ years of related experience.



Additional Qualifications and Skills

Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated editing experience. Must be able to work with a diverse population across all levels of the organization; must be able to manage multiple responsibilities, set priorities, take initiative, juggle priorities, and meet deadlines. Must have demonstrated experience managing detailed complex and nuanced communications across a variety of media and platforms. Knowledge of marketing principles and experience with real estate leasing and management highly desirable. Experience managing an organizational social media presence is a plus, as is experience with graphic design. Experience in higher ed or navigating similarly complex institutions also a plus.

Technology Skills: Must be highly proficient in the Microsoft Office software suite (i.e. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), and have demonstrated experience with webinar creation and strong working knowledge of Zoom, Drupal, Qualtrics, Constant Contact, Survey Monkey and similar tools and applications.


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.

Job Function
Communications

Sub Unit
Harvard University Housing

Location
USA - MA - Cambridge

Department
HUH

Time Status
Full-time

Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Employment, 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.

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