Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

Job SummaryHarvard Divinity School seeks an innovative, thoughtful, and forward-thinking Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO) to creatively elevate the school's mission, research, and contributions to their fields of study to the public in creative ways to expand the global reach of the school. As part of the leadership team and reporting directly to the Dean, the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at HDS will lead communication strategies and advise senior leaders and colleagues on various initiatives to champion the school's mission, academic offerings, research endeavors, faculty, students, alumni, and noteworthy events to both internal and external stakeholders. Heading a high performing team of 8, the CCMO will oversee and develop communication strategy and execution, crisis management, media relations, and engagement campaigns, engaging diverse and unique audiences. Additionally, the CCMO will lead internal communications, publications, the Harvard Theological Review, project management, admissions, and development communications.Constituencies are broad-ranging and diverse, including faculty, staff, students, Harvard University agencies and departments, the news media, alumni, friends, financial supporters, and the public—locally, nationally, and globally. The CCMO partners with Harvard Public Affairs and Communications and the HDS associate dean for development and external relations regarding media events, external relations, and campaign communications strategy and implementation. The CCMO serves as public information officer for the school, actively supporting and participating in university-wide communications meetings and planning activities. The CCMO provides vision and conducts long-range planning for School publications, while also supervising production details with the staff and/or relevant contract employees. This position also works closely with the director of information technology and media services, leading communications, and IT staff in expanding the attractiveness and usability of the HDS websites.

The CCMO serves as the school's principal communications strategist and advisor, developing creative strategies to promote the school's vision, priorities and identity and brand, through visual, verbal, digital, and printed media, and messages—including digital content, events, and publications—to ensure that HDS is recognized as a thought leader and to build awareness of and engagement with HDS's mission and priorities.Position DescriptionCommunications and Marketing StrategyProvides strategic communications leadership and creative marketing and outreach for the school's programs and functional areas, including Development and External Relations, Admissions, Diversity Inclusion and Belonging, and HDS degree Programs. Helps to direct the school's branding and position for fundraising and admissions, building awareness of and engagement with HDS priorities.Develops and implements internal communications strategies and tools (incl newsletters and the school's intranet) to ensure that HDS staff, students, and faculty are aware of School programs and priorities and to foster a strong sense of community. Develops internal communications plans to support the dean; works with the Office of the Dean and communications colleagues to develop messaging, briefings, draft dean's statements, and remarks and prepare longer-term addresses.Develops and executes a comprehensive digital and social media strategy, enhancing understanding of the digital landscape, audience engagement, and analytics utilization. Provides strategic guidance and resources to foster innovation and the adoption of new technologies and ideas. Ensure all digital content and platforms are accessible and meet the standards set by Harvard's Digital Accessibility Policy.Oversees a publications and editorial strategy for the school that promotes quality and consistency in editorial content and design, efficiency of production, and adherence to production deadlines and allocated budget.Public Affairs, Media Relations, and Issues ManagementProvides strategic advice and guidance to the dean, senior managers and faculty on issues management and crisis communications and align internal communications and media relations strategies and plans.In consultation with Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, manages responses to any School-related incidents that may attract off-campus or University-wide media attention. In consultation with HPAC, the Dean of Divinity, and the school's administrative dean and director of operations, helps manage the flow and control of information at times when University emergency procedures are in effect.Oversees local, national, and international media relations plans designed to give appropriate visibility to HDS's faculty members, academic programs, research programs, and student and alumni life.MarketingAs marketing director for the school, develops plans to understand and act upon trends and developments in the field of graduate religious education worldwide.Develops and promotes the

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