Job Summary

The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies Communications Manager plays a vital role in amplifyinh the work of the Center and its faculty, with the aim of bringing to life the center's activities and thought leadership. The Center is looking for an ambitious, creative, entrepreneurial communicator with journalistic skills, who is excited about creating interviews, blogs, videos, and social media to drive a conversation and understanding about China both at Harvard and beyond. Working collaboratively with senior leadership and staff, the Manager designs and implements the Center's communication and marketing strategy, managing communications outreach to Harvard faculty, students and alumni advisors, donors and prospects, educational and government institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public. The aim is to raise the profile of the Center by creating compelling content and broadening the audience reach. The Communications Manager reports to the Center's Executive Director.

The Manager proactively identifies communications opportunities, from Q&As with scholars to short videos and photos of our programs, bringing our work to life on our website and through vibrant social media posts. The Manager will produce blogposts and videos and also work to secure resources across the University and/or hire outside consultants and editors to help produce a regular stream of high-level, analytical content.

The Manager's activities and responsibilities will include all aspects of communications and marketing, including managing multimedia marketing and branding for the Center, as well as event promotion, newsletters, reports, press releases and correspondence, programmatic write-ups, enterprising pieces about programs and scholars, and maintenance of the Center's social media platforms and website.

Position Description

Communications Strategy: Develops the Center's overall outreach direction and enhances the Center's outreach to internal and external audiences. Develops and executes a communications strategy in accordance with the Fairbank Center's long-term mission and short-term goals to best amplify the Center's work, and to best position Center for key partnership opportunities.

Plans a strategy for producing and editing regular blogposts, Q&As, videos, social media posts, and a newsletter to raise the profile of the Center and its community of faculty and affiliates. Actively promotes the Center to external media partners. Produces communications on behalf of the Faculty Director, including occasional speeches. Authors the Fairbank Center's annual report, as well as donor reports when required. Writes and produces announcements and press releases with input from the Faculty Director and the Executive Director.

Digital Communications: Working with Executive Director, develops the strategic direction of the Fairbank Center's website and digital content. Oversees the design, development, and ongoing use of the Center's website, blog platform, podcast platform, and social media accounts. Produces engaging website and video content and oversees contributions from external writers and internal program coordinators. Identifies and works with outside vendors and center's IT staff to implement enhancement features for the website.

Podcast: Works with Executive Director and Faculty Director to relaunch the Fairbank Center podcast, choosing topics and guests; solicits submissions; researches topics for interviews; and produces podcast episodes for publication through the Fairbank's online audio channels. Manages a student worker to assist with podcast editing.

Brand Management: Independently develops, updates, and maintains Fairbank Center branding and branding priorities.

Media Strategy: Promotes the Center's presence in the media; is the first point of contact with internal Harvard and external media. Collaborates and serves as the Fairbank Center's liaison with Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, FAS Communications, and the other Asia-related and international studies centers, departments, and programs and other key constituents at Harvard.

Budget Management: Oversees budget for communications-related projects and programming (website, exhibitions, special events) and maintains financial documentation. Independently makes decisions on communications and website-related expenditures according to a budget defined by the Executive Director.

Database/ListServ Planning: Determines the optimal mix of databases and listservs for email, mail, and social media communication with the Center's community, China thought leaders, and peer institutions both domestically and in Asia. Develops content and distribution of newsletters and tracks and assesses feedback for greater impact.

Human Resources: Hires and manages student interns (averaging 2-3 interns a year), including assigning and reviewing work. Chooses and directs freelancers and relevant vendors.

Accessibility: Working with the Harvard Accessibility Office, monitors and improves the accessibility of content and serves as an accessibility liaison and resource to the Fairbank Center community.