Sr. IT Strategic Communications and Training Manager

Position Description

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) is looking for a dynamic, experienced Strategic Communications & Training Manager to join our Information Technology department (HKSIT). As part of the department's Strategy team, you will play a key role in communications, knowledge sharing, strategy development, shaping and deploying major initiatives such as cybersecurity and digital accessibility, and driving training and adoption at the School.

The role develops key strategies and execution plans to ensure the community is proactively informed of HKSIT activities and services. Additionally, they work with key stakeholders to identify and develop plans which address emerging training needs to support the school's Teaching & Learning and Research missions.

Essential Functions:

General

• Lead HKSIT Service and project communications with the HKS community
• Lead training for services offered by HKSIT
• Lead service and projects documentation in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Work with HKSIT and Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) teams to ensure timely and consistent messaging around service offerings and projects.
• Seek opportunities for continuous service improvement by actively reviewing communications and training strategies across the HKSIT portfolio and working with business and service owners as well as HKSIT teams to effect change.
• Lead development of strategic and impactful communication.
• Collaborate with and support HKSIT team and the IT Affinity Group.
• Support other initiatives as needed.

Communications

• Develop and maintain a strategic communications plan for all HKSIT messaging.
• Develop, maintain, and evaluate both one-time and regular communications to business owners, HKSIT teams, department heads and executives, and the HKS community using multiple communications channels, including email, in-person, social media, our intranet, and newsletters, in support of new and existing services across the HKSIT service portfolio.
• Partner across the HKSIT and HUIT teams to develop, review and/or send communications to impacted stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
• Build and leverage relationships across the IT team, School and University to learn about and effectively communicate changes, incidents, and other information that needs to be shared in a timely manner.
• Work with internal partners to draft policies and standards for outward communications to the HKS Community around topics including change and incident management.
• Analyze and leverage data from IT Services and other areas to develop impactful communications
• Lead impactful reports highlighting HKSIT accomplishments

Knowledge

• Participate in developing documentation and materials to share institutional knowledge pertaining to the HKSIT Service Portfolio.
• Play a key role in guiding the development of user-friendly content.
• Curate content on the HKSIT site on the HKS intranet, core website, and other channels.
• Support continuous knowledge transfer across the HKSIT team enhance and improve service to the HKS community.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of five years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong dedication to customer service.
• Required and demonstrated experience with highly organized, engaging and effective technical training delivery to diverse audiences.
• Required and demonstrated experience with change management initiatives and common change management methodologies.
• Highly self-motivated and self-directed in the pursuit of excellence.
• Strong maturity, professionalism, and judgment.
• Meticulous attention to detail and organization.
• Openly embraces change.
• Proven ability to present ideas and educational topics in multiple formats, including in-person presentations to large audiences and in writing, in business- and user-friendly language.
• Proven ability to independently and effectively prioritize, organize, coordinate and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment with constant deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Proven experience working collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Proven proactive problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of current IT concepts and the ability to stay current with the latest technologies and trends.
• Basic understanding and technical knowledge of current network and operating systems, hardware, account management, and enterprise software.
• Experience working with project teams.
• Experience in a higher-education environment is desirable, but a fresh perspective is also welcome.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to individually lift and move computer equipment up to 50 pounds, and periodically up to 100 pounds with the assistance of others

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting
• Occasionally required to work outside of normal business hours, and may be called during off hours

Additional Information

(Continued from Duties and Responsibilities section above:)

Training

• Identify opportunities and training needs within HKS user community. Leverage HUIT resources for commonly used tools at Harvard.
• Develop and provide trainings for select HKS custom tools. Create supporting materials and videos as needed.
• Partner with the HKSIT teams to provide training resources and engagement opportunities for onboarding incoming students and new faculty and staff.
• Offer periodic information sessions about IT topics in partnership with subject matter experts.

Change Management

• Partner with Service Owners and Project Managers to develop timely and effective communications and trainings in support of new/enhanced services and projects.
• Plan and support the transition of new or enhanced services from communication and training perspective.
• Partner with the HKSIT project management team on change management deliverables, as needed.
• Document strategies and best practices to ensure lessons learned can be applied to future initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, trusting culture in which change management can be conducted smoothly.

We regret that the Harvard Kennedy School does not provide visa sponsorship.

Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background checks.

Harvard University is committed to supporting a healthy, sustainable learning and working environment.

This is a hybrid position based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. As a campus-based institution, we place a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building in order to create a vibrant campus for our students, faculty, staff, and research fellows. The position is required to work in-person on campus a minimum of three days per week during the academic year. Specific days and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Salary Range : $87,700 - $150,900

Note: Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.