Summary of the Research Communications Manager, Reimagining the Economy Project job at Harvard University

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Kennedy School?

The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is one of 12 graduate and professional schools at the university. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. When you work at Harvard Kennedy School, you make a difference.

Job Description

The Reimagining the Economy Project (RtE) at the Harvard Kennedy School is recruiting a Research Translation Manager. RtE is a multi-year research initiative that explores local labor market, industrial, and development policies, combined with practitioner insights, to produce multidisciplinary scholarship to reshape narratives about how we achieve inclusive prosperity.

The project develops, integrates, and disseminates three kinds of knowledge: (1) systematic evidence on local labor market, industrial, and development policies in the U.S. and other national contexts; (2) the experiential knowledge of policy practitioners on questions of institutional constraints and opportunities; and (3) the perspectives of social and organizational theorists on the inequality-perpetuating features of existing institutions and possible alternative arrangements. We have created networks of policy practitioners who are active in experimenting with new approaches to local, regional, and national economic development.

The Center for International Development (CID) is Harvard University’s hub for cutting-edge research on the world’s most pressing international development issues. Based at Harvard Kennedy School, CID brings researchers and practitioners together across the university to collaborate, using the latest analytical tools to address pressing development challenges. CID organizes global talent worldwide by investing in people, places, and ideas to build a thriving world for all.

The successful applicant will work closely with the Reimagining the Economy Faculty Co-Directors, Director, graduate students, and other researchers within a tight-knit academic community spread across the Center for International Development and the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy. They will manage and contribute to the translation of the Project’s research and other activities into relevant insights or recommendations for stakeholders, including policymakers, economic practitioners, students, and other researchers. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Web Strategy, Management & Impact

• Lead research translation for the RtE’s various digital platforms, turning complex data and methods into clear, narrative-driven stories, “how-to” guides, and explainers for non-experts.
• Work in close collaboration with the RtE Director on all content strategy, structure, and key messaging for the main RtE website and related initiatives (including the Economy in Place platform and a new global economic transformation website).
• Manage and update website content to reflect current research, events, and opportunities.
• Create simple, repeatable workflows for turning new research and data into content packages, using AI tools where appropriate to increase speed and consistency.
• Independently work with data and design partners to develop and refine visualizations and interactive features that highlight key insights, policy-relevant patterns, and place-based stories.
• Use basic analytics and A/B testing (including AI-assisted tools where appropriate) to monitor engagement and iteratively improve the reach, clarity, and impact of RtE’s digital content.
• Manage relationships with communications directors of HKS and related HKS centers

Research Translation & Content Creation

• Translate complex RtE research (especially on industrial and place-based policy) into clear, engaging content for non-technical audiences (e.g., briefs, blog posts, newsletters, web copy, social media).
• Use AI tools (e.g., large language models, summarization, transcription) to build digital products, and draft, refine, and repurpose content while maintaining accuracy and nuance.
• Stay abreast of RtE’s research pipeline and relevant external developments to proactively identify high-impact opportunities for translation, visualization, and dissemination.

Storytelling, Interviews & Editorial Support

• Conduct interviews with policymakers, practitioners, and academics and convert them into compelling written, visual, or multimedia pieces.
• Provide editorial support and light project management for other contributors (faculty, practitioners, research assistants) to maintain a consistent voice, quality, and timelines. 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, or communications, journalism, or digital marketing
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in digital content creation or communications.
• Demonstrated experience with video editing tools and basic photography and video capture.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong writing and editing skills with experience producing content across multiple platforms.
• Experience working in higher education, politics, government, research communications, or mission-driven organizations.
• Ability to conduct interviews and translate source material into compelling narratives.
• Familiarity with digital analytics, SEO best practices, and audience development.
• Experience working on data visualizations and with AI tools
• Experience working collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed communications environment. 

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: Fully benefits eligible one year term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information: This position is fully on site/in-person 5 days/week and based on our campus in Cambridge, MA.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.