Communications Officer

Position Overview:

MIT seeks a creative and strategic Communications Officer to amplify its groundbreaking research and education in health and life sciences for the Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub (50% effort).

The Communications Officer will lead the strategic development, implementation, and management of all communications for the Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub.  This role offers an opportunity to increase visibility and drive engagement for both initiatives through dynamic content creation, digital strategy, media outreach, marketing campaigns, and collaborative storytelling. The Communications Officer will lead the development and execution of comprehensive communications plans while building strong connections across MIT and beyond.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**):

 The Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub’s Communications Officer plays a crucial role in managing and executing communications strategies for the Hub, collaborating closely with a range of stakeholders across MIT to align on communications priorities and strategy. 

Specific duties include:

 Strategic Communications and Outreach

●        Work with leadership to develop and implement a targeted, long-range outreach and communication plan to effectively engage, promote visibility and awareness of the Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub, as well as project-specific communications plans that support strategic creation and implementation.

●        Develop and implement communications and outreach strategies tailored to multiple audiences, including clinicians, researchers, faculty, students, philanthropic funders, investors, and the media.

●        With the Senior Program Manager, manage and organize all major events and seminars; tasks include event space acquisition and managing event logistics.

●        Lead design advertising strategy and recruitment communications campaigns for all major events and seminars.

●        Manage the production of various outreach materials, including semi-annual reports, brochures, invitations, signage, and other promotional materials. Act as the main point of contact for content, design, layout, structure, distribution, editing, and overall look and feel.

●        With the Program Administrator, handle communication aspects of RFP and project selection process.

●        Engage with faculty, students, industry, media, and other stakeholders to highlight the Hub’s activities and outcomes.

●        Maintain Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub documentation; track and file news items relating to the Hub personnel and research, publish to social media; curate photo and video library.

●        Network with and influence stakeholders to achieve communications/marketing objectives.

●        Maintain a deep understanding of marketing communications industry trends, project budgets, and financials.

Content Creation

●        Conceptualize, write, and edit content highlighting relevant announcements, research outcomes, events, and community members for MIT News, the Hub’s website, and digital platforms.

●        Lead complex communications projects, including vendor coordination, budgeting, and scheduling.

●        Serve as primary liaison between Hub and Office for Innovation and Strategy, MIT News Office, Institute Office of Communications, and MIT Alumni Association.

●        Ensure that the Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub’s content is consistent with MIT’s overall marketing initiatives and peer universities' practices.

●        Coordinate with other MIT communications offices to ensure consistent messaging.

Digital Strategy

●        Oversee all Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub digital properties, including the main website and associated program/event webpages or standalone sites. Ensure content accuracy and consistency across all platforms/properties

●        Develop the Hub’s online presence, both web and social media; identify vendors and consultants to create a clear and unified brand; manage day-to-day updates and major revisions of the Hub’s website; advise community on best practices.

●        Create and execute a social media strategy across platforms to promote news, events, and program milestones.

●        Create and manage a wide range of digital communication products, including newsletters, social media content, update reports, and images and videos.

●        Develop and execute media outreach strategies to generate mainstream and industry media coverage for the Hub’s outcomes.

●        Coordinate with MIT HEALS communications staff on MIT HEALs led social media and media outreach campaigns to ensure consistent messaging across MIT.  

●         Analysis and Reporting

●        Collects, reviews, and analyzes data and metrics on effectiveness of various communications vehicles or campaign performance; uses data to inform recommendations for communications/marketing strategy or areas of improvement.Assesses new standards, technologies, and trends in online communities.

●        Manages budget for specific events, project, or programs.

●        Other duties as needed or required.

Supervision Received:

The Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub Senior Program Manager will provide supervision. This position requires the ability to perform work independently with minimal supervision.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Qualifications & Skills:

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

●        Bachelor’s degree (Master’s desirable) in English, communications, journalism, or similar field.

●        At least five years’ professional communications experience in higher education or at a research institution or in journalism, public relations, or marketing. Experience planning and implementing communications strategies.

●        Ability to communicate, edit, and present directly and eloquently (written and spoken).

●        Experience with print and digital communication, user interface trends, and web design best practices.

●        Ability to translate complex technical ideas into clear language (experience in science journalism a plus).

●        Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team, build productive relationships with faculty/staff/external audiences.

●        Strong organizational, interpersonal, and diplomacy skills.

●        Experience with social media content creation, monitoring, metrics, and reporting.

●        Discretion with confidential information.

●        Demonstrated design skills and proficiency using Adobe Creative Suite and other modern tools.

●        Experience using HTML and CMS. 

May be required to work on nights and weekends.  Limited travel may also be required.