Communications / Graduate Program Assistant

The Communications and Graduate Program Assistant manages and supports the Department's overall communications strategy to promote, enhance, and facilitate internal and external communications, and provides support to graduate students and the Graduate Program in English.

 

In the role of Communications Assistant, the candidate will work on initiatives that support and facilitate communications between the Department and its members, including faculty, staff and students, the greater Harvard community, and the public, and maximize outreach and visibility for departmental research, events, activities and other information. Typical duties and responsibilities include: working with administrative staff, faculty, and students to create and compile content for communications platforms; serving as primary department liason with Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) and Harvard Web Publishing (HWP); maintaining the departmental website, including making updates and working with HWP on redesign as needed; developing and maintaining departmental SharePoint site; updating online calendars for internal and public events; co-producing weekly e-newsletter; managing social media channels; maintaining departmental email lists; handling correspondence for Chair, including meeting reminders and dissemination of meeting minutes and related materials. 

 

In the role of Graduate Program Assistant, the candidate will handle many of the daily operations of the Graduate Program. Typical duties and responsibilities include: setting up meetings and organizing schedules; collecting information; assisting with admissions, recruitment, and professionalization activities; event planning; assisting with Teaching Fellow assignments; updating and maintaining databases, files, online calendar, and information for web and printed materials; providing basic technical assistance with OpenScholar; responding to inquiries about the graduate program; providing administrative support to graduate seminars, colloquia, committees, and symposia; producing annual newsletter. 

The Communications and Graduate Program Assistant reports to the Department Administrator and the Graduate Program Administrator. May perform additional tasks and other duties as required.

3+ years of administrative experience in an office environment (education may count towards experience).

BA/BS strongly preferred. Administrative experience in an academic environment a plus. Communications experience. 

Excellent time management and interpersonal skills; ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and meet deadlines with minimal supervision; demonstrated initiative and attention to detail; ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion; ability to work across teams and with a variety of projects and constituencies. Willingness to learn to use new software as needed.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Solid writing, editing,and proofreading skills.

Experience with SharePoint Team Collaboration software or similar document management and storing system; MailChimp or similar email marketing platform; Open Scholar and/or similar content management systems and basic HTML editing.

Experience with or willingness to learn Qualtrics or other survey/data collection tool; image editing and desktop publishing software such as Photoshop, inDesign, Illustrator.

Experience with project management, event planning and promotion helpful. 

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/. 

 

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.