Full-Time Communications Director
Job Description
Position Description
Harmony Institute is on a mission to discover the patterns and principles that underlie the interaction of media and society and the emergence of culture, leveraging the massive volumes of data today’s media generate. We are an independent applied research lab, and we are currently seeking a strong, strategic communicator to play a key role in growing the Institute’s networks.
The Communications Director will be skilled at synthesizing and distilling complex ideas for diverse audiences in the business, academic, media and social development sectors. They will be an outstanding story-teller, and persuasive in person, in writing, and with images. Fluent in all current communications media, the Communications Director will create synergies by working across them, as well as with in-person engagement contexts, like conferences, webinars, speakers’ series and retreats. They will be responsible for designing, executing, testing and continuously improving an innovative, multi-modal communications strategy that activates all the Institute’s assets, to increase external interest, participation, engagement and support.
The Communications Director will plan and oversee marketing of the Institute’s digital products and tools. They will work closely with project teams to maximize the communications potential of research outputs and project artifacts, leveraging internal talent to amplify the Institute’s communications power. The Communications Director’s responsibilities will extend to all the Institute’s communications channels, systems and content, including websites, blogs, grant proposals, reports, publications, articles, interviews, email newsletters, visualizations, interactives, CRM tools and social media postings. A balanced capacity to attend to both high-level strategy and minute detail is essential. Internal and freelance design, writing and media production resources will be at the disposal of the Communications Director, as needed.
The Communications Director will have excellent collaboration skills and a client services orientation, in order to work closely with multi-disciplinary internal teams, freelancers, service providers, distributed research affiliates and fellows, advisor networks, funders, partners and clients. The Communications Director will thrive in an open, collaborative, results-oriented, start up work culture. They will be able to recognize and seize opportunities, and pursue and close on high-value media partnerships. They will be the resident expert in how to generate interest in the Institute’s work and to convert that interest to active participation and sustained engagement.
The Communications Director will report to the Managing Director and contribute to the Institute’s overall strategy. They will be responsible for fostering a goal-oriented culture of strategic communication throughout the Institute, by generating tools and establishing social practices that empower internal teams—as well as the Board of Directors, advisors and extended networks—to effortlessly convey the value and significance of the work they and the Institute do.
Roles and Responsibilities
– Develop and maintain a responsive multi-modal strategy, with associated plans, for executing communications and network building efforts across all possible engagement contexts, activating the full range of the Institute’s resources and assets
– Assume ultimate responsibility for the timeliness, originality, voice, accessibility and overall quality of all external outputs
– Drive definition and evolution of brand, voice, fundamental messaging, marketing collateral and other key elements in telling the Institute’s story, in collaboration with freelance design and production resources
– Create opportunities for media partnerships and other collaborations that generate network effects in support of the Institute’s work
– Create and maintain the Institute’s content production, outreach and social media calendars, in collaboration with Communications Associate(s)
– Closely support and synchronize efforts with the Institute’s development function, including supporting the generation and editing of grant and new business proposals
– Oversee the work activities, advancement pathways and professional development of – — Development and Communications Associate(s), as well as any freelance design, production, writing, editing, and/or PR resources
– Act as a resource for internal staff regarding external communications, including the facilitation and/or coordination of relevant trainings
– Represent the voice of communications and the Institute’s extended networks in the context of the Institute’s strategy team and, periodically, at the level of the Board of Directors
Skills and Qualifications
– Superlative written and verbal skills, as well as acumen with design and visual communications
– Proven capacity to foster, maintain and grow extended networks of interest and support
– Unflagging attention to detail and commitment to producing top-quality work that delivers results
– Compelling presence in person, on the phone, via video, in writing
– Excellent editing skills
– Proven ability to build, manage and grow capacity of happy, high-performing teams
– Experience in media relations, with a “new media” organization and/or in agencies is a plus
– Familiarity with current analytic tool set, and with Salesforce, WordPress, Squarespace, — Mailchimp, Creative Cloud is a plus
Compensation
Salary is commensurate with experience. There is a generous benefits plan, including paid time off for sick leave and vacation; medical, dental and vision plans; pre-tax flexible spending accounts and transit program; and 401(k).