Programs, Communications, & Engagement Manager

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Administration, our Programs, Communications and Engagement Manager (PCEM), is responsible for managing a portfolio of departmental programs, communications, events, and strategic initiatives that support the academic mission of the Department. The position serves as a key partner to departmental leadership in the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs and services that engage faculty, students, alumni, donors, visitors, and external stakeholders.
The PCEM provides leadership for departmental communications and outreach activities, oversees internal grant and funding programs, manages major events and academic programming, administers the Department’s predoctoral research program, and develops systems and processes that improve the effectiveness of departmental operations. The role works closely with faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, and central University offices to ensure the successful execution of high-profile initiatives and the effective stewardship of departmental resources.
The position exercises substantial independent judgment in managing multiple programs and projects simultaneously, developing administrative processes, integrates AI processes and workflows into daily tasks and program management, analyzing program outcomes, and advising departmental leadership on opportunities to strengthen engagement, communications, and program effectiveness.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Internal Grants & Funding Programs
Manage internal grant and funding programs from application launch through award administration and reporting.
Coordinate application submissions, faculty review committees, award notifications, and applicant communications regarding eligibility, requirements, deadlines, and funding opportunities.
Prepare committee materials and maintain complete records of applications, recommendations, awards, and funding activity.
Partner with department leadership, faculty awards committee, finance staff on award setup, fund distribution, and compliance with donor restrictions and University policies.
Analyze funding trends and program outcomes; prepare reports for leadership and improve internal grant administration processes, workflows, and communications, optimizing as needed with AI workflows.
Donor Stewardship & Reporting
Partner with development staff and departmental leadership on donor stewardship and reporting.
Gather and prepare information on funded projects, outcomes, and program impact for donor reports, briefings, presentations, and related communications.
Track funding sources and support alignment between funded activities and donor intent.
Communications & External Engagement
Lead departmental communications and outreach activities.
Serve as liaison to the centralized communications team, gathering and providing timely, accurate departmental content, updates, calendars, and contact information for the website, newsletters, and other communications; identify needed website updates to keep information current and aligned with departmental priorities.
May coordinate departmental publications, newsletters, annual reports, alumni communications, and other public-facing materials.
Work with FAS Comms to develop content highlighting faculty achievements, student accomplishments, research initiatives, and departmental activities.
Coordinate with FAS Comms, Harvard Public Affairs & Comms, Harvard Web Publishing, alumni relations, development offices, freelance writers, designers, and other external partners.
Oversee the department’s social media presence and public-facing communications strategy.
Lead departmental programming and partner with leadership on long-term use of the new facility to foster collaboration, community building, and intellectual engagement.
Events & Academic Programming
Plan and execute events, conferences, department lectures, workshops, programmatic support for faculty meetings and campus search visits, and community-building activities.
Develop event communications, invitations, and related content; support faculty and leadership in developing programming and related initiatives.
Monitor event budgets and oversee event-related financial transactions.
Serve as the primary contact for departmental event inquiries, sponsorship requests, and co-sponsored programming opportunities.
Predoctoral Program Administration
Manage administrative operations for the Department’s predoctoral research program and related academic initiatives.
Coordinate recruitment, application review, selection, and appointment processes with faculty leadership, faculty support staff, and central researcher services.
Plan and deliver onboarding for incoming predoctoral fellows, including orientation and training coordination; serve as their primary administrative resource throughout their appointments.
Coordinate program communications, workshops, professional development, and community-building activities.
Partner with faculty, departmental staff, and University offices to ensure a high-quality fellow experience and compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
Working Conditions:
This position will require some on-site presence ranging from 2-3 days per week.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in academic administration, program management, communications, events, development, higher education administration, or a related field.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Experience managing complex programs, events, or academic initiatives.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and independently.
Experience working with faculty, students, and senior administrators in a higher education environment.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with website content management systems, communications

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid