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Senior Communications Officer, Office for Sustainability

PRover • United States • Added on Aug 30, 2026
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As a central figure within Harvard’s Office for Sustainability, you will take full ownership of the strategic communications narrative for one of the world’s most prominent academic institutions. You will bridge the gap between complex climate research and public-facing storytelling, managing everything from the high-stakes annual sustainability report to digital platforms and social media engagement. This role is about transforming institutional policy into a compelling, cohesive vision that resonates across a massive campus footprint.

The impact of this position lies in its ability to scale climate solutions through influence. By effectively communicating Harvard’s progress toward being fossil fuel-free by 2050, you turn the university into a testbed for global sustainability. Your work ensures that academic insights and operational successes are shared with internal and external audiences, driving both local action and broader institutional change.

This suits someone who is a masterful storyteller with a background in higher education or large-scale sustainability initiatives. You should be equally comfortable navigating complex organizational structures and translating technical data into visually stunning narratives.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves spearheading the strategic communications plan for the Office for Sustainability. You will manage the entire editorial lifecycle, from drafting the high-profile Annual Sustainability Report to overseeing digital content across websites and social media channels. Beyond content creation, you will act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, ensuring that the university's sustainability goals are consistently and accurately represented. This includes translating complex technical data into clear visual narratives that can be understood by diverse stakeholders, from students to global media outlets.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this position, you will gain deep exposure to large-scale institutional sustainability frameworks and the mechanics of decarbonizing a massive physical campus. You will work at the intersection of public affairs and climate action, learning how to navigate the complexities of a major global brand while addressing sensitive environmental topics. You will also sharpen your skills in data visualization and digital strategy, particularly within the context of reporting standards like fossil-fuel neutrality targets. Exposure to Harvard's network of climate scientists and policy experts provides a unique intellectual environment for professional growth.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings at least six years of professional communications experience, preferably within a higher education or sustainability-focused environment. You should possess exceptional writing skills and the ability to manage multifaceted projects with tight deadlines. Technical proficiency in CMS platforms like WordPress or Drupal is highly valued. We are looking for someone with a proven track record in stakeholder management and the cultural competence to engage with a diverse international community. A background in graphic design or experience with the Adobe Creative Suite will help you stand out when developing reporting materials.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate your ability to translate complex sustainability metrics into engaging human-centric stories. Use your cover letter to highlight a specific instance where you influenced organizational change through a communication campaign or a major reporting project. Since this role requires high-level coordination between different departments, emphasizing your experience in navigating matrixed organizations will be beneficial. Be prepared to discuss how you balance the needs of multiple stakeholders while maintaining a unified brand voice.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is central to the University-wide Sustainability Action Plan, specifically focusing on the goal to become fossil fuel-neutral by 2026 and fossil fuel-free by 2050. Your work will highlight how the campus serves as a living laboratory for climate solutions. You will likely focus on resource efficiency, decarbonization milestones, and social impact. By communicating the progress of these initiatives, you help hold the institution accountable to its environmental commitments while inspiring other organizations to follow suit.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

The primary challenge lies in balancing the perspectives of various internal departments, including Campus Services and Public Affairs, while maintaining a clear and urgent sustainability narrative. In a decentralized environment like a major university, achieving messaging consistency can be complex. Additionally, you may face the challenge of managing public and media scrutiny regarding climate goals. Translating high-level scientific concepts into digestible content without losing technical accuracy requires constant vigilance and strong collaborative skills.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the Managing Director to align on upcoming press releases or reporting deadlines. You might spend several hours drafting content for the annual report or collaborating with designers on new data visualizations to illustrate energy savings. In the afternoon, you could be managing digital updates for the OFS website or coordinating with media relations teams to respond to inquiries. The day often concludes with analyzing engagement metrics to refine the social media strategy for the following week.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role offers significant visibility within Harvard’s leadership, providing a platform to influence university-wide policy through communication. Success in this position can lead to more senior strategic roles in public affairs or specialized sustainability leadership. You will have access to extensive professional development resources, including tuition assistance and specialized training, allowing you to deepen your expertise in climate communication and ESG reporting standards.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the Managing Directors of both OFS and HPAC, serving as their primary link for sustainability messaging. You will also collaborate with subject matter experts, faculty, and administrative staff across various Harvard Schools. External interactions will involve media outlets, vendors, and community partners. Building strong relationships with these stakeholders is essential to ensure that Harvard's sustainability narrative is accurately reflected in both internal and external discourse.

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