Research Communications Manager, Reimagining Economy Project

Job Description

The Reimagining the Economy Project (RtE) at the Harvard Kennedy School is recruiting a Research Translation Manager. RtE is a multi-year research initiative that explores local labor market, industrial, and development policies, combined with practitioner insights, to produce multidisciplinary scholarship to reshape narratives about how we achieve inclusive prosperity.

• Lead research translation for the RtE’s various digital platforms, turning complex data and methods into clear, narrative-driven stories, “how-to” guides, and explainers for non-experts.
• Work in close collaboration with the RtE Director on all content strategy, structure, and key messaging for the main RtE website and related initiatives (including the Economy in Place platform and a new global economic transformation website).
• Manage and update website content to reflect current research, events, and opportunities.
• Create simple, repeatable workflows for turning new research and data into content packages, using AI tools where appropriate to increase speed and consistency.
• Independently work with data and design partners to develop and refine visualizations and interactive features that highlight key insights, policy‑relevant patterns, and place‑based stories.
• Use basic analytics and A/B testing (including AI‑assisted tools where appropriate) to monitor engagement and iteratively improve the reach, clarity, and impact of RtE’s digital content.
• Manage relationships with communications directors of HKS and related HKS centers.

• Translate complex RtE research (especially on industrial and place‑based policy) into clear, engaging content for non‑technical audiences (e.g., briefs, blog posts, newsletters, web copy, social media).
• Use AI tools (e.g., large language models, summarization, transcription) to build digital products, and draft, refine, and repurpose content while maintaining accuracy and nuance.
• Stay abreast of RtE’s research pipeline and relevant external developments to proactively identify high‑impact opportunities for translation, visualization, and dissemination.

• Conduct interviews with policymakers, practitioners, and academics and convert them into compelling written, visual, or multimedia pieces.
• Provide editorial support and light project management for other contributors (faculty, practitioners, research assistants) to maintain a consistent voice, quality, and timelines.

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, or communications, journalism, or digital marketing.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in digital content creation or communications.
• Demonstrated experience with video editing tools and basic photography and video capture.

• Strong writing and editing skills with experience producing content across multiple platforms.
• Experience working in higher education, politics, government, research communications, or mission‑driven organizations.
• Ability to conduct interviews and translate source material into compelling narratives.
• Familiarity with digital analytics, SEO best practices, and audience development.
• Experience working on data visualizations and with AI tools.
• Experience working collaboratively in a fast‑paced, matrixed communications environment.

• Appointment End Date: Fully benefits eligible one‑year term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education.
• Other Information: This position is fully on site/in‑person 5 days/week and based on our campus in Cambridge, MA.

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

This position is…