Job Summary

As the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Policy at Harvard Kennedy School approaches its 40th anniversary, we are launching a major new program ? the Independent Media Lab. The digital media landscape is rapidly reshaping who holds influence over public opinion and policy?yet there?s no system to track these new power brokers. This initiative will map, monitor, and engage the people shaping this new media environment, and examine how platforms and business models are reshaping online political engagement. The program will aim to offer critical contributions to our collective understanding of this new multipolar news and information ecosystem.

The Director will build out this new program, including conceptualizing and organizing core research activities and events, leading efforts to convene leaders in the independent and legacy media to shape debate, and engaging in public scholarship and thought leadership. We are seeking a candidate who can integrate seamlessly with the Shorenstein community and collaborate with colleagues across HKS, the University, governments, and the private sector. The Director will coordinate with a variety of stakeholders including students, senior university administrators, faculty, donors, and prominent individuals and organizations.

Position Description

• Strategy & Thought Leadership
  • Robust portfolio of research: Lead the planning and execution of a portfolio of research, analysis and writing alongside co-authors and contributors including faculty, fellows, students, or practitioners.
  • Generate and disseminate new ideas about how to best understand independent media, through writing, public speaking, and engaging with scholars and practitioners.
  • High-Impact Insights: Conduct essential research and organize impactful convenings, and other activities with a focus on real-world impact that can lead to an information environment that better serves the public.
• Core Activities
  • Mentorship and Management
    • Advise and direct senior fellows, research fellows, and visiting scholars associated with the program and manage the overall research agenda.
    • Work with senior faculty to conceptualize and oversee the implementation of interdisciplinary research grants intended to fuel innovative research by wide-ranging teams across Harvard on issues at the intersection of independent media, technology platform power and democratic participation.
    • Supervise staff; to be determined based on the growth of the program
    • Mentor and supervise a portfolio of student research assistants working on a range of topics to support the program?s research areas
      
  • Other Tasks:
    • Act as a senior figure building links between the Program and other parts of the Shorenstein Center, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, the Cambridge community, and beyond.
    • Oversee the preparation of funding/grant proposals, ensuring that all sponsor guidelines are met and compliance requirements are followed; oversee monitoring of grants and preparation of reports to comply with reporting requirements for sponsored research grants and awards.
    • Oversee the program?s budgets and expenses
    • Working closely with the Center?s Communications team, represent the program nationally and internationally, including via written work and appearances in media, conferences, and other forums. Spearhead the dissemination of the program?s outputs and serve as a leading voice to build awareness of the Center?s contributions to scholarship and public debate in this field.
    • Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

• Master?s degree or equivalent preferred.
• 15+ years leadership experience in legacy and/or independent media and extensive knowledge of the challenges and opportunities of the field.
• Experience fundraising and launching new programs.
• A developed profile as a leader in issues related to journalism, technology, and the evolving information landscape.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Excellent writing, public speaking, relationship building, and organizational skills.
• Collaborative working style with excellent consultative and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to Shorenstein?s mission of improving the quality and accessibility of public information in order to bring about healthier, stronger, more peaceful societies.

Additional Information

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

About Harvard University Kennedy School

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. The University, which is based in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has an enrollment of over 20,000 degree candidates, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Harvard has more than 360,000 alumni around the world. The University has twelve degree-granting Schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering a truly global education. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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