Managing Editor, Content Strategy

Harvard Health Publishing (HHP) is the consumer health information division of Harvard Medical School (HMS), the graduate medical school of Harvard University. HHP brings trustworthy, accessible, and actionable health information to the general public. HHP's team carries out in-depth research to create and maintain health content that is compelling, accessible, and useful to a broad audience.

This role defines and operationalizes the content maintenance (review, revision, retirement) strategy for Harvard Health Publishing’s health content library, overseeing the ongoing maintenance, quality, and performance of more than 11,000 pages of clinically reviewed content. The Managing Editor is responsible for ensuring that all content remains accurate, current, and aligned with audience needs and business priorities. This includes establishing clear editorial standards, building scalable workflows, and leading cross-functional planning to prioritize updates, consolidations, and retirements across a large and complex content portfolio.

By driving a disciplined, data-informed approach to content lifecycle management, this role directly supports and protects a multi-million-dollar licensing business that depends on the delivery of current, reliable health information to long-term partners. In parallel, the role plays a critical part in shaping the organization’s transition from a .edu to a .org model, ensuring that core content is optimized for discoverability, audience growth, and future advertising revenue. Serving as the central point of coordination across writers, editors, Harvard Medical School faculty, and business stakeholders, the Managing Editor translates content maintenance strategy into actionable plans and ensures consistent, high-quality execution at scale.

Key responsibilities include:

• Own and execute the content maintenance strategy for the health content library, translating strategic priorities into clear, actionable editorial plans and workflows. Works closely with the Director of Editorial Operations to dovetail the content maintenance strategy with HHP’s multi-pronged content strategy. 
• Oversee content lifecycle management across 11,000+ pages, including the prioritization and execution of updates, consolidations, and retirements based on clinical risk, user need, SEO performance, and business value. 
• Design and manage content maintenance editorial and clinical review workflows and production processes, ensuring efficient throughput, clear roles and responsibilities, and adherence to timelines and quality standards. 
• Lead cross-functional content planning, partnering with licensing, marketing, product, and clinical stakeholders to maintain a prioritized and continuously updated content roadmap. 
• Manage day-to-day content operations, including assigning work, tracking progress, resolving bottlenecks, and ensuring deadlines and service expectations are consistently met. 
• Provide editorial leadership and direction to writers, editors, and Harvard Medical School faculty reviewers, ensuring all content meets standards for clinical accuracy, clarity, tone, and consistency. Supervise and mentor editorial staff and/or freelancers, fostering a high-performing, collaborative editorial team.
• Partner closely with the licensing team to maintain and enhance the value of the licensed content portfolio, ensuring contractual obligations for currency and quality are met. 
• Support and shape the .edu to .org transition, aligning content structure, quality, and prioritization with evolving audience, SEO, and revenue strategies. 
• Monitor and analyze content performance and health metrics, using data to inform editorial decisions, refine priorities, and continuously improve content quality and impact.

As part of your application, we recommend including a cover letter that will help us better understand your qualifications and background. This can provide valuable insight into your experience and interest in the role.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required. 
• 7+ years of experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced writing and editing skills with experience in health content created for consumers.
• Demonstrated ability to work across diverse teams.  
• Proven ability engaging with senior-level stakeholders and faculty.
• Experience managing contracted talent.
• Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills; flexibility and an ability to manage processes and people within a changing business environment.
• Experience with website development/digital content creation.

• Term: This is a term position from the date of hire with an end date of May 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position. 
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week. Occasional on-site meetings.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Staying Informed About Your Application: Due to the high volume of applications, we may not always be able to reach out right away, but you can track your status anytime through the Careers@Harvard portal.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that the duties and responsibilities can effectively be performed fully remotely at a non-Harvard location. Employees in fully remote positions must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.