Hearst Magazine chief David Carey is to bring his eight-year tenure at the publisher to a close after announcing his decision to accept a position as fellow at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative.

Helming the media giant’s print division during a period of rapid digital disruption Carey oversaw an overhaul of the company’s own approach to digital content as Hearst itself adopted an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ approach by investing in the likes of BuzzFeed, Vice and Refinery29.

Carey will remain as chairman of the publisher’s magazine arm through 2019 until a successor is found, with likely successors being lined up internally already including digital media president Troy Young and chief content officer Joanna Coles.

In an email to staff Hearst chief executive Steven Swartz said: “The magazine business worldwide, like all print media, faces change and challenge, but it’s an industry we’ve led for more than 100 years and we will continue to do so.

“Next year, David intends to spend part of his time at Harvard in an advanced program for business leaders looking to make more of a social service impact in the next stage of their life. When that program ends, I very much hope we can find a way to keep David connected to Hearst.”

Carey arrived at Hearst from Conde Nast back in 2010 where as group president he helped turn around The New Yorker, Golf Digest and Wired.

Hearst magazines has been undergoing a process of restructuring to bring an end to a title-led approach in favour of two content divisions and four sales hubs.