University Communications is seeking a Communications & Marketing Manager who will be an essential part of the strategic communications team in the Office of Communications.

The Communications & Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to enhance and protect the reputation of the institution, prepare for and respond effectively to crises, and manage complex communications initiatives in ways that advance the university’s mission of research, education, patient care, and service to our communities.

Reporting to the Director of Issues Management, the Strategic Communications Manager must be comfortable navigating highly confidential situations with discretion and directing tactical implementation of plans across teams and enjoy being on the frontlines of reputational opportunities and challenges in a fast-paced environment.

This role requires experience in the strategic management of sensitive, high-stakes, reputation management-related communications; the ability to maintain a cool head and good humor under pressure; the capacity for sound judgment and sensitivity to organizational dynamics; and the willingness to be available and flexible as needs arise outside of business hours.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Draft messaging and other written content for university leadership, spokespeople, and stakeholders.
• Work with the office’s digital analytics team to manage media monitoring and social media listening tools to monitor emerging issues, and benchmark and track reputation.
• Regularly conduct vulnerability assessments and develop contingency plans to address the most pressing potential scenarios.
• Provide expert communications counsel and evangelize communications best practices with leaders and program teams across the institution on complex issues, including both institutional opportunities and challenges.
• Engage subject matter experts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to develop in-depth understanding of complex reputational opportunities and issues and advance institutional priorities.
• Produce rapid content and messaging support for communications aimed at diverse internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrate excellent news judgment and adherence to appropriate tone and brand parameters.
• Develop materials and strategies that reflect a fluent understanding of the university’s mission, values, culture, and priorities.
• Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and time-sensitive projects with quick turn-around requirements.
• Anticipate and work to proactively to address leadership and institutional needs and concerns.
• Work outside regular business hours as needed.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated success in media relations and strategic communications.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to work quickly and with precision within a collaborative process.
• Mastery of the analytical tools used to determine the effectiveness of issues and reputation management programs and an ability to communicate the ROI of such work to leadership.
• Understanding of the issues facing higher education today and a passion for the mission of a worldclass research institution.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate controversial or complicated concepts clearly and concisely and the ability to make public presentations before a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a large, decentralized, and fast paced organization, and to manage multiple complex projects and initiatives simultaneously. Close collaboration within the communications team and with divisional communications professionals is essential.
• Appreciation of the unique responsibilities and challenges of working at an elite university.
• A level of experience and confidence to build credibility and collaborate with the most senior university leadership.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Ability and willingness to keep abreast of the latest developments in communications technology and to integrate them into the unit’s work.
• Demonstrated success as both a strategist and tactician.

• Bachelor's Degree in related field.
• At least 5 years of communications, public relations or media relations experience, preferably in a large, complex and decentralized environment. Background in politics, government, or higher education strongly preferred.
• Additional education (graduate degree) may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Exercise a high degree of diplomacy, discretion and confidentiality at all times; maintain a cool head and good humor under pressure.

Classified Title: Communications & Marketing Manager 
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PE  
Starting Salary Range: $99,800 - $175,000 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday/ 8:30am - 5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/JH at Keswick 
Department name: ​​​​​​​University Communications  
Personnel area: University Administration