Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs (University Communications)

Johns Hopkins University • Baltimore, MD

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs who will be a senior leader within the Office of University Communications. This role oversees and coordinates university-wide communications planning and execution for sensitive reputational matters, emergency preparedness, and emergency response. Reporting to the vice president for communications, the AVP will collaborate with a cross-functional team across University Communications, University Administration, and the divisions. The AVP must be an excellent, fast, and confident writer capable of leading rapid response to emerging issues. Operating in a highly decentralized and matrixed environment, this individual will work collegially across the institution to identify and anticipate potential challenges, evaluate reputational risks, prepare leaders and spokespeople, and advise stakeholders on communications considerations. The AVP will liaise closely with the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, and partners in key operational, academic, and strategic areas. The role involves advancing a data- and research-driven approach to issues management communications, developing and implementing best practices for leveraging digital channels and traditional media. In partnership with other leaders, the AVP will support the growth of communications strategy at Johns Hopkins, ensuring coordination across the university’s 10 academic divisions and strengthening centralized communications resources and systems for effective issues-management approaches, unified messaging, and guidance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Twelve years of communications experience.
• Four years of senior level management experience.
• Ability to thrive in a large, decentralized, and fast-paced organization, and to manage multiple complex projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Appreciation of the unique responsibilities and challenges of working at an elite university and anchor institution in Baltimore City.
• Experience working for high-profile organizations or individuals, and the confidence to build credibility and collaborate with the most senior university leadership.
• Strong writing and editing skills, including a proven history of writing effectively for different communications platforms, formats, and audiences, and the ability to simplify complex information for lay audiences.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of digital communications strategy, platforms, and tools, including social media, short form video, email and newsletters, web content strategy, and emerging technologies.
• Strong knowledge of national politics and the federal policy landscape.
• Excellent project management skills and a seasoned leader of people and teams.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing complex, multistakeholder projects from concept to completion.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience and effectiveness as a manager and leader in a large, complex organization.
• Experience effectively counseling C-suite executives or other senior leaders on reputation management strategies and crisis communications best practices.
• Experience leveraging both traditional earned media alongside digital channels in strategic communications and rapid response.
• A professional background in politics and government, large corporations, or higher education is strongly encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Manage the long-term planning and day-to-day workflow of reputationally sensitive and high-priority multistakeholder communications initiatives from beginning to end, ensuring strategic alignment and execution to the highest standards of excellence.
• Develop and edit messages and messaging materials for a wide range of issues, working closely with subject matter experts and stakeholders to ensure the highest degree of accuracy and integrity in all content.
• Partner with university spokespeople in central administration and across the academic divisions to develop and execute time-sensitive responses to inquiries from media, internal communities, and external stakeholders.
• Lead strategic media monitoring and digital analytics resources for purposes of issues management.
• Collaborate on benchmarking research and the development of enhanced social listening and issues landscape monitoring and reporting products with experts in University Communications.
• Serve as an effective evangelist for strategic communications best practices, including the use of digital channels, who can gain stakeholder buy-in, instill confidence in clients and across internal teams, and develop productive and collegial relationships with colleagues and leaders across the institution.
• Serve as a key member of the Office of University Communications’ leadership team and assist the vice president, SAVP, and AVPs in the refinement and execution of a strategic plan for the organization.
• Coordinate the work of external consultants or other partners as needed.
• Represent the VP and University Communications as necessary in university initiatives, meetings, and events.

Benefits

• The salary range for this role is $180,000 – $220,000 USD, commensurate with experience.
• Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees