Editorial Director (University Communications)

Johns Hopkins University•Baltimore, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an Editorial Director who will play a leading role in creating strategies and aligning content for the university’s flagship digital platforms and print publications, working closely with content leads in University Communications and across the university to set and execute a strategic editorial vision that can be deployed across all university channels. In addition to creating and tracking cross-channel strategies, they will work with content producers to help ensure strategic alignment and continuity of voice, tone, and style for Johns Hopkins University content published in print materials and online. Reporting to the senior associate vice president of media relations and news, the director will meet regularly with content producers for the university’s highest priority publications and channels—including the Johns Hopkins Magazine, the Hub, the central social media team, the video team, and other channels—to help plan content that executes university communications strategies. The director’s primary focus will be articulating central strategies and meeting with content producers to explore the best ways to achieve strategic goals, work that will include assessment and tracking of content performance based on data. Additionally, the director will be available as a roving project lead on a select basis, in consultation with the senior AVP and VP for Communications. This work could include temporary editorial leadership of major projects or writing and producing original content. The Editorial Strategy Director has a deep understanding of editorial, digital, and content strategy and monitors new and emerging trends in content delivery and audience engagement. S/he is both a thinker and a doer who is hands-on with day-to-day content planning and review while also managing a larger vision and priorities, and a leader who can convene and guide staff members to execute communications strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, English, or related field.
Ten years of experience in an editing and/or writing position for a news organization or in the communications office of a major organization.
Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to think creatively about content and communications and to execute strategic approaches to writing, storytelling, content presentation, and content promotion across digital and print channels.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including experience prioritizing and setting objectives and a collaborative leadership style.
Demonstrated ability to work with and communicate effectively with administrators at the highest levels of the university, alumni leadership, and key colleagues and collaborators.
Demonstrated excellence and versatility in writing and editing.
Demonstrated ability to produce digital content quickly and accurately, including experience with website content management systems.
Sound, reliable editorial and news judgment.
Organized, detail oriented, and adept at working independently and juggling multiple assignments to meet deadlines.
Experience with search engine optimization, Google Analytics, social media tools, HTML, and Photoshop preferred.
Experience developing communications strategies
Experience producing content for multiple channels and working with a multi-channel communications strategy
Demonstrated editorial proficiency in individual areas such as print/magazine, content for social media, and digital news and feature content
Experience in online journalism and working with digital publishing tools
Outstanding editorial and writing skills

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an overarching cross-channel communications strategy in support of the university’s strategic priorities.
Plan content for the university’s flagship online and print publications.
Collaborate with other content producers and team leads to ensure editorial calendars and story budgets align with strategy.
Work closely with editorial leads to craft compelling story framing and editorial goals for flagship content projects, including Johns Hopkins Magazine and the Hub.
Mentor editors and writers across the university in support of university strategy.
Work directly with writers or as a project lead on a select, as-needed basis.
This could include temporary leadership of major content projects for digital or print publication, as needs arise.
Cultivate relationships with and solicit feedback from key stakeholders in university and alumni relations leadership.
Monitor peer institutions and other organizations to maintain knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in higher education content, offering insights to content producers for professional development and content production.
Other duties as assigned.