Create Alert
Apply now »
Requisition ID:  117820

SOM Executive Director of Communications

We are seeking an SOM Executive Director of Communications for the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (SOM) has oversight of the overall management and implementation of communications for the SOM. As a visionary leader and dynamic change agent, the Executive Director will shape and advance a proactive, innovative communications platform that reinforces the SOM’s reputation and internal culture.


Reporting to the Chief of Staff/Senior Advisor in the SOM Dean’s office, with direct accountability to the Dean/CEO, the Executive Director will lead a robust, strategic communications program that supports enterprise-wide initiatives while focusing deeply on faculty, staff, and learner engagement across the SOM. Will collaborate regularly with the Vice President for Communications for Johns Hopkins University, ensuring alignment across university, SOM, and health system communications.


The Executive Director will serve as a strategic advisor to the Dean/CEO and senior leadership, providing counsel on messaging, reputation, and internal engagement. The role includes oversight of a central SOM communications team and will require strong partnership and coordination with communications leaders across Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM), as well as the Dean/CEO’s Executive Speechwriter. This leader will develop a long-term communications vision aligned with SOM’s mission and strategic priorities, while also leading rapid response and reputation management efforts as needed.


This person must be skilled in change management and internal communications, with an ability to drive alignment, create connectivity across departments, and inspire a cohesive and informed culture within a complex academic medicine environment.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Serve as the Dean/CEO’s principal advisor on internal and entity communications strategy for the SOM community.
  • Lead the development and execution of internal communications plans that foster connection, transparency, and strategies that align with the mission, objectives and shared purpose across management goals of the SOM community.
  • Provide vision, leadership, and innovation in communications function as well as Johns Hopkins Medicine more broadly.
  • Direct communications planning and execution for sensitive reputational matters, issues management, and emergency preparedness.
  • Drive the development and execution of communications strategies that advance institutional priorities and promote an inclusive culture.
  • Partner with university and health system communications leaders to ensure alignment and consistency across JHM and JHU communications.
  • Develop and execute external communications and marketing strategies to elevate the school’s voice and reinforce its academic and research excellence.
  • Guide messaging to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment across departments, centers, and administrative offices within SOM.
  • Lead a central communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and innovation.
  • Lead special communications projects of strategic importance, as directed by the Dean/CEO.
  • Represent the SOM and the Dean/CEO as necessary in initiatives, meetings, and events.
  • Build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders including department directors, department administrators, division chiefs, faculty, staff, and learners.
  • Develop benchmarking criteria and assess communications outcomes to optimize performance and impact.
  • Manage the performance and ongoing development of communications staff.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree required.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications in a complex, matrixed organization.
  • Demonstrated experience leading internal and change communications strategies in large, decentralized organizations.
  • Proven ability to serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on communications and reputational matters.
  • Expertise in managing communications around organizational transformation and cultural change.
  • Strong understanding of industry best practices across traditional and digital media platforms.
  • Experience with media relations, crisis communications, executive communications, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Track record of successfully leading high-performing communications teams.
  • Outstanding writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities; collaborative leadership style.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master’s Degree in a related field.
  • Communications leadership in a higher education, academic medicine, public health, or healthcare setting, or comparable environment.
  • Experience translating complex research into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
  • Familiarity with mission-driven communications approaches.

 

 

Classified Title: Executive Director-MGM 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): SOM Executive Director of Communications   
Role/Level/Range: ADMOFF/01/EX  
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00 PM 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location: School of Medicine Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM Admin Exec Off Gen Administration  
Personnel area: School of Medicine 

 

 

Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
School of Medicine - East Baltimore Campus

Apply now »