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Requisition ID:  117255

Strategic Communications Manager, Issues Management

We are seeking a Strategic Communications Manager, Issues Management, who will be an essential member of the strategic communications team in the University Communications office.


Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, the Strategic Communications Manager will work closely with the team to protect and enhance the reputation of the institution, prepare for and respond effectively to crises, and manage complex communications moments in ways that advance the university’s mission of research, education, patient care, and service to our communities.


The Strategic Communications Manager will develop and manage processes and workflows for the issues management team, working collaboratively with subject matter experts and communications colleagues across the university to promote strategic alignment and coordinate effective issues management. They will be a strong and persuasive writer, able to produce high-quality work on tight deadlines, synthesize feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, and translate complex information into consistent and compelling messaging for diverse internal and external audiences.


This role requires the ability to handle confidential information and sensitive situations with the utmost discretion and professionalism, the ability to maintain a cool head and good humor under pressure, and the willingness to be available and flexible as needs arise outside of business hours. The ideal candidate will be a curious and strategic thinker, and a detail-oriented communications project manager who thrives in an intense, fast-paced, and highly decentralized environment. A successful candidate will be a flexible team player who enjoys working collaboratively.


Candidates with experience in higher education, government, or politics are encouraged to apply; familiarity with the history and culture of Baltimore City and its neighborhoods strongly preferred.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Coordinate the work of the issues management team, tracking and managing multiple, complex and time-sensitive projects with quick turnaround requirements.
  • Collaborate with communications teams and stakeholders across the university to execute effective communications strategies on a wide range of issues that present institutional challenges and opportunities.
  • Support proactive and rapid response media engagement, working with the issues management team to conduct outreach to reporters, respond to incoming requests, facilitate interviews, and execute briefings or other media events.
  • Produce high-quality rapid response content, research, and messaging support for university leaders and stakeholders, including materials such as talking points, press releases, FAQs, memos, and digital content.
  • Develop materials and strategies that reflect a fluent understanding of the university’s mission, values, culture, and priorities.
  • Engage subject matter experts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to understand and translate complex topics and issues into clear and compelling communications for a diverse range of audiences.
  • Work closely with the office’s digital analytics team to leverage media monitoring and social media listening tools to monitor emerging issues, research the issues landscape, and ensure that the team is able to stay ahead of important developments.
  • Demonstrate excellent news judgment and adherence to appropriate tone and brand parameters.
  • Support the development of landscape assessments and plans to address the most pressing potential scenarios.
  • Anticipate and work proactively to address leadership and institutional needs and concerns.
  • Work on site at university facilities outside regular business hours as needed, including serving as a media contact to ensure consistent messaging on priority issues.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality at all times and maintain a cool head and good humor under pressure.
  • Exceptional project management skills and experience successfully managing multiple workstreams with different stakeholders, deadlines, and objectives.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to work quickly and with precision within a collaborative process.
  • Experience producing public-facing content for a variety of audiences, translating complex topics into clear and compelling messages, and the ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines.
  • 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; experience and comfort working with senior leaders.
  • Demonstrated success as both a strategist and tactician able to advance long-term organizational priorities while effectively managing the mechanics of announcements, media inquiries, and rapid response situations.
  • Ability to thrive in a large, decentralized, and fast paced organization. Close collaboration within the communications team and with divisional communications professionals is essential.
  • Familiarity with media monitoring tools and comfort mastering new technologies to improve workflow and collaboration to meet strategic goals.
  • Appreciation of the unique responsibilities and challenges of working at an elite university, an understanding of the issues facing higher education today, and a passion for the mission of a worldclass research institution.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in related field.
  • Five years related experience.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Candidates with experience in higher education, government, or politics encouraged to apply; familiarity with the history and culture of Baltimore City and its neighborhoods strongly preferred.

 

 

Classified Title: Communications & Marketing Manager 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Strategic Communications Manager, Issues Management   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PE  
Starting Salary Range: $73,300 - $128,300 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday/ 8:30am - 5:00pm 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/JH at Keswick 
Department name: ​​​​​​​University Communications  
Personnel area: University Administration 

 

 

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.
Hybrid: On-site 3-4 days a week

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