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Requisition ID:  118117

Director of Communications & Public Affairs

The Black Wealth Data Center (BWDC) is seeking a talented and collaborative communications leader to serve as its first-ever Director of Communications & Public Affairs. This person will play a senior role in the organization's growth and development.


The Director of Communications & Public Affairs will develop and implement an ambitious organizational communications and public affairs strategy with a focus on driving organizational growth, increasing visibility, and advancing BWDC’s mission.


Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will work in close collaboration with the funder, senior leadership, staff, vendors, and partners. Stakeholder communication, engagement, and management will be a critical skill.


The ideal candidate will have a diverse communications background, including experience and ease working in high-performing teams in matrixed organizations. They will bring deep expertise in developing strategic messaging and building multifaceted media strategies, the ability to work with data and digital teams, an enterprising spirit, and a passion for assessing wealth distribution and addressing underinvestment.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that advances BWDC’s mission and enhances brand visibility.
  • Build and lead the communications and public affairs presence for the organization, using deep understanding of targeted messaging, BWDC’s mission, and communication trends to guide its voice and decision-making.
  • Advise and support the Executive Director as the organization's public voice of the organization and draft talking points, speeches, and other materials.
  • Conceptualize, develop, and maintain a distinct brand identity that resonates with partners, users, vendors, stakeholders, and government entities.
  • Translate strategies to well-designed, compelling pitches.
  • Work closely with internal leadership and stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment on communications strategy and goals.
  • Ensure all communications and public affairs activities align with and promote the organization's mission and strategic objectives.
  • Partner with the data, partnerships, and product teams to build messaging for new tools and highlight impactful narratives that elevate the impact of the BWDC.
  • Develop and cultivate strong external relationships that strengthen the organization's mission, including key stakeholders, users, vendors, and the media.
  • Manage relationships with media outlets and reporters and exercise excellent judgment in prioritizing media opportunities.
  • Oversee BWDC’s vendor relationships that support marketing, branding, communications, public relations and related activities.
  • Produce high quality, timely written communications content.


Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Excellent and persuasive communication skills with experience in organizational communications, media relations, strategic messaging, branding and marketing, and digital content.
  • Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary initiatives, including strategic planning, relationship management, and coalition-building in a matrixed environment.
  • Strong commitment to and understanding of racial and economic justice issues and ability to represent BWDC’s mission and vision with external audiences, especially legislators, staff, media, public officials and the public.
  • Commitment to collaboration and the ability to receive and implement input from various stakeholders.
  • Track record of translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
  • Team player, problem solver, and impact-driven professional who can thrive in a fast-paced culture.
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and the ability to effectively interface with internal and external stakeholders.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline required.
  • Seven years of experience in journalism, media relations, communications, or other related experience required.
  • 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.

 

 

Classified Title: Director Strategic Communications 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director of Communications & Public Affairs   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PH  
Starting Salary Range: $99,800 - $175,000 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm 
FLSA Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/District of Columbia 
Department name: Black Wealth Data Center - BWDC 
Personnel area: School of Government & Policy 

 

 

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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