Director, Democracy Reform Primer Series (School of Government and Policy)

The newly announced School of Government and Public Policy, unveiled in October 2023, presents a pivotal opportunity for Johns Hopkins University to strengthen its footprint and engagement in the nation’s capital. This initiative aims to serve society, train the next generation of public servants, drive data-informed government innovation, and confront the complex challenges facing today’s policymakers.

The person filling this position will be working in a start-up environment – creating processes and procedures, navigating unexpected obstacles, and adapting to change frequently. An agile mindset and flexible approach to daily responsibilities is needed as we define new ways of working within a well-established university. We are seeking a solution-focused person with a demonstrated ability to create new paths to achieve results.

The School of Government and Policy (SOGP) at Johns Hopkins University seeks an exceptional Director, Democracy Reform Primer Series — a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with the University of Chicago Center for Effective Government. This senior leadership position offers the opportunity to drive strategic vision, oversee high-impact programming, and shape national conversations around critical reforms to political institutions.

The Democracy Reform Primer Series explores key political reforms, providing authoritative analysis and research-based insights that influence policymakers and democratic institutions. As Director, you will provide strategic leadership for this flagship initiative, building partnerships, directing operations, and ensuring the program's continued growth and impact.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Develop and execute the long-term strategic vision for the Democracy Reform Primer Series, aligning with institutional priorities and national policy landscapes.
Partner with the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives to advance the program's mission and expand its influence.
Lead strategic planning processes and establish key performance indicators to measure program success.

Program Management & Operations

Direct all aspects of the Democracy Reform Primer Series, including research priorities, publication schedules, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Oversee faculty collaborations, managing relationships with authors, editors, and external research partners.
Ensure excellence in content development, from conception through publication and dissemination.

External Relations & Partnership Development

Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with academic institutions, policy organizations, and government entities.
Represent the program at conferences, symposiums, and high-level meetings with key stakeholders.
Build networks that enhance the program's reach and impact across academic and policy communities.

Resource Development & Management

Lead grant writing and fundraising efforts, developing compelling proposals that secure program funding.
Oversee budget development and financial management, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
Direct vendor relationships and contract negotiations for program services.

Convening & Event Leadership

Curate and design a premier series of convenings, bringing together leading journalists, funders, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to advance democracy reform dialogue.
Develop innovative formats for knowledge exchange, including symposiums, roundtables, and policy workshops that drive actionable insights.
Create platforms for cross-sector collaboration and relationship building among key democracy reform stakeholders.

Strategic Communications

Serve as primary spokesperson for the Democracy Reform Primer Series.
Direct communications strategy, including stakeholder engagement, public relations, and digital outreach.
Synthesize complex research findings for diverse audiences, from academic peers to policymakers and media.
Set up media partnerships to advance the conversations around the primers series.

Fundraising & Development

Design and lead fundraising strategies to sustain and expand the Primer Series.
Cultivate relationships with foundations, individual donors, and institutional funders to secure new and renewed support.
Partner with institutional advancement teams to align donor engagement with broader development goals.
Steward existing funders by demonstrating program impact and ensuring meaningful engagement opportunities.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree in a related field.
Five years of experience in project management and research in a related policy area.
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.

Classified Title: SOGP Program Manager
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director, Democracy Reform Primer Series (School of Government and Policy)
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF
Starting Salary Range: $85,500 - $149,800 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: District of Columbia
Department name: Office of the Dean
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 requires all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the 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.

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.

Hopkins Bloomberg Center at 555 Pennsylvania Ave - Washington, DC

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