Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs (University Communications)

We are seeking an Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs who will be a senior leader within the Office of University Communications who oversees and coordinates university wide communications planning and execution for sensitive reputational matters, emergency preparedness, and emergency response. Reporting to the vice president for communications, the AVP will collaborate with a cross-functional team of communications experts across University Communications, University Administration, and the divisions. The role operates at the intersection of strategic counsel and rapid execution - the AVP must be an excellent, fast, and confident writer who can lead rapid response to emerging issues.

Operating in a highly decentralized and matrixed environment that prioritizes close collaboration and broad consultation, this individual will need to work collegially and effectively across the institution to identify and anticipate potential challenges, evaluate reputational risks, prepare leaders and spokespeople for key moments, and advise stakeholders on communications considerations on a wide range of issues. The AVP will liaise closely with the Office of the President and Office of the Provost, as well as partners in key operational, academic, and strategic areas of the university, including the offices of Public Safety, General Counsel, Federal Strategy, and Government and Community Affairs.

The AVP will advance a data- and research-driven approach to issues management communications, working with departmental leadership to develop and implement best practices for leveraging the full range of digital channels and tools alongside traditional media relations strategies. In partnership with other leaders in the central Office of University Communications, the AVP will support the continued growth and evolution of communications strategy and practice at Johns Hopkins and work to ensure communications coordination across the university’s 10 academic divisions. This individual will strengthen centralized communications resources and systems to support other communicators around the university with effective issues-management approaches, unified messaging, and guidance.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the long-term planning and day-to-day workflow of reputationally sensitive and high-priority multistakeholder communications initiatives from beginning to end, ensuring strategic alignment and execution to the highest standards of excellence.
• Develop and edit messages and messaging materials for a wide range of issues, working closely with subject matter experts and stakeholders to ensure the highest degree of accuracy and integrity in all content.
• Partner with university spokespeople in central administration and across the academic divisions to develop and execute time-sensitive responses to inquiries from media, internal communities, and external stakeholders.
• Lead strategic media monitoring and digital analytics resources for purposes of issues management.
• Collaborate on benchmarking research and the development of enhanced social listening and issues landscape monitoring and reporting products with experts in University Communications.
• Serve as an effective evangelist for strategic communications best practices, including the use of digital channels, who can gain stakeholder buy-in, instill confidence in clients and across internal teams, and develop productive and collegial relationships with colleagues and leaders across the institution.
• Serve as a key member of the Office of University Communications’ leadership team and assist the vice president, SAVP, and AVPs in the refinement and execution of a strategic plan for the organization.
• Coordinate the work of external consultants or other partners as needed.
• Represent the VP and University Communications as necessary in university initiatives, meetings, and events.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Twelve years of communications experience.
• Four years of senior level management experience.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience and effectiveness as a manager and leader in a large, complex organization.
• Experience effectively counseling C-suite executives or other senior leaders on reputation management strategies and crisis communications best practices.
• Experience leveraging both traditional earned media alongside digital channels in strategic communications and rapid response.
• A professional background in politics and government, large corporations, or higher education is strongly encouraged.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to thrive in a large, decentralized, and fast-paced organization, and to manage multiple complex projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Appreciation of the unique responsibilities and challenges of working at an elite university and anchor institution in Baltimore City.
• Experience working for high-profile organizations or individuals, and the confidence to build credibility and collaborate with the most senior university leadership.
• Strong writing and editing skills, including a proven history of writing effectively for different communications platforms, formats, and audiences, and the ability to simplify complex information for lay audiences.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of digital communications strategy, platforms, and tools, including social media, short form video, email and newsletters, web content strategy, and emerging technologies.
• Strong knowledge of national politics and the federal policy landscape.
• Excellent project management skills and a seasoned leader of people and teams.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing complex, multistakeholder projects from concept to completion.

Salary and BenefitsThe salary range for this role is $180,000 - $220,000 USD, commensurate with experience. 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/.

Classified Title: Assistant Vice President
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs (University Communications)
Role/Level/Range: ADMOFF/01/EX
Starting Salary Range: 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