Director, Strategic Communications - Jhpiego

The Director, Strategic Communications is a key member of the Global Engagement and Communications (GECO) Senior Management Team and is responsible for leading both external and internal communications for Jhpiego. This includes designing, developing and leading organization communication plans and brand positioning, create narrative and messaging, oversee public relations, media relationships and strategies for Jhpiego, as well as identifying opportunities to extend organizational reach and visibility12.  The position reports to the VP, Global Communications & Engagement, collaborates closely with the Marketing and Development teams, and oversees Regional Communications, Creative Services, and Executive Communications for the CEO, managing a team of 12 communicators, writers, designers, etc. as well as additional part-time staff, as needed..

The position will craft compelling pitches and programs that integrate storytelling, provide excellent client support to the organization through the Creative Serives team, and ensure seamless, integrated strategies in the areas of media engagement and executive communications with managerial duties including oversight of budgeting, reporting, and strategic planning, working cross-functionally with other members of the GECO team as well as Jhpiego’s senior leadership team, technical leads, and country leadership

Media Strategy and Executive Communications

• Develop and lead proactive communication strategy for the organization with tangible goals and objectives.
• Build personal relationships with journalists and develop an in-house media list.
• Develop, track and report tangible measurement standards of media engagement in line with goals and objectives.
• Manage Executive Communications for the CEO and other key leaders, by identifying key speaking opportunities to grow and build the profile.
• Work with and guide speechwriter to align with high-level Executive Communications goals and messaging frameworks.
• Work with GECO and programs teams to identify upcoming news moments and trends to develop major visibility opportunities to focus team effort on.
• Identify and execute opportunities to grow Jhpiego’s presence at both Jhpiego events and other industry and high profile conferences, events and visibility opportunities.
• Identify stories within the organization and help team’s shape them to be compelling narratives that can be used for external communications
• Identify and manage media training needs for Jhpiego spokespeople to be prepared across print, broadcast, radio and social interview/speaking moments.
• Work with GECO on developing and leading media strategies for priority communications moments.
• Support advocacy efforts across teams to identify what and/or if there will be earned or paid media strategy to support.
• Work with global teams on identifying key moments to engage country and regional press where Jhpiego has a presence – including site visits, events/conferences, CEO engagements, etc.
• Work closely with external media/communications counterpoints and planning teams for external events for the organization and CEO.

Content and Storytelling

• Manage Content Calendar overarching strategy and execution
• Lead Creative Services Team and provide vision and direction across writers and designers to develop content and storytelling
• Work closely with digital team to ensure message alignment across channels.
• Lead brand messaging for key moments and campaigns.
• Work with GECO team to identify upcoming moments for content strategy

Crisis Communications

• Develop and manage tough questions and reactive responses.
• Work with spokespeople to be prepared on in case of press inquiries and external speaking moments.
• Track media cycles and manage reactive media requests and opportunities.
• Advise and lead strategic response when issues arise.

Supervision

• Hire and manage speechwriter to support the CEO.
• Oversee alignment between CEO communications strategy, media relations and scripting support to achieve goals and objectives.
• Manage a team of writers and designers to bring storytelling to life.
• Manage regional communications team to ensure message alignment with regional teams.

• Master’s Degree in a related field i.e. Communications, Marketing or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of related professional experience, including public relations and executive communications  experience
• Successful track record of leading organization brand development and positioning as well as executive communications and crisis communications.
• Ability to lead media engagement efforts with specific examples of placements, campaign strategies and executive profile building
• Experience collaborating with internal teams to execute internal communication strategies.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic, complex communication strategies to achieve goals and objectives.
• Ability to create, manage, and present strategies with C-suite level executives.
• Self-motivated, results driven, detail oriented, and adaptable.
• Proven leadership and management capabilities
• Experience working with C-Suite board members and high net worth individuals.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with staff, reporters and supports.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Highest level of discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven ability to tell a compelling story.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the willingness and capability to personally manage administrative details as needed.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

• Experience within International NGO or Global Health industry

The salary range for this role is expected to be: $118,619 - $158,158.

Total Rewards:

The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. 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/

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 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.

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.

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

Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.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 accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. 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. For additional information, applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

RECRUITMENT SCAMS & FRAUD WARNING

Jhpiego has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised:

• Recruiters will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.
• All active jobs are advertised directly on our careers page.
• Official Jhpiego emails will always arrive from a @Jhpiego.org email address.

Please report any suspicious communications to Info@jhpiego.org

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