Assistant Director for Internal Communications & Staff Engagement

The Assistant Director for Internal Communications and Staff Engagement is responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive tactical communications plan for a designated area of responsibility. Provides consultation and recommendations related to the development of communication media for major publications and/or significant initiatives and programs. Responsible for the writing and production of a wide variety of communication vehicles, including marketing and promotional materials and publications.

Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) supports Johns Hopkins’ focus on research, teaching, and patient care and its role as a national and global leader in higher education. We create and foster enduring relationships that result in advocacy and philanthropic support for Johns Hopkins University & Medicine—strengthening the institution through partnerships with donors, alumni, volunteer leaders, faculty, students, staff, and patients.

The Assistant Director for Internal Communications and Staff Engagement is a critical partner and project manager within DAR. Jointly reporting to Development Communications and Talent Management, the Communications Associate will support a program designed to engage and inform the DAR workforce, strengthen divisional culture, and amplify leadership messaging across the organization.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Generate and recommend original and creative approaches to communicate, market, and/or promote specific subject matter.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for multiple communications vehicles.
• Write and edit multiple and varied publications, reports, web pages, grants, executive remarks, and news releases.
• Conduct interviews, research, and information gathering.
• Manage production of materials, including selection and layout of artwork, graphics, pictures, and illustrations.
• May coordinate, direct, and review the work of communications staff, e.g., freelance writers, photographers, and production staff.
• May negotiate with vendors.
• Provide editorial oversight and review of communications vehicles for the designated area.
• Lead the day-to-day creation and management of marketing plans, media, web, and public relations strategies by working with the broader Marketing & Communications department.
• Serve as the primary contact with vendor agencies.
• Lead the development and execution of marketing strategies and plans including external media planning and buying efforts across digital and traditional media, marketing events, and partnership marketing opportunities.
• Lead engagement and relationship management strategies by leveraging direct marketing tools to drive results, e.g., email/Salesforce, and other CRM tools.
• In partnership with stakeholders utilize and optimize SEO/SEM, email campaigns, user experience, digital advertising, promotions, and social media, etc. to build brand/program awareness, generate leads, and maximize engagement with participants
• Measure and analyze campaigns and/or project data and make adjustments to maximize ROI.
• Develop creative briefs to ensure marketing materials and program messaging are accurate and created in a timely manner.
• Drive implementation of best practices through all paid and unpaid channels.
• Organize marketing promotional events and ensure prompt delivery of materials and merchandise.
• Ensure brand consistency across all channels, e.g. websites, email, social media, events, flyers, etc.
• Lead website strategy and related needs including management of associated vendor(s) as applicable.
• Apply an understanding of relevant landscapes to monitor, report, and provide insights and recommendations.
• Analyze plans and performance using KPIs and ROI analysis and apply learning for next steps.
• Manage and monitor area budgeting and forecasting.
• Collaborate with peers to share learnings and help cross-promote programs as applicable.
• May oversee the work of support staff in the unit or others with related responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above, the Assistant Director will:

• Be tasked with project management, communications planning and measurement, and creative and technical support of internal staff and leadership events, including annual all-staff gatherings, semi-annual manager retreats, quarterly all-staff webinars, and other events as directed by leadership.
• Draft leadership message guidance, internal emails, and other communications, adapting to personal tone and style. Build multi-step internal communications plans for different audiences within and beyond DAR.
• Oversee and manage internal communications tools and platforms supporting DAR staff, including but not limited to Teams channels and DARConnect (intranet hub). Oversee information reviews and evaluate the success and utilization of platforms across DAR audiences. Build workflows that keep information up to date and engaging.
• Oversee annual calendar of staff-focused communications, including annual reminders, save-the-dates, and employee recognition.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Four years of related 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.

• This position will work closely with sensitive and confidential information and requires integrity, discretion, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to navigate complex situations, excellent attention to detail, and exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Experience building communications plans in a complex environment
• Experience managing intranet and/or SharePoint pages

Classified Title: Communications Associate
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Director for Internal Communications & Staff Engagement
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD
Starting Salary Range: Minimum: $62,899 - Maximum: $110,100 (targeted salary: $87,700; commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Mount Washington Campus
Department name: 10001647-Development Communications
Personnel area: University Administration

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