Associate Director of Communications (Marketing & Communications Department)

The Whiting School of Engineering seeks an experienced communications professional to serve as Associate Director of Communications . Reporting to the Associate Dean of Marketing, the Associate Director will be responsible for elevating the school’s reputation, visibility, brand and recruitment efforts by creating and overseeing an integrated content strategy, media relations, managing a network of embedded communications professionals across the school’s departments, centers, and institutes, and contributing to major publications such as Johns Hopkins Engineering Magazine. This role requires exceptional storytelling, editorial, leadership, and project management skills, as well as the ability to foster relationships with faculty, students, alumni, media, and peers.

The Associate Director of Communications provides senior-level leadership on communication and marketing strategies for strategic initiatives and devises a cohesive messaging platform. Leads a team of communications professionals and is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of marketing strategies, communications strategies, and public relations activities, both external and internal.

The Associate Director of Communications is responsible for the communications, marketing, and/or public affairs functions for a large, complex department or center. While larger divisions may divide oversight for these functional areas, this role will typically serve as the sole accountable leader across all functions for a designated area or within a smaller school/division. The position provides leadership and utilizes professional experience to leverage the skills and knowledge of related professional staff.

• Create, implement, and measure the success of a comprehensive marketing, communications, and public relations program (or a pre-defined combination of these functional areas) to enhance the image and position of the designated area within the marketplace and the general public.
• Facilitate internal and external communications ensuring alignment with the broader school and university strategies.
• Oversee editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of publications.
• Serve as the representative to the media, coordinate media interest, and ensure regular contact with target media.
• Coordinate the appearance of print and electronic materials, e.g. letterhead, use of logos, brochures, etc.
• Provide counsel to project teams on marketing, communications, and public relations, and manage the associated marketing and communications staff assigned to these projects.
• Ensure that the center/department and associated projects regularly conduct market research and coordinate and oversee this activity.
• Monitor trends and ensure implementation of best practices.
Lead projects including cause-related marketing and special events.

Planning and Budgeting

• Develop short and long-term plans and budgets for the marketing/communications/ public relations program and its activities, monitor progress and evaluate performance.
• Report progress to the relevant project leaders and leadership team.
• Provide input and recommendations on short and long-term goals and objectives to the leadership team.
• Develop, implement and monitor systems and procedures necessary for the smooth operation of the marketing/communications/public relations functions, including staff management.
Keep informed of developments in the fields of marketing, communications, public relations, governance, and organizational strategies and integrate this information to ensure the center/department operates with initiative and innovation.

Organizational Strategy

• Work with staff to develop and maintain a strategic perspective based on marketplace and constituent needs and satisfaction, organizational direction, program and services, and decision-making to maximize the impact of activities for the center or department.
• Ensure that the mission and vision of the defined oversight area are incorporated and promoted in all activities.
Act as an internal consultant to bring attention to, and ensure progress toward, institutional priorities.

Managing

• Maintain and promote a culture of high-quality work and efficiency that attracts, retains, and motivates staff and volunteers.
• Recruit, train, supervise, support, develop, assign tasks, monitor progress, and guide staff and volunteers.
• Lead and manage a team.
• Manage the relationship with, and satisfaction of, key stakeholders and partners.
• Effectively enable staff and volunteers staff to promote the center or department by,
• Transmitting the center/department values, vision and direction.
• Engaging people in the purpose of the center/department and respective projects.
• Respecting and using the skills, expertise, experience and insights of staff and volunteers.
• Providing direction and resources, removing barriers and helping develop skills.
Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above

• Lead the creation and execution of a comprehensive content strategy that advances school priorities and enhances brand awareness. Priorities include, but are not limited to, recruitment across all product lines, faculty recruitment, rankings and share of voice among and compared to peers
• Identify, write, and edit compelling stories that highlight the school’s research, impact, partnerships, educational programs, fundraising campaigns, students, and alumni for use across multiple platforms (web, social media, newsletters, video, print).
• Directly manage communications staff and co-manage a network of professionals embedded in the school’s departments, centers, and institutes.
• Provide regular guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure alignment with school-wide goals.
Conduct performance reviews, support professional development, and foster a collaborative, high-performing communications community.

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Five 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.

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, media relations, or strategic content development including superior writing, storytelling and editing skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing a team, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.
• Proven success in pitching stories to and cultivating relationships with journalists.
• Experience in higher education, STEM, or nonprofit sectors.
Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, alumni, and media.

Technical qualifications and specialized certifications

• Working knowledge of AI-powered content tools and digital storytelling platforms.
Experience producing or managing multimedia content (video, podcasts, interactive web features).

Classified Title: Sr. Communications & Marketing Manager
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Associate Director of Communications (Marketing & Communications Department)
Role/Level/Range: L/04/LD
Starting Salary Range: $75,800 - $132,600 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 37.5 hours weekly
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/Mount Washington Campus
Department name: Corporate & Global Affairs
Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering