Sr. Director of Marketing, Brand, and Digital Strategy (School of Government and Policy)

We are seeking a Sr. Director of Marketing, Brand & Digital Strategy who will lead the School’s integrated marketing, digital presence, and brand execution to advance institutional reputation, academic visibility, and student enrollment. This role is responsible for developing and executing data-driven strategies that elevate the School’s profile among prospective students, faculty, policymakers, and external partners.

The Sr. Director will partner closely with academic leadership, faculty, admissions, and advancement teams to translate the School’s research, programs, and thought leadership into compelling, accessible content that strengthens impact and reach. The Sr. Director will operate as both a strategic leader and a hands-on executor, responsible for standing up core marketing and digital functions from the ground up. Over time, this role will evolve to include team leadership and oversight as additional resources are added.

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.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Digital Strategy & Platform Management

• Lead the strategy, development, and ongoing management of the School’s website and digital ecosystem, ensuring a user-centered, accessible, and academically aligned experience.
• Oversee the creation and optimization of digital platforms, including SEO/SEM/GEO, UX/UI, and content architecture, with a focus on prospective student and stakeholder journeys.
• Ensure digital channels effectively showcase academic programs, faculty expertise, and research impact.

Brand Strategy & Academic Storytelling

• Serve as the steward of the School’s brand, ensuring consistency and alignment with university standards while elevating the School’s distinct identity.
• Translate complex academic research, policy work, and faculty insights into clear, engaging narratives for external audiences.
• Lead the development of integrated marketing campaigns that position the School as a thought leader in its field.

Content & Audience Engagement

• Develop and execute a comprehensive content strategy that highlights faculty research, student outcomes, and institutional impact.
• Lead social media strategy (organic and paid) to amplify thought leadership, events, and academic initiatives.
• Partner with faculty and program teams to identify and promote high-impact stories, publications, and events
• Establish and manage editorial calendar and content strategy, including content production across website, social and email.

Enrollment Marketing & Student Recruitment

• Collaborate with admissions and program leadership to design and implement targeted marketing strategies that support enrollment goals.
• Build and optimize prospective student journeys, from awareness through application and enrollment.
• Support development of program-specific campaigns, including graduate, executive education, and certificate offerings.

Analytics & Market Intelligence

• Establish and manage analytics frameworks to measure campaign performance, audience engagement, and enrollment marketing effectiveness.
• Provide actionable insights to inform program positioning, messaging, and recruitment strategies.
• Monitor higher education and competitor trends to identify opportunities for differentiation and growth.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration.
• Serve as a strategic partner to faculty, research centers, and leadership to align marketing efforts with academic priorities.
• Collaborate with advancement and external affairs teams to support donor engagement, events, and institutional partnerships.
• Ensure coordination with key stakeholders and central university marketing in complex environment.

Team Leadership & Operational Growth

• Build and manage a high-performing marketing and digital team as the School grows, which may include digital, design, and content roles.
• Establish scalable processes, editorial calendars, and governance structures to support consistent, high-quality output.
• Manage marketing and digital budgets, external vendors, agencies, and freelancers as needed.

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field.
  

• Ten years of related experience in marketing, digital strategy, and brand management.
  

• 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.

• Experience building or scaling marketing functions, teams, or infrastructure from the ground up.
• Ten plus years of progressive experience in marketing, digital strategy, brand management with at least 3 years in a senior leadership position managing a team.
• Proven track record leading integrated marketing, including website, content, social, brand campaigns.
• Exceptional written, visual, verbal communications skills.
• Experience managing agency and vendor relationships.

Classified Title: Sr. Creative Director
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Sr. Director of Marketing, Brand, and Digital Strategy (School of Government and Policy)
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF
Starting Salary Range: $85,500 - $164,780 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: District of Columbia
Department name: Staff
Personnel area: School of Government & Policy