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 Serves 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

Responsibilities:

Media Strategy and Executive Communications

• Develop and lead proactive media engagement 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 media opportunities to focus team effort on.
• Identify and oversee contracts and invoices for any paid media partnerships.
• Identify and execute opportunities to grow Jhpiego?s presence at events.
• Identify news stories within the organization and help team?s shape them to be compelling narratives that can be used with media.
• Identify and manage media training needs for Jhpiego spokespeople to be prepared across print, broadcast, radio and social interview/speaking moments.
• Identify and manage Satellite Media Tour opportunities.
• 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
• 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.

Special Skills, Knowledge & Abilities: 

• Successful track record of leading media engagement efforts with specific examples of placements, campaign strategies and executive profile building with press
• Ability to develop and execute strategic, complex media 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

• Master's degree in communication, marketing or related field
• Eight years related experience
• Additional experience may substitute for required education to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula

• Experience within International NGO or Global Health industry

Classified Title: Director Communications & Marketing 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director, Strategic Communications    
Role/Level/Range: L/04/LE  
Starting Salary Range:  
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Mon - Friday 8:30 Am - 5:00 PM 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Jhpiego 
Department name: 60000069-Global Engagement GECO 
Personnel area: Academic and Business Centers 

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

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