Associate Dean of Strategic Communications & Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Associate Dean of Strategic Communications & Marketing

🔹 Company: Johns Hopkins University

🔹 Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Education Administration Programs

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-17

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading strategic communications and marketing efforts for a new school of government and policy
• Building and managing a team to execute comprehensive communications and marketing strategies
• Positioning the school as a respected voice in national public policy discourse
• Collaborating with university leadership and stakeholders to advance strategic priorities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of complex political and public policy landscapes to build a respected brand within these environments.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute long- and short-term communications and marketing plans to position the new school

✅ Establish clear objectives, track metrics, and provide reports to leadership and stakeholders to demonstrate impact

✅ Lead media engagement and digital communications to promote the school's work across multiple channels

✅ Drive an active, forward-looking media relations strategy to elevate school leaders and faculty experts as thought leaders

✅ Oversee crisis communication, ensuring preparedness and effective response strategies

✅ Develop marketing campaigns to enhance awareness, reputation, and position the school with prospective students, faculty, staff, and the broader public policy community

✅ Monitor trends in higher education and the government and policy research, education, and practice landscape

✅ Build, recruit, and lead the inaugural communications and marketing team

✅ Serve as the liaison to the communications offices at the University, other divisions, and external organizations to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and requires strong interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships with senior-level internal and external stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree (additional education may substitute for required experience)

Experience: At least 10 years of managerial-level, progressively responsible experience in leading strategic communications programs in the national public policy and political space

Required Skills:

• Superior writing and editing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and build trusted relationships
• Ability to prioritize well and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and produce results under pressure
• Strong and sophisticated understanding of the current public policy and political discourse and its implications for nonpartisan organizations

Preferred Skills:

• Experience developing and running comprehensive strategic communications programs that engage with national public policy and political media
• Comfort achieving results in a highly collaborative environment incorporating stakeholders and decision-makers across multiple teams and departments
• Ability to build trust and influence at the executive level; experience providing advice and counsel to senior leaders and executives
• Strong media relations experience, comfort speaking on the record and working with reporters, and the ability to seek and build new relationships with high-level media contacts as needed
• Comfort and familiarity with a wide range of media relations and marketing tools and tactics, and a track record of evaluating and incorporating new tools as they become available
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team, oversee multiple projects, and work in a fast-paced environment
• Previous professional experience in and/or content expertise in academic or government environments

ASSUMPTION: Given the unique nature of this role, candidates with experience in strategic communications within the public policy space are strongly preferred.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $175,000 - $240,000 Annually (commensurate with experience)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Tuition remission and other education benefits
• Generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave
• Employee assistance program

Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the education sector. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Education Administration Programs

Company Size: 2-10 employees (small, close-knit team)

Founded: 1876 (long-standing institution with a rich history)

Company Description:

• Johns Hopkins University was the first university in the Western Hemisphere based on the European research institution, with a mission both to teach and to advance human knowledge through discovery
• Today, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in education, research, and patient care, ranking first among U.S. universities in winning federal research and development funds
• The university is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all members of the community can thrive

Company Specialties:

• Medical Education

Company Website: http://www.jhu.edu/

ASSUMPTION: Johns Hopkins University is a prestigious institution with a strong reputation in education and research, offering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior leadership role reporting directly to the Dean

Reporting Structure: The Associate Dean will lead the communications and marketing team and report directly to the Dean of the new school of government and policy

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with the possibility of occasional remote work

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to shape the communications and marketing strategy for a new, high-profile school within a prestigious university
• Opportunity to collaborate with and learn from experienced leaders in the field of public policy and government
• Possibility to grow within the organization as the school and its programs expand

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as the new school of government and policy develops and expands its programs and initiatives.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a modern and collaborative work environment

Office Location(s): Hopkins Bloomberg Center on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC

Geographic Context:

• The office is located in the heart of Washington, DC, providing easy access to political and policy institutions, think tanks, and other relevant organizations
• The area offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and restaurants
• The office is conveniently located near public transportation, making it easily accessible for commuters

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with the possibility of occasional evening or weekend work for events or special projects

ASSUMPTION: The on-site work environment provides ample opportunities for collaboration and networking with colleagues, faculty, and external stakeholders.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit
• In-depth interview with the Dean and other senior leadership team members to discuss strategic vision and alignment with the school's mission
• Final interview with the university's human resources department to review compensation, benefits, and next steps

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Media relations and communication skills
• Leadership and team-building abilities
• Understanding of the public policy and political landscapes

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic communications experience and any relevant public policy or government experience
• Prepare examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to develop and execute comprehensive communications and marketing strategies
• Research the new school of government and policy and Johns Hopkins University to show your enthusiasm for the role and understanding of the organization's mission and values

ATS Keywords: Strategic Communications, Media Relations, Marketing, Branding, Team Building, Leadership, Public Policy, Crisis Communication, Digital Communications, Internal Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, Writing, Editing, Interpersonal Skills, Data Analysis

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a strong focus on strategic communications experience and a deep understanding of the public policy and political landscapes.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for strategic communications and marketing professionals, with a focus on digital platforms and data-driven insights.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Excellence in all endeavors
• Diversity and inclusion
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Integrity and accountability

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on results and impact
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration
• Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, including those with differing political views?
• How do you balance the need for strategic, long-term planning with the demands of immediate, time-sensitive communications?
• How do you ensure that your communications and marketing efforts align with the overall mission and values of the organization?

ASSUMPTION: Johns Hopkins University values candidates who are strategic thinkers, strong communicators, and effective collaborators, with a deep understanding of the public policy and political landscapes.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Navigating complex political and public policy landscapes to build a respected brand within these environments
• Balancing the need for strategic, long-term planning with the demands of immediate, time-sensitive communications
• Managing a team of communications and marketing professionals with diverse skills and backgrounds
• Adapting to the unique dynamics of a new, high-profile school within a prestigious university

ASSUMPTION: This role presents significant challenges, but also offers substantial opportunities for growth and impact.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on launching a new school of government and policy within a prestigious university
• Compared to similar roles in other educational institutions, this position offers a higher profile and the opportunity to shape the public presence of a new, high-profile initiative
• Career paths for this role may include advancement within the university's communications and marketing department or transitioning to a senior leadership role within the new school of government and policy

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the public presence of a new, high-profile initiative within a prestigious university, with potential for significant growth and impact.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy to launch the new school of government and policy
• Building and managing a team of communications and marketing professionals to support the school's strategic initiatives
• Collaborating with university leadership and faculty to position the school as a respected voice in national public policy discourse

ASSUMPTION: The sample projects for this role are focused on strategic communications and marketing efforts to launch and establish the new school of government and policy within a prestigious university.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the Dean envision the role of the Associate Dean of Strategic Communications and Marketing in shaping the school's public presence and positioning it as a leader in public policy discourse?
• What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how will the Dean support the Associate Dean in achieving these objectives?
• How does the university leadership team plan to engage with and support the new school of government and policy, and what role will the Associate Dean play in facilitating these collaborations?
• What opportunities exist for growth and development within the university's communications and marketing department, and how does the Dean envision the Associate Dean's career progression within the organization?
• How does the university leadership team plan to measure the success of the new school of government and policy, and what metrics will the Associate Dean be responsible for tracking and reporting on?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and strategic questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in and understanding of the role and the organization's mission and values.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://jobs.jhu.edu/job/Washington-Associate-Dean-of-Strategic-Communications-&-Marketing-DC-20001/1283202900/
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic communications experience and any relevant public policy or government experience
• Prepare examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to develop and execute comprehensive communications and marketing strategies
• Research the new school of government and policy and Johns Hopkins University to show your enthusiasm for the role and understanding of the organization's mission and values
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.