Strategic Communications Manager

The Advanced Academic Programs division in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins University seeks an experienced and dynamic Strategic Communications Manager to position and create copy for collateral across numerous media platforms. Each year, AAP enrolls over 6,000 graduate professional students, both part-time and full-time, in more than 45 distinctive professional graduate degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates, and non-credit courses. Over 77% of AAP's enrollments are through the online programs, otherwise classes occur on campus, either in Washington, D.C., or Baltimore. The AAP Marketing and Communications team is also responsible for a significant summer and intersession portfolio of courses and programs offered at the pre-college and undergraduate level. Each year, the Office of Summer and Intersession Programs enrolls more than 4,000 students.

The Marketing and Communications team within AAP seeks to implement a vision that integrates and re-positions all marketing initiatives to highlight the value of its offerings and the success of its students. Under the direction of the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, the Strategic Communications Manager is responsible for cultivating a strategy to enhance the brand, position programs, to increase the market presence and share of AAP programs by creating content and managing it strategically across platforms.

To be successful, the Strategic Communications Manager will build a robust network within Hopkins and across industry and will achieve strong engagement and seek continuous improvement in the following areas: search engine optimized (SEO) web content, original blog posts and news articles, web page copy, coverage of AAP and Summer at Hopkins events, native content, and promotion of faculty through bylined articles in outside publications. In addition, the Strategic Communications Manager will assist with the creation of print ads, search ads, radio scripts, digital ad banners, social media posts, and direct marketing emails. This position will also provide messaging support to AAP's Associate Dean, assisting with internal communications including reports, proposals, presentations, and a biweekly newsletter.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Content Creation (70%)

• Drive the creation of original concepts including native content.
• Understand program positioning and the strategic placement of content across media platforms.
• Write clear and concise collateral for various mediums (e.g. ads, websites, brochures, news articles, social media, whitepapers, emails, etc.).
• Develop content in a consistent voice, aligned with the university's brand and style guidelines.
• Contribute to the visual layout and design for new materials.
• Support ongoing development of the Associate Dean's internal messaging.
• Conduct research and interviews to synthesize compelling human-interest stories, grounded in the benefits derived from the AAP programs.
• Use SEO principles to maximize copy's reach.
• Collaborate with creative professionals and AAP faculty to brainstorm ideas and build marketing components, particularly 'sharable' content to enhance AAP's value.
• Utilize different language styles that appeal to various target markets.

Content Editing (30%)

• Editing and proofreading copy.
• Maintain a clear and consistent voice, aligned with the University's brand and style guidelines.

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Three years related experience.
• Writing samples may be requested during the selection process.

• Bachelor's Degree in English, journalism, or related field.
• Proven experience as a copywriter or in a related role.
• Experience writing for an educational institution, or other service-oriented industry.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of online content strategy and creation.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with keyword-focused Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
• Strong research skills.
• Experience in conducting interviews and pulling together a cohesive story from various sources.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Collaborative spirit.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
• Highly self-motivated and well-organized.
• Able to work under deadline pressure and manage competing priorities.

Classified Title: Sr. Writer
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Strategic Communications Manager
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PC
Starting Salary Range: $53,300 - $93,500 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Remote
Department name: AAP Marketing
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences