Director for Provost’s Communications 

We are seeking a Director for Provost’s Communications who will support the Provost in directing and managing communications related to the short- and long-term priorities, initiatives, and activities of the Office of the Provost. The Director is responsible for the preparation, review, and finalization of internal and external communications, messaging, and briefings aimed at a variety of audiences, and for coordinating with the Office of the President and other divisions of the University as appropriate. As the primary speech writer for the Provost, the Director will also prepare remarks, speeches, and other messages to convey and position the issues, initiatives, and stories shared by the Provost in the most strategic, meaningful, and engaging ways.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff & Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives, the Director serves an important and highly public role in the Office of the Provost. The successful candidate will be able to partner effectively with University leadership, prioritize multiple tasks, take a proactive approach to work assignments, and take initiative in anticipation of future plans and needs of the Office. This position requires excellent writing, research, editorial, and overall communications skills, savvy judgment, and utmost discretion. The ideal candidate is a diplomatic, articulate, and tactful communicator with superb attention to detail and a history of high-level project execution.

We encourage candidates with diverse communications backgrounds including journalism and public relations.

NOTE - For full consideration, please include three writing samples with resume and cover letter.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall communications strategy for the Office of the Provost, in close partnership with and guidance of the leadership team, including written, verbal, and multimedia messaging as well as university and public events.
• Prepare and share a variety of communications internal and external to the University, including announcements, memos, briefings, Board presentations and stories, with a view to enhancing engagement and impact of the Office.
• Through speeches, presentations, media statements, and other messages, convey the vision and ideas of the Provost in compelling and creative ways to a wide variety of audiences. The work will cover topics ranging from issues facing higher education and public policy, to the student experience, to the research enterprise, to the University's engagement with Baltimore, among many others.
• Monitor and analyze major issues in higher education, public policy, and popular culture, as well as ongoing developments across our campuses in order to appropriately address these issues in communications.
• Ensure the Provost's remarks serve the event and the audience by reviewing all briefing materials on meetings, events, and other interactions with speaking/presentation components.
• Review remarks, letters, and communications materials prepared for the Provost, including those drafted by other offices, and ensure that they are accurate, appropriate, and carefully proofed. Communications may include materials developed on behalf of the Offices of the President and Provost and collaboration with the chief of staff, executive vice provosts, vice provosts and others as required to prepare the Provost for key meetings.
• Draft and oversee correspondence coming from the Provost’s Office including supporting the Provost and chief of staff on executive level searches, appointments, and annual letters.
• As requested, support the Board of Trustees’ Committee on Academic Policy and Committee on Student Life, including record keeping and coordinating planning efforts with the JHU Board Office.
• Support special projects for the Provost and/or the Provost’s leadership team as directed.
• Build and sustain relationships with colleagues in offices of university leadership, faculty, staff, and other constituents to fuel and inform communications materials.
• Oversee the Provost’s Office website and strategy for the online presence of the portfolio.

Special Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent and proven written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write for diverse audiences, provide and receive concise feedback, and diplomatically approach their work.
  
• Excellent research, analytical, and storytelling skills, and thorough knowledge of editorial style guidelines.
• Demonstrated history of analyzing and synthesizing information quickly and accurately.
• Excellent and proven judgment to make sound decisions without supervision.
• Discretion and high-level accountability for confidential information.
• Working knowledge of issues, challenges, and emerging trends in higher education.
• Ability to work quickly on deadline, while balancing competing priorities and tackling multiple assignments.
• Highly developed collaborative, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to be self-motivated, collaborative, and flexible in managing multiple high-level priorities to deliver high quality work product in multiple communications mediums.
• Strong attention to detail.

• Bachelor's Degree in related field
• Five years related experience
• Advanced degree may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula

• Experience providing strong operational support of high-level executives
• Experience working closely with senior university officers to prioritize and accomplish academic initiatives

Classified Title: Executive Communication Administrator 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director for Provost’s Communications   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF  
Starting Salary Range: Min $84,700 - Max $148,300 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday / 8:30am - 5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus 
Department name: Provost and Sr VP for Acdmc Affs Off of  
Personnel area: University Administration