Director Issues Management

We are seeking aDirector Issues Management whowill be a key leader within the strategic communications team in the University Communications office. They will be responsible for developing and executing communications strategies to protect and enhance the reputation of the institution, prepare for and respond effectively a wide range of issues, and manage complex communications moments in ways that advance the university's mission of research, education, patient care, and service to our communities.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Issues Management and Strategic Communications, the Director of Strategic Communications must be comfortable navigating highly confidential, sensitive information and issues, experienced in providing strategic counsel to leaders and directing tactical implementation of plans across teams, and enjoy being on the front lines of reputational opportunities and challenges in a fast-paced environment.

This role requires a strong writer with substantial experience in handling sensitive, high-stakes, reputation management-related communications; ability to maintain a cool head and good humor under pressure; sound judgment and sensitivity to organizational dynamics; comfort providing confident, proactive counsel to leadership and stakeholders; and ability to be readily available and flexible as needs arise outside of business hours.

The ideal candidate will have an established record of successfully mitigating issues and managing reputation for high-profile organizations; a sophisticated understanding of media relations, social media, and digital strategy; extensive experience in strategic planning, advancing organizational change agendas; and engaging with diverse stakeholders in a highly decentralized environment.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of communications playbooks and strategic plans; partner with the Senior Director and SAVP of Strategic Communications, as well as stakeholders across the institution, to structure issues management processes, systems, and protocols.
• Serve as a media liaison for the university, engaging directly with reporters, producers, editors, and other members of the media on high-profile issues, navigating complex communications moments to shape coverage.
• Draft messaging and other written content for university leadership, spokespeople, and stakeholders.
• Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and time-sensitive projects with quick turn-around requirements.
• Demonstrate excellent news judgment and adherence to appropriate tone and brand parameters.
• Provide expert communications counsel to leaders and stakeholders on highly complex issues, including both institutional opportunities and challenges.
• Engage subject matter experts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to develop in-depth understanding of complex reputational issues and advance institutional priorities.
• Develop written materials including briefings, talking points, statements, Q&As, and strategic plans for diverse internal and external audiences that reflect a fluent understanding of the university's mission, values, culture, and priorities.
• Work with the office's digital analytics team to manage media monitoring and social media listening tools to monitor emerging issues, and benchmark and track reputation.
• Supervise the Strategic Communications Manager and work collaboratively with colleagues on other teams within the Office of Communications and across the university.
• Regularly conduct landscape assessments and develop plans to address the most pressing potential scenarios.
• Anticipate and work proactively to address leadership and institutional needs and concerns.
• Work on site at university facilities outside regular business hours as needed.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality at all times and maintain a cool head and good humor under pressure.
• Track record of success in managing media relationships, shaping complex stories, and navigating rapidly evolving communications situations.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to work quickly and with precision within a collaborative process.
• A level of professional experience and confidence to build credibility and collaborate with the most senior university leadership.
• Experience producing public-facing content for a variety of audiences, translating complex topics into clear and compelling messages, and the ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate controversial or complicated concepts clearly and concisely; comfort making public presentations before a wide variety of audiences.
• Appreciation of the unique responsibilities and challenges of working at an elite university, an understanding of the issues facing higher education today, and a passion for the mission of a worldclass research institution.
• Ability to thrive in a large, decentralized, and fast paced organization, and to manage multiple complex projects and initiatives simultaneously. Close collaboration within the communications team and with divisional communications professionals is essential.
• Excellent project management skills and experience successfully managing multiple workstreams with different stakeholders, deadlines, and objectives.
• Mastery of the analytical tools used to determine the effectiveness of issues and reputation management programs - and an ability to communicate the ROI of such work to leadership.
• Ability and willingness to keep abreast of the latest developments in communications technology and to integrate them into the unit's work.
• Demonstrated success as both a strategist and tactician able to advance long-term organizational priorities while effectively managing the mechanics of announcements, media inquiries, and rapid response situations.

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• At least 7 years of communications, public relations or media relations experience, preferably in a large, complex and decentralized environment.
• Additional education (graduate degree) may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• At least 4 years in a front-line media relations role working directly with reporters in a fast-paced environment; background in politics, government, or higher education.

Classified Title: Director Issues Management
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PG
Starting Salary Range: $99,800 - $175,000 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday / 8:30am - 5:00pm
FLSA Status:Exempt
Location:Hybrid/JH at Keswick
Department name: University Communications
Personnel area: University Administration