General Summary/Purpose

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute – within the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health -- is the hub for a community of multidisciplinary researchers dedicated to treat, control and eradicate this deadly disease. Focused on four major areas of research - entomology, parasitology, epidemiology and immunology - JHMRI boasts experts from around the globe, all working to prevent and cure malaria.

The JHMRI attracts a critical mass of malaria experts, researchers, faculty and staff from around the world. The Institute comprises 20 full-time faculty that pursue biomedical research on different aspects of malaria, and three administrative support staff. The JHMRI is directed by Dr. Peter Agre and a team of four deputy directors, and the JHMRI's activities are reviewed annually by a Scientific Advisory Board comprised of world-class scientists.

This position focuses on developing a strategic communications plan for the Institute and leading and participating in the execution of that plan. The position reports to and takes direction from the Institute’s Director. The Communications Officer will set and guide the strategy for all communications, websites and public relations messages to consistently articulate the Institute’s priorities and progress to media, key stakeholders, and the interested public. He/she will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for brand management, online and direct marketing, media relations and community engagement and will work closely with a senior peer group in the Institute as the communications partner on a variety of strategic initiatives. The Communications Officer will work closely with donors and external media firms in developing the Institute’s message and disseminating it. The Communications Officer will also work closely with the School’s central communications and marketing teams to facilitate JHMRI adherence to JHSPH and JHU Communications and Public Relations Policy.

Major Responsibilities and Outcomes:

• Translate the research-based work of the institute for distribution across channels including but not limited to press releases, articles, events, social media, print materials, websites and other appropriate communications outlets. Responsible for promoting the Institute’s work across all communication venues.
• Develop and implement the media and public relations strategy to promote the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute across media channels. Shapes and advances the Institutes’ communications strategy, message and brand across national and international communications.
• Develop and implement a stakeholder communications strategy to share the Institute’s work with key stakeholders including but not limited funders, school leadership, industry partners and policymakers.
   
  Specific Duties & Responsibilities
  Strategy
• Plan, design, implement and manage communications and public affairs activities with the goal of elevating visibility and building positive awareness of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute research, practice and educational activities.
• Develop and manage the communications and public affairs strategic plan for JHMRI.
• Provide consultation and recommendations related to the development of communication media for major publications, significant initiatives and programs.
• Develop and lead a comprehensive social media strategy for the Institute in close collaboration with the social media team within the School.
• Developing benchmark criteria to track and evaluate the effectiveness of the communications strategies on a regular basis.

          ​​​​​​​Content Development

• Create content to promote the Institute's research, practice and educational initiatives across a wide variety of platforms including local, regional, national and international print and electronic media outlets, and social media.
• Proactively work with faculty, students and staff on developing, writing and designing content for the web including text, audio and video.
• Write and produce a wide variety of communications content, including marketing and promotion materials and publications in coordination with School and University branding and style guidelines.
• Develop Institute’s web content and maintain Institute web site.
• Promote the Institute's faculty, programs and students through a variety of approaches via both web and print and internal and external communications.
• Work closely with the JHMRI faculty and leadership to write press releases and other news content to disseminate important findings from research studies conducted within the Institute.
   
  Outreach
• Conduct outreach, fostering and maintaining relationships with local, regional, national and international media outlets in collaboration with the School’s Director of Media and Public Relations.
• Engage with key media outlets, both proactively and reactively.
• Manage communications for events, including an annual summit.
• Work with coordinators in the department on event communications to leverage outreach
• Identify strategic communication opportunities with internal and external partners.
  
  Additional
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned;
• Opportunities for participating in educational initiatives are possible, depending on the successful applicant’s experience and interest.
   
  Minimum Qualifications (Required)
  Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, journalism or other related fields.
  Five (5) years related experience.
   
  Advanced degree may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the * JHU Equivalency Formula: 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for the required education on the same basis.  For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job. *
   
  Preferred Qualifications
  Eight (8) years related work experience.
   
  Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  A strong understanding of development and maintenance of best practices in web and social media standards is required. Excellent written, verbal, web-based and social media skills. Proven experience in professional communications position. Strong organizational skills. Keen attention to detail. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to translate complex research or scientific data into materials for lay audiences. Knowledge of and experience with web- based content management systems. Writing samples are requested as part of the application process and a writing test will be included in the interview process.

Classified Title: Communications & Marketing Manager 
Working Title: Communications Officer  ​​​​​
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PE 
Starting Salary Range: $69,139.92 - 95,002.56/ Commensurate with Experience
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday/ 37.5 hours per week 
Exempt Status: Exempt  
Location: 05-MD:School of Public Health 
Department name: 10001154-W Harry Feinstone Dpt Molec Mblgy Imlgy 
Personnel area: School of Public Health

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work.  Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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