Associate Director of Communications (The Office of Undergraduate Admissions)

We are seeking an Associate Director of Marketing & Communications who will play a key role in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to drive the planning, execution, and improvement of integrated communications campaigns in support of enrollment goals. A member of the office’s management team, the Associate will set the strategic direction for and execution of admissions communication campaigns, lead the development of messaging for public presentations, and work collaboratively with admissions team members to execute the highest-quality work while upholding the Johns Hopkins brand. They will oversee three communications team members and contribute to the areas of researching, conceptualizing, producing, publishing, and measuring the effectiveness of communications strategies and plans.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction and drive the planning, execution, and improvement of integrated multichannel communications campaigns, driving students and their influencers (parents, counselors) through the admissions funnel from prospect to applicant to matriculant. Channels include, but are not limited to, email and SMS, website, digital and social media, presentations, print publications, and external college search platforms.
• Oversee the implementation of the annual communications calendar.
• Manage and oversee the professional development of three content marketing-focused team members.
• Lead development of public messaging, including admissions staff training and rollout of virtual, on- and off-campus recruitment presentations and scripts.
• Serve as an expert on the Johns Hopkins brand and ensure content aligns with the Undergraduate Admissions identity platform guidelines.
• Oversee admissions web content strategy and updates to ensure all information is accessible, relevant, and accurate; recommend and make changes to content for clarity and impact.
• Monitor and update information based on the admissions cycle, including changes to deadlines, academic offerings, and scholarship opportunities.
• Serve as communications liaison with other University departments to enhance and support communications efforts across the University.
• Work closely with agency and vendor partners on projects and contracts that support communications goals.
• Manage internal and agency project timelines and align all stakeholders on project goals and outputs, gathering and consolidating feedback.
• Provide final approval on all print and digital publications, email, and social media copy.
• Oversee marketing and communications portion of admissions decision release process, coordinating with operations, evaluation, and selection, and IT teams.
• Report to leadership on marketing and communications campaign metrics to ensure desired impact, consistency of messaging, and effectiveness.
• Proactively communicate needs and risks to senior leadership.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

• Comprehensive understanding of multichannel marketing and integrated communications campaigns to optimize reach, engagement, and attainment of recruitment goals.
• Ability to forecast, plan, and deliver timely and quality communications to prospective students, parents, high school counselors, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with campaign performance analysis and reporting, and ability to use data to inform decision-making and recommendations.
• Knowledge of brand management and identity platforms.
• An eye for detail and copywriting, and design sense to produce high-quality materials for both print and online.
• Experience developing and training staff on public messaging and presentation delivery.
• Creativity and the ability to provide creative direction to others.
• Excellent skills in organization, communication, and data presentation with competence in oral and written English.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent supervisory, staff development, and leadership skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with students, faculty, staff, University officials, and the general public.
• Familiarity with content management systems and digital publishing workflows, especially WordPress, Slate, and Sprout Social.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• Four years of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a marketing or communications role in a higher education setting is preferred.

Classified Title: Communications Associate

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Associate Director of Communications (The Office of Undergraduate Admissions)

Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD

Starting Salary Range: $62,900 - $110,100 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Mon - Fri / 8:30am - 05:00pm

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus

Department name: Undergraduate Admissions

Personnel area: University Student Services