Associate Dean of Strategic Communications & Marketing

We are seeking an Associate Dean of Communications & Marketing who will be a senior executive staff member reporting directly to the Dean at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHSON). As a pivotal member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, the Associate Dean is responsible for creating and managing comprehensive external and internal communications and marketing strategies. This role is crucial in positioning and advancing JHSON and its brand with our key audiences, including thought leaders, alumni, current and future students and faculty. The Associate Dean will communicate the achievements and expertise of JHSON faculty, students, and staff and promote JHSON’s academic and professional programs, events, activities, and impact.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader in communications and marketing to join one of the world’s premier nursing schools. The Associate Dean will play a vital role in shaping the narrative and public perception of JHSON, ensuring that our story reaches and resonates with diverse audiences globally. This position offers the chance to influence the strategic direction of JHSON’s communications efforts, drive innovative marketing campaigns, and work closely with senior leadership to support the school’s mission and goals. The role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record in managing complex communication initiatives and a deep understanding of branding, media relations, digital strategies, and team leadership.

This role will contribute to JHSON’s strategic objectives and impact by leading messaging and branding around our academic and research mission. The Associate Dean will lead efforts to promote JHSON’s innovative research, tell the story of our policy impact, and position JHSON and its faculty and staff as cutting-edge, thought leaders.

The Team

The Associate Dean will lead a dynamic Marketing and Communications (MarCom) team of professionals providing guidance, mentorship, and development opportunities to ensure the team’s success and growth. The team is responsible for a wide range of activities, including content creation, media relations, social media management, internal communications, and multimedia production. The Associate Dean will manage the communications budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for maximum impact. This includes overseeing expenditures, negotiating with vendors, and making strategic decisions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s operations. The role also involves collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders to foster partnerships and leverage opportunities for joint initiatives.

JHSON’s Marketing and Communications team has an approximately $2.6M annual budget. The team currently has eight (8) staff members. These positions include a Senior Public Relations Manager & Brand Strategist, a Web Administrator, a Social Media & Digital Content Specialist, a Videographer/Photographer, a Senior Events Planner, a Marketing Coordinator, an Editorial Strategist, and a Graphic & Video Designer.

Why Join Us

Play a critical role in shaping the narrative and public perception of one of the world’s premier nursing schools, directly influencing its strategic direction and outreach efforts.

Lead innovative marketing and communication campaigns, utilizing cutting-edge strategies and technologies to enhance JHSON’s brand and reach.

Collaborate with top-tier faculty and nursing professionals in a leading institution.

Contribute to a mission-driven organization dedicated to solving some of healthcare’s most vexing challenges.

Enhance the visibility and influence of nursing leadership in the health innovation ecosystem.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Lead the development of and oversee and long- and short-term communications and marketing strategies that support and advance JHSON’s strategic priorities, including messaging, branding, and campaigns.
• Establish clear goals and objectives aligned with JHSON’s overall direction (Objective and Key Results or OKRs). Set, monitor, and consistently improve key performance indicators (KPIs) related to marketing and communications.
• Identify, define and prioritize the most important audiences for our communications efforts.
• Create/update, maintain, and promulgate use of brand guidelines that reflect JHSON’s values, personality, and voice including the importance of diverse and inclusive representation.
• Ensure appropriate use and integrity of JHSON brand in all internal and external communications.
• Advise and consult JHSON leadership on effective internal and external, integrated marketing communications to achieve impact.
• Provide regular reports and analysis to leadership, demonstrating the impact of communications efforts on key objectives.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends in communications and marketing, incorporating relevant insights into JHSON’s strategies.

Media Relations and Content Management

• Lead the School’s news, information, and media services, promoting significant faculty, student, and staff accomplishments and research findings to a broad audience.
• Develop strategies to enhance external outreach and position JHSON with prospective students, faculty, staff, and global nursing audiences.
• Strengthen earned media efforts by proactively and consistently developing and pitching stories, building new journalist relationships, and training spokespeople.
• Oversee the creation and execution of a content calendar that drives engagement across web, print, social media, and event platforms.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with publications, journalists and personalities that resonate with important audiences.
• Ensure JHSON publications are aligned with editorial standards, error-free, and consistently reflect the School’s voice, including Johns Hopkins Nursing magazine, SON Vitals, the School’s websites, social media channels, and other print and digital media.

Internal and External Communications

• Advise and support the Dean and JHSON leadership (as a sounding board and occasionally ghost writer) on matters related to media relations, internal and external communications strategy, and crisis communications.
• Develop and execute internal communication plans to engage faculty, staff, and students, utilizing appropriate tools and channels, ensuring consistent messaging, and alignment with strategic goals.
• Oversee crisis communication efforts, ensuring preparedness and effective response strategies and execution.
• Partner with senior management and relevant teams to build, refine, and anticipate needs for internal company messaging.

Brand and Visual Identity

• Update JHSON brand and ensure appropriate use and integrity of the JHSON brand in all internal and external applications.
• Oversee the design and production of branded materials, ensuring they adhere to established standards and guidelines.
• Manage the development and implementation of strategies for enhancing the JHSON’s visual identity and maintaining consistent standards across all communication channels.
• Developing a strategic roadmap to achieve desired results for target stakeholders

Marketing and Outreach

• Lead efforts to market and promote JHSON’s academic and professional programs, events, and activities.
• Develop strategies to enhance external outreach and position JHSON with prospective students, faculty, staff, and the broader nursing community.
• Collaborate with the Admissions Office to support recruitment efforts and expand a diverse applicant pool.
• Engage with external partners, media, and stakeholders to amplify JHSON’s voice.

Digital and Multimedia Strategies

• Oversee the development and execution of robust social media strategies to increase reach and engagement with target audiences.
• Oversee the development and implementation of digital and social media strategies to increase brand visibility, engage target audiences, and drive positive sentiment.
• Lead initiatives in multimedia production, including photo, video, and blog content that drive awareness and engagement.
• Oversee the utilization of technology to assess, monitor, and promote brand value in earned media.

Team Management

• Lead, coach, develop, and supervise the marketing and communications (MarCom) team of 8 people.
• Manage the long-term development of team members, team structure, and vendors/contractors to meet near- and long-term needs of JHSON.
• Develop, manage, and oversee communications budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for maximum impact.
• Establish organizational marketing and communications standards, including editorial policies and graphics standards.
• Develop and implement strategies for continuous improvement and adaptation to new communication technologies and practices.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Serve as the liaison to the marketing and communications offices at JHU, other JHU divisions, Johns Hopkins Medicine, nursing organizations, and other nursing schools to identify and leverage opportunities for collaboration.
• Represent JHSON in university committees and professional functions, fostering partnerships and enhancing reputation.
• Monitor and analyze communication metrics to gauge the effectiveness of strategies and campaigns, making data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Superior communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in digital analytics and using data to drive marketing, communications, and content strategies.
• Ability to prioritize well and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and produce results under pressure.
• Detailed, results-oriented, and resourceful leader who is energized by helping to build an unrivaled brand and function.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Minimum of 10 to 12 years of managerial-level, progressively responsible experience in leading full-service marketing communications programs and implementing strategies.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team, oversee multiple projects, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of leading high-performing communication teams.
• Exceptional skills in all marketing communications disciplines, including contemporary multimedia and “new” media communications approaches.
• Strong media relations background with an extensive network of media contacts.
• Experience hiring and managing contract resources or agencies for discrete projects.
• Proven track record in crisis communication and managing high-level media exposure.
• Experience in creating messaging and content that highlights diverse narratives and inclusive representation across mediums.
• Strong interest and facility with marketing and communications related technology.
• Curious about and can grasp the health, healthcare, research, and academic arenas JHSON operates within.
• Able to build trust and influence at the executive level; experience providing advice and counsel to senior leaders and executives.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute integrated communication plans that drive business objectives.
• Master’s degree in communication, marketing, business, or a related field.
• Experience in and/or content expertise in academic or healthcare environments.
• Strong media relationships, with the ability to seek and build new relationships with press covering venture and startups.

Classified Title: Associate Dean-MGM 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Associate Dean of Strategic Communications & Marketing   
Role/Level/Range: ADMOFF/01/EX  
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with experience 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/School of Nursing 
Department name: Communications Office of  
Personnel area: School of Nursing