The Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health (JHIPH) seeks a talented and proven Communications Officer with experience in or relevant to Planetary Health to develop and lead a multi-channel communications strategy to externally promote the Institute’s research, practice, and educational portfolios and events. This is the first university-wide Institute for Planetary Health in the world and will span four divisions (Bloomberg School of Public Health, Whiting School of Engineering, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, School of Advanced International Studies). The Communications Officer will also lead the strategic planning for the Planetary Health Alliance’s (PHA; associated with the Institute) efforts to engage with partners from private sector, academia, government, and civil society to shift global perceptions about the urgency of addressing the Earth crisis in order to safeguard a livable future for humanity and the rest of life on Earth.

The Communications Officerwill design an overarching strategy, in partnership with the Institute’s program leads, PHA Sr Communications Manager, partners, and the University’s Central and divisional communications teams, that seeks to shape the global narrative about the Earth crisis by highlighting Planetary Health research- and evidence-based strategies and tools to address society’s most pressing challenges. The Officer’s efforts will seek to elevate the Institute as an innovative leader in Planetary Health research, education, and solutions and increase engagement with others working in the Institute’s focal areas. This position will be responsible for executing the strategy, tactics, and plans, and tracking and reporting results.

The Communications Officer will report to the Institute’s Executive Director, with a dotted line to the Institute’s Faculty Director and will work closely with the PHA’s Communications Manager. The Officer will also have close contact with the University and school-level communications team leaders to ensure priorities and deliverables are aligned and promoted in a coordinated manner.

The role is hybrid, with an expectation of 3-4 days per week on site spanning two locations: the Bloomberg School's campus in Baltimore, Maryland and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Develop, refine, and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to promote the innovative and emergent work of JHIPH, including the efforts of the PHA and its broad ecosystem of alliance members (over 390 organizations in 65 countries) partners, and private sector entities.
The strategy will establish the brand of this new Institute and include proactive promotion of the educational, research, and practice elements of the Institute across owned channels, international, national, regional, and local media, social media, events, and other platforms.
The strategy will also support PHA’s efforts to spearhead a global strategy for narrative shift around recognizing the Earth crisis as a global health and humanitarian crisis. This will be done by working together with PHA’s Communications Manager and strategic partners.
Oversee and directly contribute to the creation of original content across a variety of channels and platforms, including articles, news releases, social media posts, a monthly newsletter, and others as agreed upon.
Manage media relations for the Institute, including proactive outreach to reporters, responding to media inquiries, coordinating opportunities with faculty, and helping faculty and collaborators prepare for those opportunities.
Collaborate closely with Institute’s faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and other collaborators to learn about their work and find ways to mainstream their research for impact.
Collaborate with the PHA’s international partners on efforts to change the global narrative.
Write, design, edit and produce reports, news releases and media advisories, infographics, announcements, campaigns, brochures, and other documents to capture the breadth and depth of the Initiative’s work, including maintaining an up-to-date web presence.
Write and refine op-eds, talking points, key messages, media pitches, presentations, and other communications and marketing materials in collaboration with faculty, fellows, Planetary Health leaders, and other stakeholders.
Support the promotion and dissemination of Institute reports and publications, including developing and monitoring production schedules.
Develop, manage, and implement the communications budget for the Institute.
Develop and manage communications contracts and agreements, including support from vendors.
Lead communications strategy and coordinate media relations outreach plans for internal and external events, live, hybrid and virtual, including the Planetary Health Annual Meeting (PHAM) and multiple additional convenings, connecting closely on goals, themes, key audiences, and outreach strategies across the Institute and with partners.
Lead efforts to measure results and report on the impact of the Institute’s communications strategies to leadership and key stakeholders.
Ensure all communications comply with the University Branding Guidelines and JHU Use of Name Guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in related field.
Five years related experience.
Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Communications or related field, such as Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in public health or health communication.
Experience in environmental or climate change policy or advocacy.
Strong demonstrated interest in advancing equity, evidence, and policy.
Experience working internationally or with international partners.
Experience managing high profile communications with donors.
Experience effectively managing contracts with and deliverables from vendors.

Classified Title: Communications & Marketing Manager

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Communications Officer

Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PE

Starting Salary Range: Min $72,600 - Max $127,000 Annually ($102,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm

Exempt Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid/School of Public Health

Department name: Institute for Planetary Health

Personnel area: School of Public Health

Total Rewards

The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:

JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for 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.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate’s conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Accommodation Information

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 Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

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