Reporting to the Senior Director of Leadership Communications and Engagement and working closely with the Senior Speechwriter, the Senior Writer will be a critical member of the writing team in the Office of the President that is responsible for telling the story of Johns Hopkins University, the nation's first research university, and conveying the priorities of the President to a broad array of national and local audiences. Through op eds, articles, talking points, remarks, and various communications products this person will play an important role in helping to explore, articulate, and advance the ideas of the University President in compelling and creative ways.
The Senior Writer must thrive on producing deeply researched and thoughtful analysis on a myriad of topics from social and economic challenges facing the nation, to the future of higher education, to the student experience, to the University's partnership with its hometown of Baltimore, among many others. They must be an exceptional writer and thorough and deep researcher, who can produce high-quality written work on a tight deadline, gather and translate complex information into cogent analyses, and navigate and interpret feedback from in a complex and fast-paced environment. They must be able to work collaboratively with a team of communicators in the Office of the President and across the institution. A successful candidate will be creative, self-motivated, flexible, and highly collaborative, and will bring both humanity and good humor to their work.
The primary duties and responsibilities of the job:
Draft and edit high-level written materials for high-impact internal and external audiences.
Be a thought partner to university leaders and the Sr. Director in producing materials that support the President's academic and public priorities, including articles, speeches/talking points, presentation materials, and other leadership communications materials.
Monitor and analyze developments and major issues in higher education to ensure they are appropriately addressed and articulated.
Communicate information of a highly complex nature in a clear, precise, and compelling way.
Review and edit drafts of communications materials and talking points provided by other offices to ensure they reflect the University President's voice and priorities.
Ensure that all remarks and other public statements prepared for the President, including those prepared by other offices, are accurate, fact-checked, and proofed.
Develop and sustain contacts with university leadership, faculty, staff, and other constituents.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required.
Two to four years demonstrated professional experience working within complex organizations, including experience writing and or editing
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD or other equivalent professional degree (i.e., JD) highly preferred.
Higher education experience is desirable.
Equivalent experience of in policy or academic setting may substitute for advanced degree, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Special skills and knowledge:
Excellent oral and written communications skills
Excellent research, analytical and storytelling skills
Knowledge of grammar usage and editorial style guidelines
Ability to synthesize and analyze information quickly
Ability to maintain the utmost discretion and diplomacy in interacting with high-level individuals and maintain confidences at all times
Ability to work in a fast-paced and decentralized environment, while balancing competing priorities and managing multiple assignments.
Ability to be flexible and self-motivated in order to deliver high quality work product in multiple communications mediums.