Senior Communications Specialist

Reporting to, and in collaboration with, the Director of Marketing and Communications, theSenior Communications Specialist will develop and implement communications and media relations initiatives and campaigns to engage Peabody’s different audiences and advance the Institute’s goals. Working closely with Marketing and Communications colleagues and collaborating with others Institute- and University-wide, the incumbent will contribute to the department’s integrated and comprehensive approach to brand building and providing support for student recruitment, alumni engagement, employee engagement, concert marketing, and diversity and fundraising initiatives. This position is responsible for writing and project managing a variety of communications and will be relied upon to identify and develop stories that serve all internal clients and maximize opportunities for Peabody visibility and recognition.

Located in the heart of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon Cultural District, the Peabody Institute was founded in 1857 as America’s first academy of music. Today, through its degree-granting Conservatory and its community-based Preparatory music and dance school, Peabody trains musicians and dancers of every age and at every level.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee editorial development, schedule, and production process as project manager for Peabody Magazine, currently published twice a year. Work with Consulting Editor and other colleagues to generate and develop story ideas, write stories, and edit news items. Liaise with ad sales rep. Consult with Senior Graphic Designer on art and imagery and coordinate a comprehensive design review and proofreading process. Coordinate mailing lists and other distribution and advise on integration across digital platforms.

• Proactively lead local and national media relations, establishing and maintaining relationships with relevant journalists and editors; developing, pitching, and placing story ideas; writing and distributing press releases and calendar listings; coordinating media interviews and photo shoots with faculty and others; maintaining the media list(s); and, potentially, liaising with outside agency. Work independently and serve on call to respond to media requests outside of regular office hours as needed. Monitor and catalogue press clips.

• Serve as the information/content hub for the Marketing and Communications Office. Solicit, receive, track, and share news items submitted by faculty, students, alumni, and staff. Liaise with Concert Office to facilitate information sharing for public performances and events. Working closely with colleagues, make editorial recommendations to ensure appropriate promotion through internal and external channels and fact-check/write/create materials as needed. Compile and write monthly and weekly electronic newsletters for external audiences. Proofread Marketing and Communications materials to ensure accuracy in print and online. Maintain Peabody style guide and update as needed.

• Manage internal communications for Peabody staff, coordinating with colleagues in HR and IT to refine and develop a recently launched SharePoint-based staff intranet site and newsletter. Liaise with colleagues managing similar sites for Conservatory faculty, Conservatory students, and Preparatory faculty to ensure proper targeting and better information sharing across internal constituencies.

• Manage the Peabody Post blog, writing original content, repurposing existing content, and identifying opportunities to ensure fresh, engaging, and relevant posts.

• Collaborate with all members of the Marketing and Communications team, working to share information, manage project work, consult on campaign decisions and timing, and support an integrated approach to all campaigns and initiatives. Maintain open communication with faculty and staff colleagues across campus, proactively soliciting information and updates that may prove newsworthy. Hire and supervise student workers, meet with external vendors as needed, and provide general staff support as required.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with at least two years of related communications experience required. Advanced degree may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
• Excellent communication skills; strong writer and storyteller. Demonstrated success in sourcing news and information as well as pitching and placing news and feature stories with external outlets.
• Excellent organization and project management skills; good attention to detail; demonstrated ability to handle a high volume of work with shifting priorities and meet short- and long-term deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills: demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships across diverse constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in arts and/or higher education setting. Interest in/knowledge of classical music, jazz, dance, and the performing arts.
• Knowledge of Baltimore and regional media market.
• Experience with digital communications and project management platforms, including web content management systems.

Note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

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 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.

Classified Title: Communications Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PB
Starting Salary Range: $43,530 - $59,795 annually (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: 37.5 hours per week
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Peabody Institute
Department name: ​​​​​​​Communications and Web Services
Personnel area: Peabody

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 atjhurecruitment@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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