Communications and Events Specialist

The SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University is a multi-disciplinary academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy by improving and expanding civic engagement and inclusive dialogue, and by supporting inquiry that leads to real-world change. Drawing its name and inspiration from the ancient agora, the institute uses research and partnerships with scholars, practitioners, students, and the public to create the shared spaces and tools that enable civic and political stakeholders around the world to realize the promise of democracy. More information about the SNF Agora Institute and its mission can be found here: https://snfagora.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/SNF-Agora-Strategic-Plan_Public.pdf.

The SNF Agora Institute is seeking a dynamic and digitally savvyCommunications and Events Specialist (Communications Specialist) to help us bring our pathbreaking research on democracy to wider audiences and create meaningful moments of dialogue and engagement with students, neighbors, and wider publics. Reporting to the director of communications, this position will focus especially on digital communications, including being primarily responsible for all social media channels and student-facing communications, and on institute event planning and promotion.

As a relatively new institute at JHU, SNF Agora has a start-up mentality, providing a high volume of activities, directed at multiple internal and external audiences, to bring greater visibility to our work and mission. Therefore, the ideal communications and events specialist will be enthusiastic about our mission to strengthen global democracy, and will bring a high level of energy, creativity, judgement, initiative, and skill to the role. Given the institute’s high profile and public nature, this role also requires someone comfortable working with senior leadership of the university, leading public intellectuals, elected officials, journalists, and others.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Communications:

In coordination with the director of communications, the communications and events specialist will support all communications functions,most notably in the following areas:

• Social Media:
  • Assist with development of social media strategy.
  • Plan, produce, and schedule content for all social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc).
  • Coordinateacross JHU, including with the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and JHU communications offices, on social media plans as well as with outside groups as appropriate.
  • Monitor both day-to-day activity and larger trends, and research the digital presence of peer institutes, to inform and evolve a data-driven strategy.
Student-Facing Communications:
Take leading role for all student-facing communications, including digital communications and in-person activities (SNF Agora Coffee Hours, Student Activities Fair, HopkinsVotes events, etc.). Assist with development ofstrategic plan for broader engagement with student groups. Liaise with Student Affairs, the JHU Center for Social Concern, and other university units working with students as needed.
Newsletter:
Develop content for SNF Agora’s general e-newsletter in coordination with director of communications; manage and edit our student e-newsletter.
Website:
Maintain and regularly update SNF Agora’s website content.
Photo/Video Archive:
Work with director of communications to create archive system and maintain video, photo, and other content archives, including coordinating with outside vendors to ensure access to content created outside of SNF Agora.
Contact Lists:
Manage internal and external subscription, mailing, and other contact lists.
Other Writing/Content Development:
Coordinate with director of communications to write news articles, website content, event descriptions, and other content as needed.
Metrics and Reporting:
Track social media and events data and create regular reports on outcomes, and contribute to annual and other reports.

Planning:
Support event planning, including selecting and securing venues; contracting with appropriate external vendors such as catering, AV, JHU internal groups (photography, video,the Hub); managing travel and related bookings for invited speakers; work with assistant director of finance to ensure event expenses are approved and within budget; process reimbursement, honoraria, etc.
Promotions:
Help develop promotional materials, including flyers and other display graphics, and paid and organic social media campaigns. Promote events via social media, e-newsletters, email outreach to targeted groups, and other activities.
Event Materials:
Help develop event materials, including on-site graphics, programs, slideshows, audience polls and other engagement materials, etc.
Event Support:
Staff events, including guest and audience management, stage set-up and breakdown, etc. For virtual events, create Zoom (or other platform) event and registration, and help host/produce events. Some events involve travel outside Baltimore.
Metrics and Reporting:
Track events outcomes (registration, attendance, etc.) and manage other information collected through event registration or participation.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):

• Bachelor’s Degree and two years related experience required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years progressively responsible communications experience strongly preferred.
• Events planning and coordination experience; experience with student audiences preferred.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to speak comfortably with diverse audiences.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to create social media content, newsletter articles, blog posts, and emails/letters that are creative as well as excellent in form, style, grammar, and spelling.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to develop appropriate timelines and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Think creatively and strategically.
• Maintain a calm temperament, even under pressure.
• Be flexible, and an active problem solver.
• Be a team player who is excited to work with faculty, staff, students, and others within SNF Agora and with colleagues across and beyond the university.
• Commitment to the SNF Agora Institute mission

Technical Qualifications/Specialized Certifications:

• MS Office suite of software applications
• Wordpress or other content management system
• Social media platforms
• Must be comfortable learning new systems.

Physical Requirements:

• Evening and weekend work will be required at times to staff and manage events.

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
Working Title: Communications and Events Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PB
Starting Salary Range: $43,970 - $59,000 annually (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8:30 am - 5:00 om
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: ​​​​​​​Homewood Campus
Department name: ​​​​​​​SNF Agora Institute
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences

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.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons or because the individual is pregnant or attempting to become pregnant. 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/.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

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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