Assistant Director of Digital Engagement and Social Media, Office of Alumni Relations

The Office of Alumni Relations at Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Communications Specialist to join its growing communications team. The Office of Alumni Relations, based on the Homewood Campus in Baltimore, Maryland, is dedicated to enhancing the alumni experience through its programming, communities, online resources, and networking services, under the brand of the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association (JHAA).

Working under the direction of the Senior Associate Director of Communications, the Communications Specialist will assist in the development and implementation of communications strategies through a variety of digital channels, crafting messaging and digital collateral for over 241K Johns Hopkins alumni.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, highly creative and collaborative, with considerable skills in message and content development, have a solid sense for design—including implementing the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association’s brand —and demonstrated experience producing high-quality, engaging, and effective communications efforts.

Specific duties & responsibilities

The Communications Specialistis responsible forthe development, management, and execution of social media and digital content across a variety of platforms that aims to build brand awareness and enhance the JHAA’s reputation locally, nationally and internationally. This role serves as the lead for maintaining and managing JHAA’s social media channels and digital platforms, working collaboratively across Development and Alumni Relations and the university to create a unique and creative brand for Alumni Relations and the JHAA which aligns with the strategic priorities outlined in our Alumni Engagement Strategic Plan, ensuring a more cohesive brand identity.

TheCommunications Specialistwill:

• Support theSenior Associate Director of Communications, the Director of Alumni Relations and Strategy, and theAVP for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving to develop strategies to align the office's communications and outreach functions.

• Act as the creative lead to manage the successful execution of digital and social media communications efforts from conceptualization to completion, ensuring the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of all components, toexpand the JHAA’s social media and digital engagement presence.
  
• Co-manage 1 to 2 student workers.

• Partner with teammates within the Office of Alumni Relations as well as colleagues in Development Communications and across the university to keep abreast of relevant and impactful stories, events, and university announcements to support the Office’s strategic plan to broaden JHAA’s presence to engage more alumni.
  
• Plan and produce engaging and informative written, visual, and multimedia content in support of the JHAA’s communications objectives;partner with Assistant Director to ensure JHAA social media activities are fully integrated with other outreach efforts. Assist in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive Alumni Relations editorial calendar.
  
• Define key performance indicators and implement measurement, analytics, and reporting methods to gauge success of digital and social engagement tactics; report high-level takeaways to leadership; interpret results to Alumni Relations colleagues; and implement insights into future actions.

• Assist in content development and maintenance (when needed) of Alumni Association website content at alumni.jhu.edu.
  
• Serve as a lead for the Alumni Hub of onehop.jhu.edu, the Johns Hopkins community’s online networking and directory platform. Oversee the creation of relevant, timely, and engaging content for the platform’s discussion board and resources and serve as the representative in PeopleGrove’s client community to share, learn, and use best practices to drive repeat visits and participation of current users. Develop and implement targeted communications, including email, to acquire new community members and oversee the data imports of prospective users. Oversee daily approval of new community members. Interpret and create reports on user insights to Alumni Relations and university colleagues.
  
• Work closely with Director of Hopkins Connect who oversees the Mentoring Hub of onehop.jhu.edu; coordinate the promotion of shared content and student pathways and collaborate on the transition process from students to alumni on the platform.
  
• Manage the Office of Alumni Relations’ relationship with Social Toaster to ensure the effective development and marketing of our social media ambassadorship program, Hopkins Promoters. Develop strategies to increase current user engagement and prospective user awareness and adoption.

• Collaborate with the Office of Annual Giving to support and promote JHAA and university annual giving fundraising initiatives, including the university’s giving days #GiveTueHopkins and #OneHopkins.
  
• Stay abreast of emerging social media and digital platforms, technologies and trends; identify new opportunitiesto creatively engage alumni digitally, including, but not limited to video, podcasting, webcasting, and surveying.
  
• Serve as a resource to advise colleagues on communications best practices, Alumni Association and university guidelines, and brand standards.
  
• Research the digital presence of other higher education and nonprofit institutions; establish relationships with peer institutions as resources for industry best practices.
  
• Coordinate with designers, photographers, printers, and other vendors as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.

A minimum of 2 years related experience of demonstrated communications experience.

Advanced degree may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, english, fine arts or related field, preferably in the higher-ed or nonprofit space.

Experience in digital journalism or marketing is desirable.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Superior attention to detail; ability to think creatively, strategically, and analytically.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, concise copy for digital and print materials; strong editing and proofreading skills.
• Solid understanding of principles of design; demonstrated experience working within established brand standards. Proficient in creative design platforms (Adobe Creative Cloud).
• Extensive knowledge of and fluency within social media platforms and communications in a professional setting.
• Experience using content management systems (e.g. Drupal) and email marketing platforms; familiarity with HTML/CSS.
• Knowledge of digital and social media trends; understanding of measurement tools (e.g. Google Analytics, Sprout Social) and how to translate data insights into action.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple groups, including alumni, staff, and students.
• Experience conducting interviews to develop digital and social media content.
• Self-motivated with excellent problem-solving, time management, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under deadlines and simultaneously juggle several assignments.

Technical qualifications

• Skills in graphic design, photography, or videography preferred.
• Proficient in using Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Photoshop, In-Design, Spark, Illustrator).
• Experience with content management systems and email design platforms, including Drupal and Dreamweaver.
• Familiar with web accessibility standards as well as best practices for usability, content styling and presentation, and search engine optimization

Supervisory responsibilities

Shared supervision of up to 2 student workers.

This position is a full-time position located in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to COVID protocols, the position is currently in a hybrid structure with a weekly combination of days in the office and at home until university restrictions have been lifted.

Classified Title:Communications Specialist
Working Title: Assistant Director of Digital Engagement and Social Media, Office of Alumni Relations
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PB
Starting Salary Range:Commensurate with experience
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: 01-MD:Homewood Campus
Department name: 10001651-Alumni Relations
Personnel area: University Administration

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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