Position Summary:
The Executive Director, Strategic External Communications is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communication and public relations strategies for Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Health System. This is a senior-level role that is responsible for managing Johns Hopkins Medicine’s reputation through strategic reactive and proactive efforts, with a focus on external audiences and stakeholders.

The Executive Director, Strategic External Communications reports to and serves as deputy to the Chief Communications Officer, helping to tackle emerging issues while collaborating with Marketing and Government & Community Affairs peers to advance proactive reputation-building campaigns.

This role will have oversight of external communications efforts occurring at each Johns Hopkins Health System hospital and will be responsible for elevating and addressing issues that emerge at the hospitals with the potential to impact the reputation of Johns Hopkins Medicine. This role works closely with its peers in internal communications and business line communications to ensure comprehensive and coordinated communications efforts.

Reporting Relationship: Reports to Vice President of Communications and Chief Communications Officer / JHM

Key Responsibilities:
• Develop and implement a comprehensive external communications and public relations strategy for Johns Hopkins Medicine.
• Serve as deputy to the Chief Communications Officer, collaborating with Johns Hopkins Medicine leadership and various departments to identify external communications efforts that are aligned with the institution’s mission, values, and strategic goals.
• Establish an issues management approach and tracking system and appropriately allocate resources against issues requiring increased attention.
• Lead the development of crisis communications plans (in close collaboration with the Chief Communications Officer and peers in internal communications) and serve as a key point of contact for media when crises or issue-related inquiries arise.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets and journalists to effectively communicate Johns Hopkins Medicine’s mission, vision and values.
• Along with the Executive Director of Employee and Client Engagement, oversee a team of seven hospital communications leaders who are responsible for internal and external communications at each location. This role will also directly oversee a director of external communications for the institution. This includes the supervision and mentoring of members of the communications team, including setting consistent system wide performance goals and providing ongoing feedback and support.
• Serve as an internal champion for the communications team, especially external communications efforts, ensuring that Johns Hopkins Medicine leadership and staff understand the role of the communications team, the need for consistent communications, and the function’s priorities and accomplishments.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism or a related field. Masters preferred.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related field, with a proven track record of success in managing communication and public relations efforts for a large organization.
• Strong communications planning skills, and close attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and mentor a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages that are clear, concise, and easy to understand.
• Ability to think strategically and develop long-term communications plans that align with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including expertise in presentations, team facilitation, and the ability to provide constructive feedback.
• Strong judgment, willingness to navigate ambiguity and a drive to seek continuous improvement.
• Experience in media relations and crisis communications.
• Experience in health care communications preferred. Academic Medical Center experience a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and social media platforms.

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