Senior Communications Specialist-News Media

Join an amazing global healthcare organization!

Excellent compensation package!

Awesome benefits, and tuition reimbursement!

Position Summary:

Plan, manage, edit and write narratives for JHM to support our strategic priorities. Identify stories and produce high-quality written materials for JHM electronic, print, web, video, and media outlets. Stories include but are not limited to research news and translating complex business initiatives or biomedical research into language clear and comprehensible to readers unfamiliar with the subject matter; feature articles and stories about institutional initiatives and programs and/or faculty profiles. Develop and maintain relationships with faculty, staff, and members of the local and national media to provide media relations services to advance public awareness of Johns Hopkins Medicine's mission and achievements. Assist in planning, developing collateral material, and implementing media relations and internal communications to support various events including but not limited to press conferences, symposia, town halls, and leadership internal communication.

Web site content management systems, social media management platforms, media management, data analysis and distribution platforms. Modern collaboration tools and platforms. Basic Microsoft office suite.

Education:

Master's or Bachelor's degree in life sciences, science writing, journalism, or communications required. Advanced degree in related field preferred.

Licensure/Certification:

N/A

Required Work Experience:

A minimum of five years of experience in freelancing, writing, journalism, media relations, or public affairs, is required. Will accept a Master's with three years of experience or a Ph.D. in a relevant biomedical field with one year of experience.

Department Preferred:

Client management experience in working with client leadership and stakeholders to translate vision into action and ultimately achievement. Background in working in a large, matrixed environment with multiple executives, departments and goals. Successful history in working with news media and achieving media placements in top/mid tier, trade and local outlets

Department Preferred Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:

Highly motivated and enthusiastic about communications, specifically working with news media. Proactive and strategic communications planning, execution and successful placement of stories in earned media and JHM/JHTV owned channels. Ability to engage with departmental leadership to offer communications expertise, recommendations and fresh ideas for how to meet and exceed expectations. Experience building internal relationships with key stakeholders to find stories and source content. Experience owning the relationship between JHTV and other M&C functions to ensure priority messaging and stories is amplified across the institution. Have a positive attitude with high energy and proactivity.

• Proven skills in complex narrative writing and editing, including the ability to translate medical, technical, scientific, or statistical information for lay and other audiences.
• Requires strong communication skills and proven ability to precisely and objectively communicate information and give and receive clear messages;
• Requires demonstrated experience in high-quality writing and editing, working successfully on deadlines, and designing and implementing communications plans and strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising and implementing effective external and internal communications plans and strategies and in editing/writing high-quality retail or academic publications is required.
• Effective use of communication tools, including print, Web, media relations, electronic media, and other e-communication tools;
• AP Style and ability to apply institutional style standards consistently. Requires familiarity and comfort with biomedical terminology.
• Familiarity with media tracking services and databases preferred.
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment and effectively prioritizing and managing multiple projects at once, while setting and meeting demanding deadlines;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Sound judgment and discretion and the ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information;
• Demonstrated excellence in narrative writing and editing.
• Ability to work effectively and independently with the highest levels of faculty.

JHM prioritizes the health and well-being of every employee. Come be healthy at Hopkins!

Diversity and Inclusion are Johns Hopkins Medicine Core Values. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where we embrace and celebrate our differences, where all employees feel valued, contribute to our mission of serving the community, and engage in equitable healthcare delivery and workforce practices.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are drug-free workplace employers.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.