Assistant Dean Of Communications & Marketing (Sais, School Of Advanced International Studies)

The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) seeks an **Assistant Dean of Communications & Marketing** to lead and enhance the school's global visibility and reputation. This senior leadership role involves developing, implementing, and assessing comprehensive external and internal communications and marketing strategies to advance SAIS's mission. The Assistant Dean will highlight the academic rigor, policy relevance, and unique opportunities across SAIS locations (Washington, DC, Bologna, Italy, Nanjing, China).

This role requires a strategic thinker with deep understanding of academic and foreign affairs communications, proven experience in fast-paced media environments, and the ability to engage diverse external constituencies including press, public officials, and international affairs influencers. You will lead multifaceted communications efforts, manage multidisciplinary teams, and drive initiatives in brand awareness, enrollment marketing, and stakeholder engagement.

• *Key Responsibilities:**
• *Strategic Planning & Leadership**
• Develop and align departmental goals with SAIS's strategic plan and values.
• Craft overall strategic communications and marketing plans, identifying key audiences, priorities, and deliverables.
• Establish objectives, track metrics, monitor progress, and report impact to leadership.
• Provide strategic and tactical guidance on communications opportunities and risks to protect and enhance the school's reputation.
• Build communications and marketing infrastructure, including visual and website assets.
• Liaise with Johns Hopkins University communications offices for collaboration.
• *External Communications & Media Relations**
• Lead media engagement and digital communications to promote SAIS's work, faculty, and programs.
• Drive forward-looking media relations to elevate school leaders and faculty as thought-leaders.
• Develop and deploy robust owned-media strategies across social media, websites, video, podcasts, and events.
• Oversee crisis communication preparedness and execution for internal and external audiences.
• Serve as a school spokesperson and prepare faculty/experts for media appearances.
• *Internal Communications**
• Develop and execute internal communication plans for faculty, staff, and students, ensuring consistent messaging.
• Partner with leadership to refine and anticipate internal messaging needs.
• *Marketing & Branding**
• Lead marketing for academic programs, scholarship, and events through coordinated campaigns.
• Develop strategies to enhance awareness and position SAIS with prospective students, faculty, staff, and the public policy community.
• Oversee the school’s brand and visual identity, ensuring adherence to university guidelines.
• Plan and execute a brand audit and website update campaign.
• Monitor trends in higher education and international relations, providing updates to leadership.
• *Team Management**
• Lead, coach, develop, and supervise the communications and marketing team.
• Manage the department's budget, optimizing resource allocation.
• Oversee outside contractors and vendors.
• Develop strategies for continuous improvement and adaptation to new technologies.
• *Collaboration & Partnerships**
• Serve as liaison to JHU communications offices and other external organizations.
• Represent SAIS in university committees and professional functions.
• *Qualifications:**
• *Minimum Requirements**
• Bachelor's Degree.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible managerial experience leading full-service strategic communications and marketing programs.
• *Preferred Qualifications**
• Experience developing comprehensive strategic communications programs engaging international and foreign affairs media.
• Ability to build trust and influence at the executive level, advising senior leaders.
• Robust network of journalists, media professionals, and foreign policy experts.
• Strong media relations experience, comfort speaking on the record, and building high-level media contacts.
• Familiarity with diverse media relations and marketing tools, with a track record of incorporating new technologies.
• Experience leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams, managing projects in a fast-paced environment, and overseeing budgets and contractors.
• Previous professional experience or content expertise in academic or government environments.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• *Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities**
• Hands-on experience engaging national and international media, public officials, policy influencers, and diplomatic communities.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships with stakeholders.
• Superior writing and editing skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex projects under pressure.
• Sophisticated understanding of current foreign affairs debates and implications for higher education.
• *Additional Information:**
• **Salary Range:** $165,000 - $180,000 Annually (Commensurate with experience).
• **Location:** Hybrid (On-site 3-4 days a week).
• **FLSA Status:** Exempt.

This position may be eligible for a discretionary retention and performance bonus.