Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) supports Johns Hopkins’ focus on research, teaching and patient care, and its role as a national and global leader in higher education. We create and foster enduring relationships that result in advocacy and philanthropic support for Johns Hopkins University & Medicine—strengthening the institution through partnerships with donors, alumni, volunteer leaders, faculty, students, staff, and patients.

Johns Hopkins University supports a flexible work model which includes four different work modalities. This role has a hybrid work arrangement with an onsite presence of 3 days per week. The manager will confirm the team’s core onsite days where the majority/all team members will work in the office. Employees who travel on university business can count those days towards their onsite days.

Founded in 1979, the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is a center for innovation dedicated to advancing the field of gifted education through research on testing, programs, and other supports for advanced learners. On the premise that advanced learners come from every community and every demographic, we aim to understand and inform how these students need to be nurtured to achieve their full potential as learners and global citizens. CTY also runs in-person and online academic programs for bright learners in order to cultivate a community of advanced learners and connect students in and outside the classroom.

The Development Communications Specialist (DCS) reports to the Sr. Director of Development and is responsible for managing all Center for Talented Youth communications that relate to its fundraising and constituent engagement activities. The DCS works to ensure that all CTY communications to donors, alumni, parents, and other external audiences are of the highest possible quality, executed on time, within budget restraints, and are produced with exceptional attention to detail.

Key responsibilities: 

Writing and Editing

• Research, write, and deploy compelling content and correspondence for CTY’s alumni, donors, and select external audiences through digital and print communication channels, including invitations, programs, and other event-related materials; advisory board communications and website; acknowledgement letters and stewardship reports; event scripts; campaign case statements; electronic newsletters; proposals and gift agreements; and social media content.
• Procure and research images for print and online communications.
• Gain knowledge of CTY’s history, strategic goals, and program offerings, both in-person and online.
• Exchange non-routine, and at times confidential, information with a high level of professionalism and tact.
• Create plans and timelines for communications projects that are well-vetted with stakeholders and allow for projects to be completed on deadline.
• Ensure all communication projects and marketing efforts comply with University branding guidelines and JHU use-of-name guidelines by building a collaborative work relationship with CTY’s director of communications and marketing and other CTY and central DAR communications professionals.
• Ensure all communications are produced with the highest level of excellence, including fact-checking and copy editing, and have been approved by all relevant stakeholders.
• Work directly and meet monthly with members of CTY’s Communications and Marketing team to ensure that all development communications are in line with CTY’s best practices and guidelines.
• Create mailing lists for invitations, newsletters, and other correspondence.
• Manage development mailings and e-solicitations.

Administrative Duties

• Create and maintain an editorial calendar.
• Provide communications support for meetings and donor and prospect visits.
• Provide support and coverage for the Development Coordinator and the Constituent Engagement Team for proofing and editing content.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• Two years related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Master's degree.
• Understanding of and familiarity with social media platforms including but not limited to: Instagram. LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, X, and Flickr.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Experience with project management and communication tools such as Slack, KIRA, and Confluence.
• Experience with design and publication tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Marq, and Canva.
• Experience with digital marketing platforms such as Constant Contact and Marketing Cloud 
• Experience with SalesForce database.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong administrative, organizational, and project management skills. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse constituencies, meet deadlines, be self-motivated, and work independently.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Excellent writing, editing, grammar, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to work both individually and as a part of a team.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and adjust to changing priorities.

Classified Title: Communications Specialist 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Communications Specialist, The Center for Talented Youth   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/03/PB  
Starting Salary Range: Minimum: $46,200 - Maximum: $80,799 (targeted salary: $63,500; commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Mount Washington Campus 
Department name: 10000090-Development 
Personnel area: Academic and Business Centers