Writer - Office of the President
Writer, Office of the President
General Description
The Writer will serve as an integral part of the President's Office team, working to tell the story of Johns University and convey the priorities of the President to a broad array of national and local audiences. Through speeches, talking points, media statements, and other messages, the writer will help articulate the vision and ideas of the University President in compelling and creative ways. The work will cover topics ranging from issues facing higher education and public policy, to the student experience, to the University’s engagement with Baltimore, among many others.
The Writer will report to the Director of Speechwriting and be part of a writing team that loves a good story grounded in deep and thoughtful research and told in compelling language. They must have demonstrated talents for producing high-quality written work on deadline, for gathering complex information and translating it to a variety of audiences, and for navigating and interpreting feedback from multiple sources. A successful candidate will be self-motivated, flexible, and highly collaborative, and will bring both humanity and good humor to their work.
The primary duties and responsibilities of the job:
• Research and draft a range of written and spoken communications, including speeches, talking points, letters, quotes, columns, and other materials.
• Ensure the President’s remarks serve the event and the audience by reviewing all briefing materials on meetings, events, and other interactions with speaking components.
• Conduct research and interviews for written and spoken communications.
• Review remarks, letters, and communications materials prepared for the President, including those drafted by other offices, and ensure that they are accurate, appropriate, and carefully proofed.
• Build and sustain relationships with colleagues in offices of university leadership, faculty, staff, and other constituents to fuel and inform communications materials.
• Monitor and analyze major issues in higher education, public policy, and popular culture, as well as ongoing developments across our campuses in order to appropriately address these issues in communications.
• Apply discretion and diplomacy while working with sensitive information to advance the priorities of the Office of the President.
Qualifications
The position requires a Bachelor's degree and at least three (3) years related experience.
Special skills and knowledge:
• Consistently excellent oral and written communications skills
• Excellent research, analytical and storytelling skills
• Knowledge of grammar usage and editorial style guidelines
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information quickly and accurately
• Ability to work quickly on deadline, while balancing competing priorities and tackling multiple assignments
• Ability to maintain the utmost discretion and diplomacy and to interact effectively with high-level individuals
• Ability to be flexible, self-motivated and collaborative in order to deliver high quality work product in multiple communications mediums
NOTE: Please include three writing samples and a paragraph answering the following question: What interests you most about being a writer for the Johns Hopkins University President.
Classified Title: Speech Writer
Working Title: Writer, Office of the President
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD
Starting Salary Range: Commensurate with experience
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 8:30 - 5:00
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: 01-MD:Homewood Campus
Department name: 10000002-President Office of
Personnel area: University Administration
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.