The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security (CHS) works to protect health from epidemics and disasters, fostering resilience in communities facing major challenges. Their research emphasizes enhancing global health security through policy development, scientific progress, and technological innovation. The Center collaborates internationally and across disciplines to tackle a range of health threats, from infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics to natural disasters and biological risks.

We are looking for a dynamic Communications Officer to join the Center’s Communications team and support the implementation of internal and external communication strategies. The Communications Officer will assist in planning and implementing social and earned media campaigns; promoting the Center events, projects, and publications; tracking the impact of communications tactics; and supporting editorial and internal communication efforts as needed. This position reports directly to the Center’s Director of Communications and works closely with the Center’s communications team as well as faculty and support staff. Detailed duties and responsibilities are listed below.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Content Creation

• Being an integral member of the Center’s Communications team, supporting the Center's execution of its communications strategy and development of related materials from conceptualization to completion; ensuring quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of all materials.
• Produce engaging, clear, and informative written content, including but not limited to: reports, blog posts, news stories, social media posts, event materials, announcements, web pages, and remarks.
• Create engaging visual, digital, and multimedia content in support of communications objectives such as infographics, postcards, and reels.
• Ensure all communications adhere to CHS and University editorial and visual style guidelines.
• Stay current on public health (health security) developments and communications industry trends; and, propose innovative ideas to enhance CHS communication efforts.

Digital and Social Media

• Develop a regular publishing schedule/editorial calendar; craft innovative and compelling content for CHS social media accounts including LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Threads; and, post across social media accounts.
• Track, analyze, and report the performance of digital campaigns and social media analytics on a regular cadence and as needed; use analytics to optimize digital media execution; and, provide recommendations for improving the reach and execution of the social media strategy in amplifying the Center’s work.
• Monitor public mentions of the Center and providing timely notice of opportunities, concerns, and recommendations to the Director of Communications, CHS leadership, and project leads as appropriate.
• Collaborate with partner organizations, the University, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health to coordinate digital and social media efforts.

Earned Media Relations

• Coordinate and track media interviews with CHS experts.
• Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities and support the Director of Communications in responding to media inquiries as needed.
• Develop pitches, talking points, presentations, and other material as needed.

Coordination & Collaboration

• Create and adhere to the project plans and timelines to guide communications strategies and collaboration within the Center.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, media outlets, and industry influencers.

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

• Knowledgeable about digital and multimedia storytelling for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge and experience in public health and health communications campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience in generating and optimizing social media, digital, and website content.
• Experience using design software, program management, and media monitoring platforms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and editing skills.
• Ability to distill complex information into key messages and calls to action.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Teams and SharePoint.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to learn and incorporate new design software and program management tools into existing workstreams.
• Ability to work well under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple groups, including communications professionals, internal faculty and staff members, funders, program participants, and others as required.

Classified Title: Communications Associate 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Communications Officer   
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD  
Starting Salary Range: $62,900 - $110,100 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/School of Public Health 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Health Security  
Personnel area: School of Public Health