Sr. Speech Writer

We are seeking a Sr. Speech Writer who 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 Sr. Speech Writer will report to the Executive Speech Writer and be part of a writing team led by the Sr. Director of Leadership Communications and Engagement. This team is made up of writers who love a good story that is grounded in deep and thoughtful research and told in compelling language. The writer 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. Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• 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.

Special Skills & 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 with resume and cover letter.

• The position requires a Bachelor's Degree.
• Three to five years of demonstrated professional experience working within complex organizations, including experience writing and providing communications to senior leadership.

Classified Title: Sr. Speech Writer 
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PF  
Starting Salary Range: Min $84,700 - Max $148,300 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​President Office of  
Personnel area: University Administration 

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) o