Sr. Director Strategic Initiatives & Public Affairs (CTY Strategic Initiatives/Public Affairs)

# **Sr. Director Strategic Initiatives & Public Affairs**
### Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)

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, 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.

We are seeking a **Sr. Director Strategic Initiatives & Public Affairs**, who will serve as CTY’s chief strategy officer, focusing on mission‑aligned initiatives and outcomes. The role oversees strategic programming and leads the center’s public affairs functions, including its communications and marketing team, as well as its strategic partnerships. The incumbent has broad oversight over administrative and programmatic initiatives ranging from organizational change management and project execution to issues management and cross‑departmental coordination.

Working closely with the administrative and academic leaders of the center, the role helps execute and communicate the vision outlined in CTY’s strategic roadmap and maintains key internal and external relationships to achieve outcomes critical to the center’s success, including its focus on increasing access and sharing knowledge and expertise with the field.

The role provides strategic thought partnership to the Executive Director, including but not limited to creating structure and process; cohesion and alignment; and overseeing the implementation of critical priorities as needed. The senior director of strategic initiatives and public affairs supports CTY Research by facilitating connections to CTY programs and to the broader university community. This role requires strong organizational, communication, and management skills, including judgment, strategic planning, writing, project management, coordination of groups, implementation, and analysis. As needed, the role will represent the Executive Director and center both internally and externally.

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## **Strategy and Partnerships**

– **Develop institutional goals** — Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership to develop and execute institutional goals and priorities; ensure implementation plans and progress are effectively communicated across CTY and the university.
– **Lead cross‑unit initiatives** — Drive key strategic initiatives to fruition, serving as executive sponsor and, when needed, project manager.
– **Advance organizational improvement** — Support a culture of continuous improvement, integration, excellence, inclusion, and professionalism.
– **Assess risks and barriers** — Identify issues that impede operations or mission fulfillment; develop and implement solutions.
– **Identify engagement opportunities** — Anticipate opportunities for CTY leadership and staff to participate in university and field‑wide events.
– **Serve as strategic liaison** — Represent the Executive Director with internal and external constituencies and committees.
– **Monitor priorities** — Track progress on goals and action items.
– **Oversee budgets** — Provide budget oversight for multiple cost centers.
– **Build university partnerships** — Strengthen relationships with the School of Education, academic units, and university administration.
– **Integrate research** — Advocate for research integration within CTY programming.
– **Support research events** — Assist with planning symposia and research‑centered events.

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## **Strategic Programming**

– **Oversee access and partnership programs** — Lead CTY’s principal access and partnership programs and manage high‑profile external relationships.
– **Develop mission‑aligned offerings** — Bring revenue‑generating, mission‑aligned offerings to priority audiences in collaboration with subject‑matter experts and program teams.
– **Collaborate on grants** — Work with Research and Program staff on grant applications and reporting.
– **Engage donors** — Develop proposals and engage prospective donors.

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## **Communications and Marketing**

– **Lead issue and crisis communications** — Serve as point person to the Executive Director on issue management, crisis communications, and stakeholder relations.
– **Prepare executive materials** — Research, draft, and prepare reports, presentations, speeches, agendas, and briefings.
– **Supervise communications leadership** — Manage the Director of Communications and Marketing in developing and executing enrollment marketing plans.
– **Inform enrollment strategy** — Contribute to enrollment goals and marketing budget planning.
– **Coordinate leadership communications** — Work with communications staff on internal and external leadership communications.
– **Collaborate on issues management** — Partner with the central university’s issues management team as needed.
– **Promote CTY visibility** — Oversee communications strategies that elevate CTY’s reputation.

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## **Supervisory Responsibility**

This position directly manages the **Director of Communications and Marketing** and the **Director of Strategic Programs and Partnerships**, with oversight of **5–7 full‑time staff** and **1–2 casual staff members**.

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## **Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**

– **Build strong networks** and influence outcomes across levels.
– Experience working with higher education institutions and executive management.
– Cross‑functional experience (HR, Academic Affairs, Finance, Marketing, Development, etc.).
– Ability to analyze and resolve complex, multi‑faceted problems.
– Ability to work independently, exercise discretion, and manage competing priorities.
– Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
– Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
– Creative, imaginative, and self‑directed.
– Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism.

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## **Minimum Qualifications**

– Bachelor’s degree required.
– Minimum **7 years** of experience in business, consulting, program development, or project management.
– **10+ years** of relevant experience in higher education or nonprofit organizations preferred.
– Ability to travel occasionally (including internationally) and work nights/weekends as needed.
– Hybrid schedule (Tuesday–Thursday in office); occasional Monday/Friday presence required.
– JHU equivalency formula may apply for education/experience substitutions.

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## **Position Details**

**Classified Title:** Sr. Director Strategic Initiatives
**Working Title:** Sr. Director Strategic Initiatives & Public Affairs
**Role/Level/Range:** L/04/LH
**Starting Salary Range:** $127,300–$223,000 annually (target: $170,000–$180,000; commensurate with experience)
**Employee Group:** Full Time
**Schedule:** Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
**FLSA Status:** Exempt
**Location:** Hybrid / Mount Washington Campus
**Department:** CTY Strategic Initiatives/Public Affairs
**Personnel Area:** Academic and Business Centers

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## **Total Rewards**

Johns Hopkins offers a comprehensive total rewards package supporting health, life, career, and retirement.
More information: `https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/`

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## **Education & Experience Equivalency**

Refer to the job description for permitted equivalencies.
JHU Equivalency Formula:
– 30 undergraduate credits or 18 graduate credits = 1 year of experience
– Additional related experience may substitute for required education
– Up to 2 years of non‑related college coursework may apply where permitted

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## **Applicants Completing Studies**

Applicants completing their final academic term may be considered and may be asked to confirm their completion date.

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## **Background Checks**

All candidates are subject to a pre‑employment background check.
A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude employment; JHU reviews each case individually.

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## **Diversity and Inclusion**

Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity, and inclusion and advances these through the **JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion**.

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## **Equal Opportunity Employer**

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics.
EEO is the Law:
`https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf`

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## **Accommodation Information**

For assistance or accommodations during the hiring process:
**Email:** [email protected]
**TTY:** Maryland Relay or 711
More information: `https://accessibility.jhu.edu/`

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## **Vaccine Requirements**

JHU requires all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.
Medical and religious exceptions may be requested.

Additional immunization requirements may apply depending on campus or role.

Apply here