Job Description

Position Announcement – June 2025

Director of Communications & Public Affairs

Black Wealth Data Center

The Black Wealth Data Center (BWDC) is seeking a talented and collaborative communications leader to serve as its first-ever Director of Communications & Public Affairs. This person will play a senior role in the organization's growth and development.

The Director of Communications & Public Affairs will develop and implement an ambitious organizational communications and public affairs strategy with a focus on driving organizational growth, increasing visibility, and advancing BWDC’s mission.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will work in close collaboration with the funder, senior leadership, staff, vendors, and partners. Stakeholder communication, engagement, and management will be a critical skill.

The ideal candidate will have a diverse communications background, including experience and ease working in high-performing teams in matrixed organizations. They will bring deep expertise in developing strategic messaging and building multifaceted media strategies, the ability to work with data and digital teams, an enterprising spirit, and a passion for assessing wealth distribution and addressing underinvestment.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that advances BWDC’s mission and enhances brand visibility.
• Build and lead the communications and public affairs presence for the organization, using deep understanding of targeted messaging, BWDC’s mission, and communication trends to guide its voice and decision-making.
• Advise and support the Executive Director as the organization's public voice of the organization and draft talking points, speeches, and other materials.
• Conceptualize, develop, and maintain a distinct brand identity that resonates with partners, users, vendors, stakeholders, and government entities.
• Translate strategies to well-designed, compelling pitches.
• Work closely with internal leadership and stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment on communications strategy and goals.
• Ensure all communications and public affairs activities align with and promote the organization's mission and strategic objectives.
• Partner with the data, partnerships, and product teams to build messaging for new tools and highlight impactful narratives that elevate the impact of the BWDC.
• Develop and cultivate strong external relationships that strengthen the organization's mission, including key stakeholders, users, vendors, and the media.
• Manage relationships with media outlets and reporters and exercise excellent judgment in prioritizing media opportunities.
• Oversee BWDC’s vendor relationships that support marketing, branding, communications, public relations and related activities.
• Produce high quality, timely written communications content.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent and persuasive communication skills with experience in organizational communications, media relations, strategic messaging, branding and marketing, and digital content.
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary initiatives, including strategic planning, relationship management, and coalition-building in a matrixed environment.
• Strong commitment to and understanding of racial and economic justice issues and ability to represent BWDC’s mission and vision with external audiences, especially legislators, staff, media, public officials and the public.
• Commitment to collaboration and the ability to receive and implement input from various stakeholders.
• Track record of translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
• Team player, problem solver, and impact-driven professional who can thrive in a fast-paced culture.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and the ability to effectively interface with internal and external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline required.
• Seven years of experience in journalism, media relations, communications, or other related experience required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond HS Diploma/Graduation Equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range of $200,000 - $215,000 annually and commensurate with experience. This is a full time and exempt position, with a hybrid schedule of three to four days in the Washington D.C. office. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: .

To Apply

Submit a resume and a cover letter at . The cover letter should be concise and compelling and outline the specific ways in which you would be a good match for this position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the .

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EEO is the Law:

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu . For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit .

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