Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Nature of Responsibilities

Develop and implement communications plans, policies, and processes for the Division of Student Affairs that result in content that effectively support the division’s communications priorities and can be shared widely with the university community and public across multiple media formats. Lead the development and branding processes for websites, social media, major projects, and publications. As needed, serve on university-wide communications committees, and attend university-wide communications meetings. Provide leadership and counsel to departments across the division regarding effective marketing and communications strategies. Establish standards and provide oversight of editorial content for websites, social media publications, and other internal and external communication channels. This position supervises communications staff responsible for, newsletter production, crisis communication, social media, graphic and video production, website management, among other communication functions.

Specific Duties

1. Develop and implement a divisional communications strategy to identify objectives, strategies, target audiences, tactics and key messages for initiatives and projects. Consult with internal and external stakeholders to identify needs, discern objectives and in consultation with appropriate divisional and University partners, develop effective approaches to communications with students and other stakeholders. Assess effectiveness of communications strategies and modify approaches as necessary. (35%)

Maintain collaborative working relationships with Student Affairs units, including overseeing the convening of a working group of Division staff with marketing and communications responsibilities on a regular basis, to provide editorial guidelines and oversight related to websites, social media, publications, and other communication channels ensuring consistency of style and freshness of and usability of content in support of strategic and operational goals. (25%)

Collaborate with offices across the University, including but not limited to: the Duke Office of News and Communications (ONC), Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Education, undergraduate and graduate schools and departments, and other key communications contacts within the University. Work with these colleagues in developing, delivering, and assessing key institutional messages to students, parents, and other internal and external constituencies. (15%)

Oversee the Division’s major communications efforts in print and digital media, ensuring alignment with institutional messages. Provide consultation on the creation and/or revision of departmental publications or communications, including determination of content and design as well as editing and production. Provide consultation to departments regarding the use of technical consultants, graphic designers, photographers, and freelancers as needed. Edit bulletins and other University publications containing information about Student Affairs (5%)

Serve as Project Advisor for the Project Media Experiential Orientation Program or other student programming as needed. (5%)

Manage vendor relationships to produce content to support communication plans and goals for the department. (5%)

Perform other duties incidental to the work described herein.

Expected Qualifications

Work requires communications, marketing, strategic planning, analytical and organizational skills generally required through the completion of Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications, English or a related field. Minimum 4 years’ experience in communications, public relations, marketing or other directly relevant field.
• Applicants should demonstrate successful experience in
• developing and implementing strategic communications programs across multiple media formats;
• developing communications plans, including crisis communications, with measurable outcomes and relevant assessment methodologies;
• developing and implementing branding strategies in print and electronic media.
• development and distribution of content within social media platform;
• execution of crisis communications, including developing communications plans for emergency events

Preference for experience in Student Affairs, Admissions, or other student-focused department or organization.

Desired Skills and Competencies

• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a complex environment to maximize creative thinking that results in new approaches or quality improvements.
• Consistent demonstration of culturally competent behaviors and attitudes.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Proven ability to organize and manage multiple priorities and projects, and excellent time management skills.

• Understanding of design, construction, and delivery of electronic communications.
• Knowledge of graphic design and digital production applications.
• Ability to track, measure, and adjust work priorities using marketing analytics.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field required.

Experience

Minimum 10 years' experience in communications, public relations, marketing or other directly relevant field. Experience communicating with and about students is strongly preferred.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.