DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Occupational Summary

In partnership with the Chair, Vice Chair of Administration and Finance, and senior leadership, compose, edit, manage and execute an internal and external strategy for communications, public image, and media relations for the Department of Surgery. This includes production of materials for department initiatives, website management, department-wide meeting materials, internal communications, social media management, and information channels to / from individual faculty, as well as development of materials to showcase departmental successes to our external constituents.

Please note this position is required to be onsite 3 days per week.

Work Performed

• Work with the Vice Chair of Administration and Finance and other internal constituencies for development and execution of a strategic communications plan that builds visibility and public image for the department and demonstrates the vision of the Chairman.
• Provide leadership and direction to team of communications professionals consisting of editors, medical illustrators, designers and marketing professionals.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to align team members’ professional goals with the mission and vision of the department and its communications strategy.
• Working with division chiefs, vice chairs, and leadership, develop strategies and implement solutions to significantly improve departmental communication channels to all level of department faculty, trainees, and staff.
• Align chair’s office and divisional resources to provide consistent branding and voice to internal messaging, website, social media, departmental event announcements, signage, and publications.
• Oversee the communications team’s creation of original written content that highlights important news, events, and recognition across the department, interview division faculty and staff to find and relate newsworthy or prestigious events and awards.
• Support chair’s office with immediate communications needs, including internal messaging, presentation creation, and other requests as needed.
• Support chair’s office with the creation of regular internal communications campaign highlighting successes of department members, sharing important news, and providing resources.
• Oversee the management of the department website; partner with leadership and stakeholders across the department to keep website content current and up to date.
• Partner with department’s SEEDS Program (Sustaining Equity, Elevating Diversity in Surgery) to communicate news, events, and information related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the department.
• Under leadership of the Vice Chair of Education, develop and implement a recruitment communications strategy that appeals to prospective Duke Surgery trainees; work with third-party vendors in the creation of recruitment video content and other materials.
• Partner with external vendors as needed for communications projects, including content producers, photographers, and website support.
• Oversee department’s external social media communications strategy; stay informed on latest trends and best practices on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and others.
• Synthesize data from multiple sources to inform communications decision making, including Google Analytics, third-party email distribution software, website user testing, and qualitative survey data.
• Contribute to the department’s strategic plan, reporting, and overall communication approach.
• Attend department level meetings and synthesize global communications.
• Maintain relationships with communications professionals across Duke through representation of the department at communications network and School of Medicine communicator’s meetings.
• Collaborate with department stakeholders and oversee communications team’s development of an annual report that synthesizes fiscal year data and creative storytelling to engage with external audiences.
• Carry out all communication plans within the annual budget allocation.
• Oversee the departmental library of materials and resources, to include : external communications contacts and services; logos; medical illustrations and artwork; historical projects and documents.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the editorial staff of the American Journal of Transplantation , a subset of the communications team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Preferred Qualifications

A Master’s Degree in Communications, Publications, Marketing, Graphic Design or Business Administration or related field may be substituted for experience on a 1 : 1 basis.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Completion of a bachelor's degree program in Journalism, Communications, English or a related discipline.

Experience

Requires at least 7 years experience in writing,public relations, communications or related discipline.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Completion of a bachelor's degree program in Journalism, Communications, English or a related discipline.

Experience

Requires at least 7 years experience in writing,public relations, communications or related discipline.

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.