DIR, COMMUNICATIONS - Department of Medicine
Duke University

Job Info

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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 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations. The Department of Medicine (DOM) is a national leader in research, education and clinical care. With over 1500 faculty members and staff, DOM ranks No. 6 for NIH funding nationally among clinical departments. In fiscal year 2020, our faculty received more than $162 million in research funding and accounted for 37 percent of NIH funding to the Duke University School of Medicine. To ensure our continued success, DOM aspires to create a data-driven community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. We are, currently, seeking a Director of Communications to work collaboratively with senior management in the development of strategic and integrated communications plans that ensures a robust and timely exchange of ideas and information. Job summary:

Develop, implement, and oversee the execution of strategic communications plans for the Department of Medicine. This role will report directly to the Department of Medicine (DOM) Vice Chair of Administration and Finance and Chief Administrative Officer, as well as the School of Medicine (SOM) Associate Dean and Chief Communications Officer. This role will also work in direct partnership with the DOM Chair and the department's senior management team.

NOTE: This is hybrid remote position. The number of onsite days per month is negotiable. Primary Responsibilities:

Develop and direct strategic communications plans that support the department's mission and key priorities, including but not limited to: patient care, training programs, research and scholarly activity, philanthropy, and department and program reputation, to appropriate audiences. Manage DOM communications staff, including a Communications Strategist and a Communications Specialist. Create a collaborative environment across divisions with other division-specific communicators or communications liaisons.

Partner with the Chair and other internal constituencies for development and execution of a communications plan that builds visibility and enhances the reputation of the department.

Working with divisions, develop strategies and implement tactics to enhance internal communication channels, and bi-directional communication to all cross-functional stakeholder levels and audiences, including Duke Health and Duke University school department partnerships, faculty, trainees, and staff.

Contribute to the Department's strategic plan, reporting, and overall communications approach. Ensure Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging programs, initiatives and values are reflected in communications messaging and strategies.

Write and implement communications best practices, in alignment with School of Medicine and Duke Health brand guidelines. Educate faculty, staff, trainees on content management standards, messaging platforms/channels delivery, branding guidelines and communications best practices.

Hire and oversee outside consultants as necessary, which may include writers, graphic designers, videographers, and web vendors.

Establish and build implementation strategy, timelines and deliverables for internal communications activities (i.e., leadership messaging/presentations, digital content, webinars, events management (virtual/onsite), department publications , operational updates, HR policy announcements, background materials).

Serve as lead editor, writer and creative director for department communications deliverables across digital, print, marketing/promotional collateral and audio visual channels (i.e. publications, graphic design, photography, story development, videos, intranet, social media)

Work in partnership with Department of Medicine leadership to determine communications budgets aligned with the strategic communications implementation plan and deliverables; prepare budgetary recommendations; monitor, verify, and reconcile expenditure of budgeted funds.

Oversee the development and maintenance of the department website and intranet, including supervising website and other digital communications infrastructure, resourcing, content creation and governance. Collect and analyze data on website and intranet users and activity.

Manage, monitor, and create social media accounts content management and governance strategy aligning with DOM communications guidelines/deliverables.

Coordinate with and serve as department liaison to School of Medicine communications office, Duke Health News and Marketing Communications offices, University Communications office, Med School Alumni News/Development offices, and other communications resources across Duke University and Duke Health.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism or marketing. Master's degree in similar areas preferred.

Minimum QualificationsEducation

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

Experience

Requires at least 5 years experience in writing,public relations, communications or related discipline.

The Department of Medicine is the largest of 23 departments in the Duke University School of Medicine. The Chair's Office supports our world-class clinical, research, and academic missions through communications, finance, academic affairs, HR, and a variety of administrative roles. See https://medicine.duke.edu/about-department for more information.

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.

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