Director, Executive 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:

The Director, Executive Communications creates, researches, and writes for the Executive Vice President of Health Affairs, Duke University and Dean of Duke’s School of Medicine. This includes but is not limited to internal and external communications, speeches, remarks, video scripts, memorandums, community announcements, and social media content. In the EVP/Dean’s expanded role as Co-Lead of Duke Health, this position would also be called on to interact with counterparts in the office of the President, the Provost, and the CEO of DUHS. Support the School of Medicine (SoM) by making sure the overarching messaging incorporates its vision, values, and priorities, including the Duke Health Integrated Practice; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; One Duke; and key fundraising narratives. Direct report to the SoM’s Vice Dean of Communications and Advancement and Chief Communications Officer.

Work Performed:

Work closely with the EVP/Dean and Vice Dean on researching, creating, structuring, and implementing messaging strategy and platforms.

Collaborate with Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) colleagues to maximize the dissemination of materials across the broadest spectrum of platforms for engaging, educating, and motivating audiences.

Incorporate a broad variety of multimedia tools and tactics (photography, video, and audio) to elevate audience engagement, in close collaboration with the Assistant Director of Multimedia.

Implement tactics to repurpose content for further distribution among the SOM’s varied platforms including websites and social media, in close collaboration with the Assistant Dean for Digital and Brand Communications.

Provide for robust messaging pull-through (e.g., One Duke) on all audience engagements, communications, and interactions.

Coordinate, inform, and help oversee strategy for selecting and managing content for the Dean’s event, ceremony, and public speaking schedule. 

Collaborate and align communications and messaging strategy with counterparts in the offices of the President, the Provost, and the DUHS CEO.

Identify and prepare the EVP/Dean and other SoM leaders for traditional and mainstream media opportunities that will promote and advance the institution within its four missions: research, education, clinical care, and community partnerships.

Draft, revise, and finalize speeches and remarks for the EVP/Dean, in close collaboration with the EVP/Dean and Vice Dean.

Conduct research supporting the EVP/Dean’s communications, ensuring content is accurate, complete, and appropriate.

Engage, meet, and interview Duke Health Leadership including Vice Deans, Chairs and Division Chiefs on behalf of the EVP/Dean seeking content for presentations, speeches, and audience encounters.

Work closely with DUHS Leadership Communications counterpart to implement, adhere to, and revise the Duke Health Co-Leadership Communications Plan which coordinates joint communications to the Duke Health community.

Create presentations and slides to accompany speeches and remarks.

Provide stories, images and content about the EVP/Dean and the SOM to Duke Magazine, Duke Daily, Duke Today and all the other communications products of the University.

Manage social media accounts for the EVP/Dean.

Lead the planning and drafting of the Dean's annual State of the School presentation, in close collaboration with the Dean and Vice Dean.

Provide, maintain, and update a steady content stream for the Dean’s Leadership website, including videos, podcasts, blog entries, and media links.

Create a consistent voice, style, and identity based on the Dean’s preferences, fostering audience understanding and enhancing engagement and reaction.

Research, identify, and tailor messaging to various internal audiences including but no