Director of Communications Marketing - Nursing and Patient Care Services

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

 

General Description of the Job Class

Serve as the senior communications strategist for Duke University Health System’s (DUHS) Division of Nursing and Patient Care Services (NPCS). This position plays a critical role in shaping and sharing the voice, values, and vision of Duke Nursing—amplifying its workforce, programs, priorities, and leadership across all channels. This individual partners closely with the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE), executive leadership, and divisional teams to elevate the reputation of nursing and ensure consistent, strategic communication both internally and externally.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Strategic Communications & Brand Amplification

• Design and lead integrated communications strategies that position Duke Nursing and Patient Care Services as a national leader in clinical excellence, workforce development, health equity, and compassionate care.
  
  
• Develop messaging frameworks and campaign strategies to support key initiatives, such as nursing recognition, education, innovation, safety, and workforce engagement.
  
  
• Act as a thought partner to senior leaders across the division, helping to identify stories and shape how the work of NPCS is communicated both within Duke Health and to external audiences.
  
  
• Collaborate closely with DUHS Marketing & Communications and other system-level partners to ensure message alignment and shared storytelling opportunities.

Executive Communications & Thought Leadership

• Provide strategic counsel and writing support to the CNE and other senior leaders, including speeches, remarks, talking points, op-eds, and key presentations.
  
  
• Identify and pursue visibility opportunities (speaking engagements, media interviews, award nominations) that reinforce leadership’s role in advancing the mission of Duke Nursing.
  
  
• Manage an executive visibility calendar and develop materials that reflect the authentic voice, values, and impact of the division’s leadership.

Surround Sound Strategy & Channel Integration

• Implement a surround-sound communications model—ensuring all storytelling efforts are echoed across multiple trusted channels including internal communications, newsletters, intranet, social media, live events, media coverage, and academic forums.
  
  
• Work across the enterprise to align and amplify key messages, milestones, and nursing-led innovations through coordinated campaigns.
  
  
• Use strategic timing, platforms, and content types to ensure broad reach and high engagement among internal and external audiences.

Content Development & Campaign Execution

• Lead the development and production of all major content deliverables, including digital copy, publications, newsletters, presentations, leader toolkits, social media posts, and video scripts.
  
  
• Manage branding, design standards, and HIPAA compliance across all Nursing and PCS materials.
  
  
• Maintain a consistent tone and visual identity that reflects Duke’s brand while showcasing the unique voice of the nursing division.

Internal Communications & Change Management

• Create and manage internal communication campaigns to support cultural transformation, team engagement, and organizational alignment.
  
  
• Support change management and system initiatives with clear, timely, and empathetic communication strategies tailored to a broad nursing audience.
  
  
• Develop internal messaging tools, FAQs, and executive communications to guide staff through periods of change or improvement.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with communications colleagues, academic partners, project leaders, and clinicians across the system.
  
  
• Serve as a liaison to media, external vendors, and professional associations to facilitate storytelling, event support, or awareness campaigns.
  
  
• Stay informed of health care and nursing trends to proactively identify opportunities for Duke Nursing to lead in the national conversation.

Leadership & Operations

• Track KPIs and evaluate communication effectiveness, using data to guide improvements.
  
  
• Maintain organized digital archives, branded templates, and evergreen materials for use across the division.
  
  
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

 

Required Qua