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Duke University Job Description: |
Job Title: ASSIST VP, STRATEGIC COMMS & EDITORIAL |
Job Code: 3765 |
FLSA: E |
Job Level: 20 |
Revised Date: 01/12/2024 |
Job Family: JF 28 |
The Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications and Editorial Content Strategy serves as a member of the Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs senior leadership team and oversees the media relations, research and global communications, and editorial departments and serve as our chief storyteller on campus.
The Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications and Editorial Content Strategy holds a pivotal role in ensuring effective and strategic communication for our university. This role encompasses a range of responsibilities aimed at communicating accurate and inspiring messages to both internal and external audiences. Through the identification, analysis, and management of complex issues, strategies for communication will be developed and executed across various channels, including leading on editorial storytelling channels and engagement with external media. The AVP will lead a team of 10-15 talented writers as well as advise over 400+ communicators across Duke's Campuses.
As a senior leader reporting to the Vice President for Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs, this role involves providing counsel on media relations and leading the creation of the university wide editorial content strategy. The individual will assess potential reputational risks and public relations implications, particularly in the context of university actions, policies, or events under consideration and direct the creation of content the elevates the university narrative. Additionally, crisis communications activities will be managed, involving coordination with the Vice President and collaboration with subject matter experts across the university to anticipate and address issues that could impact the university's reputation.
The Assistant Vice President will lead a dedicated team that oversees media relations, research communications, editorial services, and university-wide editorial content strategy. This includes developing a comprehensive editorial content plan aligned with university priorities and leveraging earned media coverage. Building and maintaining relationships with media organizations, journalists, and influencers at various levels, from local to international, is a key component. Monitoring and reporting on university coverage will also be integral, along with creating data-driven communication campaign plans in collaboration with other teams within the office of Communications and Marketing (MarComms).
In terms of advising and training, the role involves providing guidance to faculty, administrators, and school/unit communication officers on effective media engagement and messaging. Media training and coaching will be provided to ensure that individuals and groups represent the university consistently and effectively.
Furthermore, the Assistant Vice President will play a crucial role in global communication storytelling and strategic planning, collaborating with Duke Kunshan University communicators.
The individual will work closely with University Communications and marketing colleagues, the Duke in DC team, and other stakeholders to identify and create compelling stories of national importance. They will also develop content strategy plans that cover all media channels in support of our public affairs goals.
In keeping with a commitment to innovation and contemporary practices, the Assistant Vice President will adopt a forward-thinking, data-driven approach. Benchmarking best practices in higher education and other industries will be routine to ensure the university's communication strategy remains dynamic, aligning with the demands of the current business landscape and promoting lasting success and brand growth.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described therein. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.
| Education/Training: | Work requires communication, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program in Journalism, Communications, English or a related discipline. A Master's degree preferred. |
| Experience: | This job position requires a minimum of 8 years of experience in communications or a related field, with at least 3 years of experience in the higher education sector. The ideal candidate should be an expert in writing, navigating complex organizations, strategic communications, high-profile content strategy plans, launching and creating new storytelling channels, have a strong writing background, varied experiences, and be able to effictively manage issues. |
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The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University 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.
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job 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.