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SR DIR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAG
Job Title: SR DIR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAG
Job Code: 2597
FLSA: E
Job Level: 98
Revised Date: 05/26/2023
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
The Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement serves as the lead communications and engagement strategist in the Office of the President and as a thought partner to the President, the Vice President for Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs, and the Chief of Staff/Secretary to Board of Trustees. The Senior Director is responsible for the president's public-facing writing and communications including remarks, correspondence, crisis and event response, and web and editorial content and ensures uniformity of messaging and alignment with the president's strategic framework and priorities.
At the direction of the President and/or Chief of Staff, the Senior Director serves as a communications leader for central, enterprise-wide priorities, and collaborates with the senior staff at University Communications and other units and schools to help develop and drive the university's overall communications strategy.
In addition, the Senior Director sets the agenda for meetings of the President's communications team, develops an annual presidential communications and constituent engagement plan, and coordinates opportunities for presidential engagement with various constituent groups including students, faculty, staff and alumni. In support of the Secretary, the Senior Director assists with the development of strategic communications of the Board of Trustees designed to support the president's strategic priorities.
The Senior Director reports to the Chief of Staff/Secretary to the Board of Trustees with a dotted line to the Vice President for Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs /Chief Communications Officer.
Work Performed
In partnership with the Vice President for Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs/Chief Communications Officer, advise the President on communications and external relations strategy. Develop and execute a proactive media plan to increase the visibility and reputation of the President and university.
Serve as a member of the University Issues Management/Awareness working group, keeping the President and Chief of Staff/Secretary informed of matters with potential to rise to level of presidential engagement.
Using the presidential statements guidelines, when warranted, develop the President's message and communicate it to internal stakeholders and other communicators on his/her behalf, seeking feedback and alignment with schools and units.
Oversee all written and multi-media communications projects for the President. Responsible for drafts and final editing of major initiatives, to include:
Major speeches and presentations; University-wide messages, including on sensitive topics; Communications and engagements related to strategic initiatives, including the President's strategic framework; Posts to the President's social media account; Quotes for articles; Videos; Presidential correspondence; Articles and op-eds for internal and external outlets; In addition: Develop and execute external and internal communications for board activities, as needed; Prepare written and public-facing communications for the Secretary and Board of Trustees, as needed, including: Talking points and presentations for the Board Chair and Secretary, Official correspondence of the Secretary; Statements, articles, quotes and other communications as directed by the President and Secretary.
Prepare annual presidential constituent engagement plan and oversee planning of engagements with various constituent groups, ensuring that the president is fully briefed in advance.
Oversee Presidential correspondence dashboard, ensuring that drafts are prepared in a timely manner.
Oversee Airtable project management system, ensuring that correspondence and communication and engagement projects, and associated assets, are recorded, tracked and archived.
Supervise the work of direct reports.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Journalism, Communications, English or a related discipline.
Experience
Work requires ten years related experience in corporate/executive communications, including experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans.
OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Skills
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.
Essential Physical Job Functions
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.
