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EXEC DIR, COMMUNICATIONS, PRATT SCH
Job Title: EXEC DIR, COMMUNICATIONS, PRATT SCH
Job Code: 2816
FLSA: E
Job Level: 16
Revised Date: 02/01/2022
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
The Executive Director of Communications and Marketing develops and implements communications and marketing strategies to advance the Pratt School of Engineering's education, research and service missions, national and global reputation, and aspirations in areas including student recruitment; diversity, equity, inclusion and community; development and alumni affairs; and industry, government and community relations.
The Executive Director leads a team responsible for communications and marketing across the school, four departments and associated institutes and centers. Areas of responsibility include multimedia content development, research communications, websites and social media, digital and print publications, media relations, internal communications, crisis communications, event promotion, advertising and brand management.
Work Performed
Manage comprehensive, integrated and data-driven marketing communications to advance Duke Engineering, including its departments and academic programs. Recommend and implement targeted marketing and communications strategies to support school objectives and initiatives.
Build strong working relationships with the school's deans, department chairs, and faculty, staff and student leaders to inform strategic communications plans and to publicize their activities and accomplishments to key audiences, including the internal community, peer engineering deans and chairs, alumni and donors, parents and the news media.
Support the dean in communicating effectively with the Duke Engineering community and other key audiences, providing strategic counsel as well as assistance with messages, speeches and remarks, media interviews and op-eds.
Direct the school's extensive web presence, working closely with team members to create and manage user-friendly sites that effectively achieve marketing and communications objectives while meeting security and accessibility guidelines.
Ensure effectiveness of the school's social media presence, including both central and department-based channels.
Manage the school's publications program, including digital newsletters, a podcast, print magazines (including the student-written DukEngineer Magazine), and recruitment, marketing and fundraising materials. Ensure work meets high quality standards and deadlines.
Maintain clear, consistent branding guidelines, standards, and tools for presenting Duke Engineering online and offline, in line with Duke University brand standards.
In consultation with University Communications, promote Duke Engineering faculty, staff and student research and achievements through external media releases and news tips, as well as through coverage in University platforms such as Duke Today.
Develop and maintain professional contacts and affiliations, particularly at the national level, to facilitate and promote the dissemination of news and publicity about the Pratt School through both the media and engineering-related organizations.
Coordinate the school's communications activities effectively with the university's communications leadership and programs. Interact closely with communications colleagues across the campus and participate in the Communications Executive Council convened by the Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations.
In consultation with the Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations, anticipate and assist in managing issues of concern or crises related to the school.
Effectively manage the Pratt Communications budget; recommend cost- effective approaches and strategic investments to meet objectives. Manage, advise and develop communications staff; identify, hire and manage external agencies and vendors and work-study students to assist with communications projects.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Required Qualifications at this Level
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. Master's degree preferred.
Experience
Eight years of relevant professional communications experience, including experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans and managing teams. Experience in higher education and/or research communications is a plus.
Skills
N/A
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.
