Job Title: SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE-COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST

Job Family: JF 27

Occupational Summary

The Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University is an interdisciplinary research and education center that focuses on the causes, consequences and policy remedies of inequality across a variety of domains.  The Cook Center is seeking a communications strategist to support its efforts.

This position is responsible for developing and implementing communication and marketing strategies to support major initiatives and projects for the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity. This position will also assist translating research products into policy briefs and materials that can be disseminated to general audiences.  Oversee the continued development and distribution of Center’s podcasts.  Establishes standards and provides oversight of editorial content for websites, publications, social media and other internal and external communication and marketing channels. Assist in the development and implementation of Cook Center research conferences and other special events. This position reports to the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Collaborations

Work Performed

Develop communication and marketing plans to identify objectives, strategies, target audiences, tactics and key messages for initiatives and projects. Consults with stakeholders to identify needs and ensure objectives are met.

Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with Cook Center faculty, staff and affiliates and provide guidance related to content for websites, social media, brochures and other publications to ensure consistency of style, freshness of and usability of content in support of strategic and operational goals. Guidance, depending on project, may include consultation, editing, writing and development or oversight of development of multimedia content. Establish editorial guidelines and provide oversight for creation of content for various communication channels.

Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with Cook Center stakeholders and key communication offices and staff for Duke University and Duke University Health System. Coordinate with the Office of News & Communications on media inquiries and news releases.

Partner with Duke University Office of News and Communication and Global Communication Office on collaborative efforts and news locally, nationally and internationally.

Work with Cook Center faculty, staff and affiliates to identify opportunities to develop op eds, policy briefs, and assist in drafting these materials when necessary. 

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

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.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training: Work requires communications, marketing, strategic planning, analytical

and organizational skills generally required through completion of Master’s degree in marketing, business, journalism, public relations, communications, public policy or a related field.

Experience:

Requires at least 8-10 years of experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, business, public policy or related field with experience posting and publishing through print and electronic mediums, including content management systems.

Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills necessary to manage and coordinate a variety of tasks. Experience working in an academic environment is preferred.

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.