Duke University
Assistant Director of Communications, Franklin Humanities Institute
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27703
Duke University:
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Occupational Summary
The John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute (FHI) at Duke University promotes research, education and public engagement in the humanities. This position will play a vital role in explaining the value of the humanities in interpreting the human experience, making sense of our world and enriching our lives, and to making the FHI's work broadly accessible to public and campus audiences.
Reporting to the director of communications for interdisciplinary studies and faculty advancement, in consultation with the director and associate director of the FHI, this position has principal responsibility for planning and implementing strategic communications in support of the FHI that align with and amplify the university's strategic priorities. Working closely with the FHI's staff, the person holding this role will create and manage content about the institute's people, activities and programs, including faculty research as well as student- and community-facing programs. (Note that event publicity will be the responsibility of the FHI program coordinator.)
This role requires the ability to translate research into effective communications for wider campus and public audiences, articulating the value of the humanities in addressing some of the world's most pressing problems and increasing understanding of what the FHI does and why it matters.
This team member will help identify humanities scholarship research of interest to the campus community, media and the public, explain complex concepts in accessible and compelling terms, tell the stories and develop the best strategy for amplification. If you are interested in joining our team, please complete the application process via the Duke Careers website and include a cover letter with your resume.
Hybrid work arrangements are negotiable.
Work Performed
Content Creation and Management (60%)• Create and maintain a unified voice and aesthetic through all communications in collaboration with program leadership• Identify stories, conduct interviews and produce content that illustrates the value of the institute's work and of the humanities more broadly, through written stories, visuals, video, audio, social media posts, newsletters, websites, annual reports, presentations and other formats• Manage the editorial process and contribute content to major outward-facing institutional documents such as the annual report, program brochures, etc.• Curate and share content to connect with nonspecialist campus and public audiences through a variety of formats including newsletters, websites, social media and annual reports• Update and maintain the institute's website and social media channels to ensure accuracy, timeliness and relevancy; compile external newsletters, manage social media accounts effectively, gather and share photos and other multimedia assets throughout the year, and amplify key events appropriately• Maintain close contact with the institute's senior leadership to identify communications needs and ensure objectives are met; maintain relationships with relevant faculty, staff and students within the institute and across campus to identify stories and collaborate on communications projects
Strategic Communications and Coordination (30%)• Develop and implement an annual communications plan with objectives, strategies, target audiences, tactics and key messages for initiatives and projects of the FHI (including digital platforms and printed materials), in support of the institute and the university's strategic priorities• Lead periodic redesigns of the FHI website• Collaborate with colleagues to support promotion of FHI signature events, educational program marketing, faculty and student engagement, and internal communications• Contribute to relevant communications projects in collaboration with other campus communicators; participate in relevant campus groups, including Duke Communicators Network and Provost's Communicators Leadership Group• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the institute's communications activities, and use evaluations to inform and adapt future communications• Supervise student assistant(s) to support communications activities related to the institute
Media Relations (10%)• Collaborate with University Communications & Marketing and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences to promote media coverage of FHI and Duke humanities, including promoting FHI experts to external media and identifying opportunities to write op-ed and commentary pieces; occasionally assist faculty in authoring op-eds• Monitor external media coverage of FHI news and people and promote media stories through FHI's website and internal newsletter
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.
Skills:Ability to translate complex ideas in humanities scholarship into effective communications for nonspecialist audiences; excellent writing skills; familiarity with digital and social content management systems; digital design skills preferred; photography, videography or audio experience a plus
Education/Training:
Work requires communications, marketing, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree; further academic training in a humanities field and experience in communicating with the public a plus. M.A. degree preferred.
Experience:
At least 3 years of directly related experience in communications or related activity in a complex environment OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Duke 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 essentialjob 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.
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
Occupational Summary
The John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute (FHI) at Duke University promotes research, education and public engagement in the humanities. This position will play a vital role in explaining the value of the humanities in interpreting the human experience, making sense of our world and enriching our lives, and to making the FHI's work broadly accessible to public and campus audiences.
Reporting to the director of communications for interdisciplinary studies and faculty advancement, in consultation with the director and associate director of the FHI, this position has principal responsibility for planning and implementing strategic communications in support of the FHI that align with and amplify the university's strategic priorities. Working closely with the FHI's staff, the person holding this role will create and manage content about the institute's people, activities and programs, including faculty research as well as student- and community-facing programs. (Note that event publicity will be the responsibility of the FHI program coordinator.)
This role requires the ability to translate research into effective communications for wider campus and public audiences, articulating the value of the humanities in addressing some of the world's most pressing problems and increasing understanding of what the FHI does and why it matters.
This team member will help identify humanities scholarship research of interest to the campus community, media and the public, explain complex concepts in accessible and compelling terms, tell the stories and develop the best strategy for amplification. If you are interested in joining our team, please complete the application process via the Duke Careers website and include a cover letter with your resume.
Hybrid work arrangements are negotiable.
Work Performed
Content Creation and Management (60%)• Create and maintain a unified voice and aesthetic through all communications in collaboration with program leadership• Identify stories, conduct interviews and produce content that illustrates the value of the institute's work and of the humanities more broadly, through written stories, visuals, video, audio, social media posts, newsletters, websites, annual reports, presentations and other formats• Manage the editorial process and contribute content to major outward-facing institutional documents such as the annual report, program brochures, etc.• Curate and share content to connect with nonspecialist campus and public audiences through a variety of formats including newsletters, websites, social media and annual reports• Update and maintain the institute's website and social media channels to ensure accuracy, timeliness and relevancy; compile external newsletters, manage social media accounts effectively, gather and share photos and other multimedia assets throughout the year, and amplify key events appropriately• Maintain close contact with the institute's senior leadership to identify communications needs and ensure objectives are met; maintain relationships with relevant faculty, staff and students within the institute and across campus to identify stories and collaborate on communications projects
Strategic Communications and Coordination (30%)• Develop and implement an annual communications plan with objectives, strategies, target audiences, tactics and key messages for initiatives and projects of the FHI (including digital platforms and printed materials), in support of the institute and the university's strategic priorities• Lead periodic redesigns of the FHI website• Collaborate with colleagues to support promotion of FHI signature events, educational program marketing, faculty and student engagement, and internal communications• Contribute to relevant communications projects in collaboration with other campus communicators; participate in relevant campus groups, including Duke Communicators Network and Provost's Communicators Leadership Group• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the institute's communications activities, and use evaluations to inform and adapt future communications• Supervise student assistant(s) to support communications activities related to the institute
Media Relations (10%)• Collaborate with University Communications & Marketing and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences to promote media coverage of FHI and Duke humanities, including promoting FHI experts to external media and identifying opportunities to write op-ed and commentary pieces; occasionally assist faculty in authoring op-eds• Monitor external media coverage of FHI news and people and promote media stories through FHI's website and internal newsletter
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.
Skills:Ability to translate complex ideas in humanities scholarship into effective communications for nonspecialist audiences; excellent writing skills; familiarity with digital and social content management systems; digital design skills preferred; photography, videography or audio experience a plus
Education/Training:
Work requires communications, marketing, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree; further academic training in a humanities field and experience in communicating with the public a plus. M.A. degree preferred.
Experience:
At least 3 years of directly related experience in communications or related activity in a complex environment OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
Duke 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 essentialjob 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.