Director of Strategic Communication

Duke Careers

Director of Strategic Communication shaping and maintaining the Fuqua School's reputation across platforms. Leading a team in PR and media relations, community management, and strategic initiatives.

Posted 4/30/2026full-timeDurham • North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $78,161 - $156,319 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Drupal

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop overarching PR strategies aligned with school goals and brand positioning
Identify key narratives and storytelling opportunities to enhance the school’s reputation
Cultivate and maintain relationships with key journalists and media outlets
Approve major media releases and pitches
Oversee development and distribution of press materials
Identify opportunities to showcase faculty expertise and research
Develop and implement strategies to position the school as a thought leader in key areas
Oversee initiatives to amplify faculty, staff, alumni and student voices on external platforms
Provide strategic editorial oversight for Duke Fuqua Insights articles and podcasts
Prepare talking points and briefing materials for high-profile events and interviews
Ghostwrite speeches, opinion pieces, and social content for school leadership
Lead strategy across all owned channels to ensure each serves a distinct role in Fuqua’s strategic communications ecosystem
Develop overarching social media strategy, identifying key platforms and setting strategic objectives
Oversee the school’s blog program and social channels, ensuring authenticity and relevance
Seek opportunities to repurpose and amplify content across channels to maximize impact
Provide guidance on content themes and campaigns, and advise on the development of relevant influencer strategies and partnerships
Lead development and creation of school messaging
Develop communication plans to support organizational changes and initiatives
Advise leadership on effective communication strategies for stakeholders
Collaborate with the Associate Dean to align communication strategy with school objectives
Lead and mentor Strategic Communication team (PR Manager, Faculty Research Communications Manager, Community Manager)
Partner with the Director of Brand Marketing to align messaging and content development across earned and owned channels
Serve on Global Marketing Leadership Team
Leverage data to inform communications strategies and develop forward-thinking approaches
Develop and maintain crisis communications plans
Manage communications response during reputational issues or emergencies
Develop protocols for handling potential crises or negative situations on social media and oversee response to sensitive issues or complaints

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree
7+ years of experience in strategic communications, public relations or related field
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Demonstrated ability in developing and executing comprehensive PR and communication strategies
Strong media relations skills and established network of media contacts
Crisis communications experience
Exceptional editorial capabilities
Familiarity with SEO principles and their application in content strategy
Proficiency in social media strategy and management
Understanding and adherence to ethical guidelines in communication, especially in an academic setting
Preferred MBA or advanced degree in a relevant discipline
Experience in one or more of these areas: higher education, management consulting, startups, corporate communications, non-profit, agency, health care, financial services, technology, media
Understanding of international communication and global markets
Experience in executive communications and ghostwriting
Proficiency in Brandwatch, Muck Rack, Drupal, SEMrush, Sprout, Google Data Studio

Benefits

Comp & perks

comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs
generous retirement benefits
wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

strategic communicationspublic relationscrisis communicationsmedia relationsSEO principlessocial media strategyexecutive communicationsghostwritingeditorial capabilitiescommunication strategies

Soft Skills

excellent written communicationexcellent verbal communicationrelationship buildingleadershipmentoringcollaborationstrategic thinkingcreativityadaptabilityproblem-solving

Certifications

Bachelor's degreeMBA or advanced degree