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Duke Health is seeking a Director of Public Affairs Communications to lead strategies that strengthen understanding of Duke Health's impact across the communities it serves and advance key institutional priorities. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for External Relations, the Director will develop and lead integrated communications strategies focused on community health and impact, access to care, growth and other issues that shape Duke Health’s reputation across North Carolina.
The Director will work across communications, marketing, community health, government relations and other teams to translate complex priorities into clear, credible communications for community members, policymakers, employees, media and other key stakeholders. The Director will have the opportunity to shape and advance Duke Health’s approach to public affairs communications, bringing a proactive, audience-first perspective to sustained narratives across earned, owned, social and partner channels.
Key Responsibilities Public Affairs Strategy and Reputation Develop and lead an integrated public affairs communications strategy aligned with Duke Health’s institutional priorities and reputation goals. Serve as a senior communications partner to leaders across community health, government relations, clinical operations and other areas with significant community or public impact. Anticipate emerging public affairs and community issues and identify opportunities for proactive engagement.
Develop sustained narratives around Duke Health’s community impact, access, growth and other institutional priorities, connecting individual initiatives to a broader story about Duke Health’s mission and impact. Integrated Storytelling and Engagement Identify high-impact stories and develop integrated communications plans that reach key audiences through earned, owned, social, digital and partner channels. Partner with media relations, social media, marketing, employee communications and creative teams to bring public affairs narratives to life across multiple formats.
Identify patients, employees, clinicians and community partners whose experiences can help demonstrate Duke Health’s impact and strengthen understanding and trust. Develop communications approaches that support Duke Health’s growth and presence across North Carolina while reflecting the priorities and perspectives of the communities it serves. Cross-Functional Leadership Build strong partnerships across Duke Health, the School of Medicine and Duke University to identify opportunities earlier and align communications around shared institutional priorities.
Partner closely with Government Relations and Community Health on shared institutional, statewide and community priorities while maintaining clear functional responsibilities. Work closely with Marketing to ensure brand, growth and public affairs communications reinforce one another. Establish goals and measures for public affairs communications and use audience insights, performance data and stakeholder feedback to refine strategy.
Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, public relations, marketing or a related field. Advanced degree preferred. 8–10+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, including significant experience developing and leading integrated communications strategies. Experience in public affairs, healthcare, higher education, government, nonprofit, corporate reputation or another complex, highly visible organization strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex institutional priorities into clear, credible communications for multiple audiences. Strong understanding of earned, owned, social and digital communications and how they work together to shape reputation. Experience advising senior leaders and navigating effectively across complex organizations and functional boundaries.
Exceptional judgment, writing, relationship-building and strategic planning skills. Ability to anticipate opportunities, establish priorities and move comfortably between strategy and execution in a fast-moving environment.
Education 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. Experience Work requires six years experience in writing, public relations, communications or a related discipline to include a minimum of two years experience in the health care field. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Degrees, Licensures, Certifications N/A Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military 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.