Communication Strategist - Kenan Institute for Ethics & Duke Engage

Develops and implements comprehensive communications strategies and other branding efforts to raise the Institute’s profile as a national authoritative voice on contemporary ethical issues and to maintain the national visibility of the Institute’s work, including DukeEngage and other emerging prominent programs, research efforts and collaborations of the Institute. Establishes standards and provides oversight of editorial content for websites, publications, marketing efforts, and other internal and external communications to ensure consistency with KIE’s brand. Cultivates and manages media relationships. Writes and/or edits internal publications and major correspondence. Assists faculty and staff with developing communications plans and advancement materials as needed. This position supervises a public relations specialist and several students. This position reports to the Director of the Kenan Institute for Ethics and collaborates closely with Director of Development. While many tasks for the respective units will in fact overlap and time allocation will vary daily, we anticipate that thirty percent of this role will be dedicated to work in service of DukeEnage and seventy percent in service of the Kenan Institute for Ethics.

This is a funded position.  The position is renewable annually based on availability of external funding. Such funding has consistently been renewed since the inception of the Institute.

Work Performed

Strategic and Creative Communication Development: (20% of effort)

Lead the strategic decision-making process to define communications and marketing strategies and develop into an annual communications plan with objectives, strategies, target audiences, tactics, and key messages for initiatives and projects of Institute; work closely with senior leadership to identify needs and ensure objectives are met to maintain both the Institute’s profile generally and DukeEngage’s specifically as the program transitions to the Institute’s portfolio.

Lead development of strategy to increase national profile of the Institute (and DukeEngage) and its work on purpose, well-being and civic engagement. Work closely with the Kenan Fund and other Kenan Institutes (at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State and the School of the Arts) to develop a communications plan across schools to increase the national profile of work at all 4 Institutes.  

Direct complex communications projects and strategic initiatives to include major stewardship reports and presentations for both the KIE and DukeEngage Advisory Boards, the Kenan Family Fund, and other internal constituencies, including the Provost, the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Advise leadership, faculty, and staff on the effective use of communications, marketing opportunities and branding strategies; Advise on matters of crisis communications in close partnership with crisis management efforts and draft communications in this area; develop communications tools and solutions working collaboratively with Institute faculty and staff across all areas and programs.

Develop ongoing strategies to maintain and enhance KIE’s and DukeEngage’s brand among key stakeholder groups, including prospective Duke applicants.

Prepare reports and analyses setting forth progress, trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions that support communications and marketing initiatives.

Execution of Marketing and Communications Plan: (20% of effort)

Lead the execution of communications plan by implementing strategic goals across the communications portfolio, identifying emerging opportunities, developing work plans, and gathering and synthesizing relevant data.

Create and maintain a unified voice and aesthetic through all print, online, social media and other outlets in collaboration with program leadership and unit colleagues.

Direct and manage the KIE publications program to include creation and revision of newsletters, brochures, booklets, posters, flyers, announcements and other publications, ensuring they meet program objectives; determine content, workflow, opportunities for collaborations, deadlines and approvals.

Identify and source outside vendors and manage key vendor relationships; Supervise work of outside vendors, technical consultants, graphic designers, photographers, and freelancers as needed to produce publications, print and marketing materials, video, photos, etc., including budgeting, bidding, and design company selection and direction; ensure outsourced publications are printed on schedule and according to budgetary and other requirements.

Design and Manage Communications Projects and Services: (35% of effort)

Oversee preparation of audio-visual materials, handouts or other multi-media used in local, regional or national presentations or promotions. Handle or oversee the planning, development, and promotion of KIE publications and major events, including the Kenan Lecture, panel discussions, symposia, other lectures, and special events.

Oversee the Kenan Institute for Ethics website, including content and homepage announcements, and act as liaison for content residing on these sites; identify opportunities to develop the unit’s web presence in alignment with the organization’s brand and strategic goals; Generate content for online communication strategies, including website, social media, e-mail news, and other online vehicles, ensuring consistency of style, freshness and usability of content in support of strategic and operational goals; Collaborate with Web Administrators for Schools, Institutes or other units in the creation, dissemination and posting multimedia for shared projects.
 

Conduct interviews, research, and write news releases, feature stories, media advisories and news tips for distribution to the media to publicize and promote the Kenan Institute for Ethics, its programs, activities, faculty, students and staff;

Facilitate all KIE media relations, including serving as point person for local and national media inquiries, reviewing all press materials, coordinating strategies with the Office of News & Communications, and serving as a liaison to other key communications contacts with the University to promote the work of KIE.

Direct collection and distribution of media content (including photographs, audio and video recordings) for special events and activities; Coordinate with the Duke news and communications office, multi- disciplinary areas and other on-campus communications entities, the dissemination of news stories/communications efforts to the Duke University campus, regional, national and international media.

Advise or lead placement of advertising for print and radio for the Institute’s signature programs.

Oversee presentation and display of KIE- sponsored physical space, including screens, display boards, and university-wide posted communications.

Supervise staff producing communications materials for KIE and/or DukeEngage, conducting or providing feedback for annual evaluations.

Determine fiscal requirements in relation to communications, outreach, and marketing for KIE; prepare budgetary recommendations; monitor, verify, and reconcile expenditure of budgeted funds.

Develop and Sustain Stakeholder Relationships: (20% of effort)

Build relationships with staff across the university, including University Admissions and Development, and represent the organization in major presentations to key stakeholder groups and in campus wide initiatives in lieu of and/or in collaboration with the Director of the Kenan Institute for Ethics.

Identify student participants to represent the organization in public panel discussions or other speaking opportunities or as the source of online or print features supporting communications and marketing goals.

Develop and implement a strategy and plan for KIE, including DukeEngage, to involve its growing alumni network, including events and a newsletter.

Develop and facilitate KIE’s relationship and affiliations with Duke Public Affairs, Office of News & Communications, Office of the VPIS, news media, and other key communications contacts within the University to promote the work of the Institute

Other Responsibilities: (5% of effort)

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described.

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.