Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications

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.

The Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications leads the planning, coordination, and operational execution of communications projects for Student Affairs' external channels and key initiatives, while supporting division-wide internal communications in collaboration with campus partners. This role serves as the project management and workflow lead for Student Affairs Communications, ensuring projects move efficiently from intake to completion, timelines and expectations are clearly defined, and deliverables meet Duke's high standards for quality, accessibility, and brand alignment.

The Assistant Director supervises staff and student employees, manages communications systems and calendars, and partners closely with colleagues across the division and University to bring the student experience to life through coordinated, strategic storytelling.

• Lead the intake, prioritization, scoping, and execution of communications projects across Student Affairs alongside the Director of Communications.
• Own and manage the team's project management system, establishing best practices for tracking work from request through completion.
• Develop and manage project timelines, dependencies, and deliverables, proactively identifying risks and adjusting plans as needed.
• Balance staff and student capacity to ensure timely delivery while maintaining creative quality and production standards.
• Serve as a primary point of coordination for complex, cross‑divisional communications initiatives alongside the Director of Communications.

• Partner with colleagues across Student Affairs and the University to translate communications needs into clear, actionable project plans.
• Establish and maintain editorial and communications calendars to support proactive planning for news, campaigns, and events.
• Advise campus partners on communications strategy, channels, timing, and tools to support effective outreach.
• Support coordination during time‑sensitive or high‑impact moments such as major events, emergencies, or divisional announcements.

• Supervise communications staff and student employees, including workflow planning, coaching, and performance support.
• Review and provide feedback on communications deliverables to ensure clarity, consistency, accessibility, and alignment with Student Affairs and University brand standards.
• Ensure consistent processes and standards across communications outputs.

• Oversee the execution of email communications, including newsletters, ensuring clarity, tone, and alignment with divisional voice and branding.
• Review and refine content produced by others to ensure quality and consistency.
• Support in developing visually appealing graphics and content that align with the Student Affairs brand for a variety of topics, including student stories, event campaigns, digestible announcements, and campus life content.

• Direct and maintain flagship Student Affairs communications channels, including students.duke.edu, social media platforms, and email communications.
• Ensure regular, coordinated updates across digital platforms including social media, website, and digital flyer system.
• Monitor analytics and performance data across channels to inform communication strategies and recommend…