Durham, North Carolina
Berkeley, California
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Posted: 25-Oct-25
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Internal Number: 260728
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
The Director of Marketing & Communications serves as the strategic communications lead for Duke University Health System's (DUHS) Division of Nursing and Patient Care Services (NPCS). This high-impact role supports the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) and senior nursing leadership in shaping and sharing Duke Nursing's story-elevating visibility, strengthening engagement, and aligning communications with system-wide priorities.
The Director will lead messaging, storytelling, and campaigns that connect Duke Nursing's impact to the broader mission of Duke Health. The ideal candidate combines exceptional writing and storytelling skills with the ability to operate strategically in a complex, fast-moving environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Communications & Brand Leadership
- Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that position Duke Nursing as a national leader in clinical excellence, workforce development, health equity, and innovation.
- Create narrative frameworks and content that connect divisional goals to broader Duke Health strategy.
- Translate vision and priorities into actionable campaigns that resonate with staff, leaders, and external audiences.
- Bring both corporate and agency experience to drive creative, high-impact storytelling that supports business and reputation goals.
Executive Communications & Visibility
- Serve as a strategic partner to the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) and senior NPCS leaders, helping articulate vision and voice across platforms.
- Draft executive speeches, presentations, talking points, and leadership messages.
- Manage visibility opportunities including media outreach, conferences, and recognition programs that elevate Duke Nursing leadership nationally.
Integrated, Multi-Channel Strategy
- Ensure key messages are consistently shared across internal and external channels-email, intranet, digital platforms, social media, town halls, and events.
- Collaborate with DUHS and Duke University communications teams to align with enterprise campaigns and capitalize on national moments.
- Oversee timing and sequencing of communications for maximum impact.
Content & Campaign Development
- Lead development of content for internal and external audiences, including newsletters, publications, digital messaging, video scripts, and social content.
- Maintain a consistent, inclusive brand voice aligned with Duke standards.
- Apply best practices in health literacy, plain language, and inclusive communication.
Internal Engagement & Workforce Communications
- Partner with HR and leadership to drive employee engagement and culture initiatives.
- Support messaging for change communications, operational updates, and strategic initiatives related to workforce well-being and excellence.
Partnerships & Collaboration
- Partner across DUHS Marketing & Communications, Nursing, HR, and the School of Nursing to ensure alignment and coordination.
- Manage relationships with agencies, vendors, and media to support campaigns and content development.
- Collaborate closely with creative and digital teams to ensure execution aligns with Duke Health brand standards.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, business, or healthcare administration required.
Master's degree preferred.
Experience:
- 8+ years of progressive experience in strategic communications, brand leadership, or executive visibility.
- Demonstrated success in both internal and external communications strategy.
- Experience in healthcare, academic medicine, or large matrixed organizations preferred.
- Corporate or agency background strongly preferred.
- Proven record of advising senior leaders, crafting high-impact messaging, and leading cross-functional campaigns.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strategic thinker with the ability to connect communications to organizational goals.
- Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills.
- Strong understanding of reputation management and executive visibility.
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
- Collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven with strong emotional intelligence.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a hands-on, high-impact communications role for a versatile strategist who understands how to translate complex priorities into engaging stories that build alignment and pride. The ideal candidate brings executive-level polish, agency-caliber creativity, and a deep respect for Duke Health's mission to improve lives through excellence in care, education, and discovery.
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 onthe 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.