Integrated Marketing Communications Specialist

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.

Be You.

Duke University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science (MEMS) is looking for an Integrated Marketing Communications Specialist to join our team. This role is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a vibrant educational and research program dedicated to developing solutions to major challenges facing our world. You will be creating compelling narratives, profiles, announcements, and more for both internal and external channels, improving the visibility of Duke Engineering and MEMS for prospective students, alumni, and the public.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, media, marketing, English, or a related field.
• Two years of directly related experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field with experience creating and publishing via web content management systems.
• Communication, analytical, and organizational skills needed to manage and coordinate various communications tasks and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in marketing or communications in education, engineering, or similar in an academic environment.
• Strong writing and editing skills for digital and print.
• Experience with content management systems (Drupal or WordPress preferred) and social media tools (such as Hey Orca and Canva).
• Ability to produce and edit high-quality multimedia content.
• Experience creating and maintaining website and social media content.
• Experience using and developing actionable insights from tools such as Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity.
• Ability to work collaboratively, manage time and multiple projects, and adhere to deadlines.
• Strategic thinking and willingness to learn new skills and methods.

Note:

If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process for this position, you will be asked to submit the following: a cover letter, three writing samples and a portfolio of multimedia work (video, photography, infographics, etc.) with the application.

Be Bold.

Essential Job Duties:

• Reporting and communications strategy: Work with the Executive Director of Communications & Marketing and MEMS leadership to identify objectives, strategies, key messages, and tactics. Develop and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders in Pratt and Duke to ensure alignment and informed communication strategies across the college and campus. (10%)

• Content creation and multimedia production: Consult frequently with stakeholders to identify opportunities to create high-quality written and multimedia content focused on the unique features of the MEMS undergraduate, master’s, and PhD student experience. Produce feature articles, student, alumni, and faculty profiles, social media posts and campaigns, and multimedia content. Collaborate with team experts to coordinate the production of photos, audio, and video. (25%)

• Website content curation and management: Regularly survey and maintain the accuracy and quality of marketing content on the website(s) supporting MEMS. Perform regular site content updates and reviews to ensure all information is current, effectively meets program goals, and serves the needs of site audiences. Work with the Pratt communications and marketing team and MEMS leadership to review analytics data to strategize on improving site reach and effectiveness. (15%)

• Social media strategy and execution: Work with the Executive Director of Communications & Marketing and MEMS leadership to refine and execute the social media strategy for MEMS social channels. Learn and implement Duke and Pratt editorial guidelines, brand standards, and quality expectations in developing compelling social media posts to maximize the impact of created content and drive engagement. (20%)

• Publication production and management: Manage production of publications, quarterly newsletters, and press releases for MEMS, including curating, editing and coordinating graphic design, photography, reviews and distribution. Examples of work generated could include long-form research features, alumni profiles, student success stories, social media posts, and marketing brochures and mailers focused on department and initiative achievements or graduate student recruitment. Ensure that content is effectively disseminated to key audiences, including prospective students, peer institutions, internal colleagues, alumni and donors and relevant media. (20%)

• Editorial calendar and collaboration: Work with the Executive Director of Communications & Marketing and MEMS leadership to develop an annual editorial calendar that aligns content deployment with broader strategic objectives, such as new student recruitment, fundraising initiatives, and brand awareness campaigns. Maintain close, collaborative working relationships with the communications and marketing team within the school to develop a cohesive editorial content calendar for the department and school. (10%)

Choose Duke.

Why MEMS at Duke? The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with more than 130 tenure-track faculty members, 370 staff members, 100 postdocs, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equitability, inclusivity, and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society.

Job Code: 00001268 PUBLIC RELATIONS SPEC, SENIOR
Job Level: 12

Duke is an Affirmative Action/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, sexual orientation, or veteran 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 jobsat 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.