Associate Director of Communications and Media Relations

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications, editorial, research communications, and media relations initiatives that support the Pratt School of Engineering's mission, priorities, and reputation.
• Translate School-wide priorities into actionable communications plans and manage projects from concept through execution, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted communications partner to department chairs, faculty leaders, research center directors, and administrative leaders across the School.
• Oversee the School's editorial operation, including news stories, research communications, web content, newsletters, executive communications, social media content, and multimedia storytelling.
• Write and edit high-profile communications materials, including feature stories, research narratives, speeches, talking points, press releases, leadership communications, and other strategic content.
• Develop and manage annual editorial calendars that align storytelling efforts with research achievements, academic programs, faculty expertise, student experiences, and major School initiatives.
• Translate complex scientific, engineering, and technical concepts into compelling and accessible content for prospective students, alumni, industry partners, policymakers, funding agencies, media, and the public.
• Lead research and science communications efforts by identifying emerging discoveries, grants, publications, and faculty achievements with strong storytelling and media potential.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and communicators across Duke to elevate the visibility and impact of engineering research and innovation.
• Serve as the School's primary media relations contact, developing proactive media strategies, building relationships with journalists, responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and preparing faculty and leaders for media engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field is generally required.
• Six years of experience in public relations, marketing, media relations, communications, journalism, advertising, or a related field. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
• Strong writing, editing, organizational, and project management skills.

Preferred

• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, editorial leadership, media relations, journalism, research communications, public relations, or integrated marketing.
• Master's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with experience producing feature stories, research narratives, executive communications, and multimedia content.
• Experience translating complex scientific, engineering, or technical subjects into engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated success developing proactive media relations strategies and cultivating relationships with journalists.
• Experience supervising staff, managing workflows, and providing coaching and performance feedback.
• Experience in higher education, research-intensive organizations, science, technology, engineering, or related fields.
• Familiarity with web analytics, audience insights, accessibility standards, and inclusive communications practices.
• Experience supporting executive communications, reputation management, or crisis communications.