Director, Health Promotions, Student Affairs

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.

At Duke, we believe that student well-being is essential to academic success, personal growth, and a thriving campus community. We celebrate the unique perspectives, experiences, and identities that each member of our community brings.

As the Director of Health Promotion, you will provide strategic leadership for Duke's health education and prevention initiatives, helping shape a healthier, safer, and more equitable campus environment. You will lead a dynamic team of health promotion professionals and student leaders, advancing innovative, evidence-based approaches that empower students to make informed decisions and flourish in every aspect of their lives.

This is an opportunity to influence campus culture, champion student wellness, and establish national best practices in higher education health promotion.

Application review will begin September 28th.  

Be Bold.

As the Director of Health Promotion, you will serve as a strategic partner to university leadership and campus stakeholders while overseeing comprehensive prevention, wellness, and health education efforts across Duke.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Campus Prevention

• Lead the vision, development, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive campus-wide health promotion and prevention strategy.
• Design and oversee evidence-based programs that support student well-being across areas including:
• Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention
• Mental health and resilience
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Healthy relationships
• Bystander intervention
• Nutrition, sleep, and physical wellness
• Digital well-being and flourishing
• Utilize public health frameworks, environmental management strategies, and national best practices to influence campus culture and support healthy behaviors.
• Advance inclusive excellence by ensuring all programs are culturally responsive and recognize the impact of identity on health outcomes.
• Monitor evolving federal regulations, public health guidance, and compliance requirements related to wellness and violence prevention.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through data collection, analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with institutional partners on campus climate assessments, strategic planning, policy development, and implementation efforts.
• Lead and strengthen undergraduate, graduate, and professional student peer health education programs.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit, hire, develop, mentor, and evaluate professional staff, graduate assistants, interns, and student employees.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture focused on continuous learning and professional development.
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance management, and strategic guidance to direct reports.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and prevention goals.
• Build organizational capacity through cross-functional partnerships and effective workforce planning.

Partnership Building & Outreach

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships across campus and within the local community to enhance student wellness initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted resource and advisor to student organizations, peer educators, faculty, and staff.
• Lead wellness communication and marketing efforts that promote awareness, engagement, and access to resources.
• Provide consultation and educational opportunities for faculty and staff related to harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and wellness promotion strategies.

Student Support & Consultation

• Provide direct student engagement, coaching, consultation, and intervention services related to health and well-being.
• Utilize evidence-based approaches and motivational interviewing techniques to support student growth and behavior change.
• Serve as a backup resource for survivors navigating university and community support systems.
• Participate in Student Affairs on-call responsibilities, responding to urgent and emergent student situations as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

• Serve on university committees, task forces, and working groups related to student wellness, safety, prevention, and campus climate.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned in support of departmental, divisional, and university priorities.

Key Qualifications

Required Education

• Master's degree in Public Health, Counseling, Social Work, Higher Education, or a related discipline.

Required Experience

• Work generally requires six years’ post-Master’s experience in college health, counseling and/or wellness promotion and education, or a related field to acquire skills necessary to manage a major program area within student affairs.

Equivalent combinations of relevant education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Strongly Preferred Education and Experiences:

• 2-3 years’ experience leading a health promotion or health education unit in a higher education setting.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• A thorough understanding of well-being and prevention in a university community, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, gender violence, bystander education, mental and physical health, and other related topics.   
• Expertise in understanding the practice and impact of federal regulations, including Title IX and the Campus SAVE Act. 
• Experience with various public and college health models and frameworks and implementation of interventions to influence health-related behaviors and choices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students at varying levels.   
• Supervisory experience with staff and graduate students and interns is helpful. 
• Strong communication, writing and organizational skills with attention to detail.   
• Effective interpersonal skills including a willingness to create an environment that challenges gender-based violence and norms yet remains welcoming environment for all people.  
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement programs and outreach for diverse populations.   
• Experience with one-on-one student interventions, wellness coaching, health evaluation, and crisis support. 

Choose Duke.

Why Duke?

Duke is consistently recognized as one of the nation's leading institutions for education, research, innovation, and healthcare. Our commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom, creating a campus environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

As part of Student Affairs, you'll collaborate with passionate colleagues who are committed to advancing student wellness through innovative programs, evidence-based practices, and meaningful partnerships.

At Duke, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Shape the future of student well-being.
• Influence institutional culture and policy.
• Lead innovative prevention and health promotion initiatives.
• Work alongside collaborative colleagues committed to student success.
• Grow professionally within a world-class academic institution.

Benefits & Rewards

Duke offers a competitive and comprehensive rewards package that supports your professional success and personal well-being, which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement and savings programs
• Generous paid time off and holiday benefits
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness and employee assistance programs
• Educational assistance opportunities
• Access to a vibrant and inclusive campus community

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're a visionary leader who is passionate about student wellness, prevention, health education, and creating thriving communities, we encourage you to apply.

Join Duke and help build a healthier, safer, and more connected campus where every student has the opportunity to flourish.

Apply today and Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.