Director of Communications Marketing - Nursing and Patient Care Services

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General Description of the Job Class

Serve as the senior communications strategist for Duke University Health System’s (DUHS) Division of Nursing and Patient Care Services (NPCS). This position plays a critical role in shaping and sharing the voice, values, and vision of Duke Nursing—amplifying its workforce, programs, priorities, and leadership across all channels. This individual partners closely with the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE), executive leadership, and divisional teams to elevate the reputation of nursing and ensure consistent, strategic communication both internally and externally.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Strategic Communications & Brand Amplification

• Design and lead integrated communications strategies that position Duke Nursing and Patient Care Services as a national leader in clinical excellence, workforce development, health equity, and compassionate care.
  
  
• Develop messaging frameworks and campaign strategies to support key initiatives, such as nursing recognition, education, innovation, safety, and workforce engagement.
  
  
• Act as a thought partner to senior leaders across the division, helping to identify stories and shape how the work of NPCS is communicated both within Duke Health and to external audiences.
  
  
• Collaborate closely with DUHS Marketing & Communications and other system-level partners to ensure message alignment and shared storytelling opportunities.

Executive Communications & Thought Leadership

• Provide strategic counsel and writing support to the CNE and other senior leaders, including speeches, remarks, talking points, op-eds, and key presentations.
  
  
• Identify and pursue visibility opportunities (speaking engagements, media interviews, award nominations) that reinforce leadership’s role in advancing the mission of Duke Nursing.
  
  
• Manage an executive visibility calendar and develop materials that reflect the authentic voice, values, and impact of the division’s leadership.

Surround Sound Strategy & Channel Integration

• Implement a surround-sound communications model—ensuring all storytelling efforts are echoed across multiple trusted channels including internal communications, newsletters, intranet, social media, live events, media coverage, and academic forums.
  
  
• Work across the enterprise to align and amplify key messages, milestones, and nursing-led innovations through coordinated campaigns.
  
  
• Use strategic timing, platforms, and content types to ensure broad reach and high engagement among internal and external audiences.

Content Development & Campaign Execution

• Lead the development and production of all major content deliverables, including digital copy, publications, newsletters, presentations, leader toolkits, social media posts, and video scripts.
  
  
• Manage branding, design standards, and HIPAA compliance across all Nursing and PCS materials.
  
  
• Maintain a consistent tone and visual identity that reflects Duke’s brand while showcasing the unique voice of the nursing division.

Internal Communications & Change Management

• Create and manage internal communication campaigns to support cultural transformation, team engagement, and organizational alignment.
  
  
• Support change management and system initiatives with clear, timely, and empathetic communication strategies tailored to a broad nursing audience.
  
  
• Develop internal messaging tools, FAQs, and executive communications to guide staff through periods of change or improvement.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with communications colleagues, academic partners, project leaders, and clinicians across the system.
  
  
• Serve as a liaison to media, external vendors, and professional associations to facilitate storytelling, event support, or awareness campaigns.
  
  
• Stay informed of health care and nursing trends to proactively identify opportunities for Duke Nursing to lead in the national conversation.

Leadership & Operations

• Track KPIs and evaluate communication effectiveness, using data to guide improvements.
  
  
• Maintain organized digital archives, branded templates, and evergreen materials for use across the division.
  
  
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, health care administration, or a related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in strategic communications or executive-level communications, ideally in a healthcare, academic, or large matrixed organization.
• Experience in internal communications, campaign development, and leadership support is essential.
• Proven success leading storytelling strategy and building brand voice across multiple platforms.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:
 N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
  
  
• Ability to develop strategic, engaging campaigns aligned with organizational priorities.
  
  
• Deep understanding of digital communications, intranet management, and content strategy.
  
  
• Strong interpersonal and consultative skills with the ability to navigate complex environments.
  
  
• Creative, collaborative, and proactive problem-solver.

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

This is a high-impact, high-visibility leadership role dedicated to strengthening the voice and visibility of Duke Nursing and Patient Care Services. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, masterful communicator, and relationship-builder with a passion for healthcare and a clear understanding of how to shape narratives that inspire, engage, and lead.

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.