Director of Programs, Duke Center of Documentary Studies

Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 264567

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: UNIVERSITY

Date: Feb 7, 2026

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. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Program Director for the Duke Center for Documentary Studies (CDS), you’ll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that supports students, artists, and community members from diverse backgrounds as they pursue careers in documentary arts and storytelling.

Be Bold.

The Program Director will lead and manage the administration and direction of all public-facing CDS programs and initiatives. This role shapes the intellectual and artistic landscape at CDS, fosters collaborations across Duke University and with partner organizations, and supports documentary artists. You’ll report directly to the CDS Director and work closely with faculty, staff, and external partners to advance the mission of CDS.

What You’ll Do:

Program Design, Planning, and Management (40%)
- Create and execute all CDS programs, including the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, artist residencies, continuing education courses, public arts programming, Doc+ summer program, workshops, exhibitions, awards/grants, and community engagement initiatives.
- Collaborate with leadership, faculty, and staff to design programs for documentary makers—undergraduates, graduate students, continuing education students, artists, and community members.
- Coordinate the CDS Undergraduate Education program and partnerships with Duke departments, area universities, and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Develop publicity and marketing materials for programs and events, including websites, social media, and digital media.
- Ensure programs align with CDS’s mission and academic goals.
- Prepare brochures, newsletters, and other publications to promote academic goals and events.
- Maintain liaison with external educational and professional organizations to explore specialized programs and encourage participation.
External Relations and Fundraising (20%)
- Build and maintain relationships with artists, organizations, and institutions locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Represent CDS at conferences and meetings to explore new partnerships.
- Collaborate on fundraising strategies, grant writing, and donor relations.
- Work with the CDS Director and development team to grow institutional resources.
Event Planning (20%)
- Plan and manage events such as arts programming, talks, symposia, workshops, and residencies.
- Coordinate logistics for speaker series and special programs, including schedules, facilities, publicity, and financial arrangements.
- Oversee event logistics, including travel, lodging, and technology needs.
- Supervise student assistants and event personnel.
Program Budget Management (10%)
- Develop and manage program budgets aligned with financial goals.
- Oversee financial administration and ensure compliance with Duke policies.
- Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend adjustments annually.
Administrative Duties (10%)
- Prepare regular reports on program impact and metrics.
- Supervise day-to-day operations and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
- Manage staff and personnel actions, including hiring, performance appraisals, and scheduling.

What You’ll Bring:

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
Experience: Minimum 4 years in academic or creative arts administration, program management, event planning, and faculty/staff coordination.
Skills: Strong communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking; experience in fundraising, budget management, and digital media tools.
Preferred: Knowledge of documentary field, academic program development, and digital media production.

Choose Duke.

Join a team committed to advancing documentary arts and public scholarship. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of documentary arts at Duke and beyond, supporting both emerging and established artists.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,535.00 to USD $95,880.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a stronger, smarter, and more connected future.

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 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 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.