Senior Writer and Editor, Law School

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.

Duke Law School

Bolch Judicial Institute

Senior Writer and Editor

Duke Title:(Public Relations Specialist Sr.)

Under the direction of deputy director, the senior writer and editor will lead content development to support the mission of the Bolch Judicial Institute and to publicize the Institute’s activities, programs, publications, and research to a diverse audience of donors, stakeholders, alumni, judges, lawyers, students, and scholars.

The Bolch Judicial Institute works to study and promote rule-of-law principles, judicial independence, and law reform through technology and innovation. The Institute provides unique educational opportunities for sitting judges in the United States and around the globe; conducts research and supports teaching and scholarship; and develops civic education initiatives to advance its mission.

Work Performed

Work with Institute staff, constituents, alumni, board members, and other partners to identify news and promotional and marketing needs and to develop appropriate communications materials.

Conduct interviews, research, and write articles, news releases, feature stories, op-eds, web content, social media posts, blog posts, reports, grant proposals, and other text and content types, editing copy for accuracy and style and implementing processes for internal content review and approval.

Serve as a staff editor for Judicature, the Institute’s journal about judging and the rule of law, managing content development for each edition, editing articles for accuracy and style, working with contributing authors, law student editors, and internal staff to prepare content for publication in print and online for each of three editions. Coordinate the work of freelancers, vendors, printers, and designers as needed to produce and print each edition. Assist in management of subscriptions and sponsors, production of mailing lists, and management of journal promotion and distribution.

Lead development of Judicature International, a monthly online newsletter focusing on judiciaries around the globe. Develop, research, and write articles, lead roundtable discussions and Q&A interviews, oversee the work of contributing authors and law student editors, and collaborate with internal staff to design, disseminate, and promote the newsletter.

Coordinate content development, site structure, design and organization for the Bolch Judicial Institute and Judicature websites, developing copy, identifying appropriate images and designs, ensuring compliance with Duke University branding and technical guidelines, and collaborating with appropriate staff in the Duke Law communications and media services departments.

Draft speeches, talking points, interview and event scripts, for in-person and virtual events, for Bolch Institute leadership and others who participate in Bolch programs. Assist in developing messaging and content for signature events such as the Bolch Prize for the Rule of Law and the Lemkin Rule of Law Guardian Medal programs.

Develop regular reporting mechanisms and share reports to track performance of web content, journals, emails, and other content-driven campaigns, utilizing website and email analytics, user surveys, reader surveys, and other tools. Make recommendations to the deputy director and the director for new public relations campaigns, marketing programs, story and publication ideas, and changes to existing programs to support Institute goals.

Supervise the work of contractors, student workers, and others who may assist in these functions.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training:    

Work requires the ability to perform creative writing and related activities such as conducting interviews and research and copy editing normally acquired through attainment of a bachelor's degree in Journalism, English or a related discipline.

Experience

Work requires two years of directly related writing, public relations, or marketing experience.

Preferred Skills

Familiarity with the legal profession and law degree or law school communications experience strongly preferred.

Excellent writing and editing skills as demonstrated through writing samples from news media, magazines, journals, or similar publications.

Familiarity with AP style.

Experience with web editors (Wordpress, Drupal), project management tools (Asana), and Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

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 jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob 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.