Assistant Director, Public Affairs & Issues Management

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University is seeking an Assistant Director, Communications Response & Support to help identify, assess, and manage emerging issues that may affect the university’s reputation, mission, or operations. You will develop reactive and proactive communications strategies and work with leadership across units to enable informed decision-making.

Based on collaboration with government relations, legal, student affairs, and other partners, you will support coordinated responses, monitor trends,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, higher education administration, political science, public policy, journalism, or a related field.
• Four years of experience in issues management, strategic communications, public affairs, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred for departmental preference.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a central resource for issues management support to schools, colleges, and units across the university.
• Support the development and execution of system-wide issues management strategies and response plans.
• Provide guidance, tools, and best practices to school-level communications and leadership teams.
• Monitor and analyze emerging issues, trends, and risks affecting higher education.
• Prepare issue briefs, talking points, FAQs, background materials, and risk assessments for senior leadership.
• Assist in coordinating cross-functional responses to sensitive or high-profile issues.
• Track and analyze media coverage, social media, and stakeholder activity.
• Support crisis preparedness and response efforts, including scenario planning and message development.
• Collaborate with central and unit-level communications teams for consistent messaging.
• Liaise with government relations, legal counsel, student affairs, and other offices.
• Maintain issue and media tracking to support monitoring and reporting.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of issues management strategies and recommend improvements.
• Support general media relations work in line with the university’s priorities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Written & verbal comms

Interpersonal skills

Org & proj mgmt

News judgment

Agency partnerships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations/HE administration/political science/public policy/journalism

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Duke University is seeking an Assistant Director, Communications Response & Support to help identify, assess, and manage emerging issues that may affect the university’s reputation, mission, or operations. You will develop reactive and proactive communications strategies and work with leadership across units to enable informed decision-making.

Based on collaboration with government relations, legal, student affairs, and other partners, you will support coordinated responses, monitor trends,