Director of Communications & Media Relations - Engineering

Duke University; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Pratt School of Engineering seeks an experienced Associate Director of Communications and Media Relations to lead editorial, research communications, and media relations. This hands-on role translates complex engineering work into compelling content and builds relationships with faculty, media, and external partners.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will develop strategic plans, manage editorial calendars, supervise staff, and collaborate with campus teams to elevate the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field.
• Six years of experience in PR, marketing, media relations, journalism, or related field or equivalent.
• Strong writing, editing, organizational, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications, editorial, research communications, and media relations initiatives that support the Pratt School of Engineering's mission, priorities, and reputation.
• Translate School-wide priorities into actionable communications plans and manage projects from concept through execution, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted communications partner to department chairs, faculty leaders, research center directors, and administrative leaders across the School.
• Oversee the School's editorial operation, including news stories, research communications, web content, newsletters, executive communications, social media content, and multimedia storytelling.
• Write and edit high-profile communications materials, including feature stories, research narratives, speeches, talking points, press releases, leadership communications, and other strategic content.
• Develop and manage annual editorial calendars that align storytelling efforts with research achievements, academic programs, faculty expertise, student experiences, and major School initiatives.
• Translate complex scientific, engineering, and technical concepts into compelling and accessible content for prospective students, alumni, industry partners, policymakers, funding agencies, media, and the public.
• Lead research and science communications efforts by identifying emerging discoveries, grants, publications, and faculty achievements with strong storytelling and media potential.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and communicators across Duke to elevate the visibility and impact of engineering research and innovation.
• Serve as the School's primary media relations contact, developing proactive media strategies, building relationships with journalists, responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and preparing faculty and leaders for media engagement.
• Draft and edit press releases, media statements, briefing materials, and thought leadership content that advances the School's visibility and reputation.
• Partner with multimedia, digital, social media, enrollment, advancement, and University Communications teams to develop integrated communications campaigns and storytelling initiatives.
• Lead flagship storytelling projects, including faculty-focused multimedia content and emerging content strategies designed to expand audience reach and engagement.
• Monitor audience insights, analytics, media coverage, and performance metrics to inform communications strategies and improve results.
• Supervise communications and multimedia staff, providing leadership, coaching, performance management, workflow oversight, project prioritization, and capacity planning.
• Help identify emerging communications opportunities, reputational considerations, and strategic messaging needs while supporting a culture of collaboration and excellence across the communications team.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Organizational skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Duke University Pratt School of Engineering seeks an experienced Associate Director of Communications and Media Relations to lead editorial, research communications, and media relations. This hands-on role translates complex engineering work into compelling content and builds relationships with faculty, media, and external partners.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will develop strategic plans, manage editorial calendars, supervise staff, and collaborate with campus teams to elevate the