Strategic Communications & Operations Director

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, NC is seeking a Director of Communications Strategy & Operations to lead the department's project management and strategic initiatives across marketing, editorial, and web teams. The role reports to the AVP and oversees two project managers, shaping plans, governance, and performance metrics to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of high-visibility programs.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in marketing or related field and 7–10+ years of experience in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, design, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10+ years of experience in marketing, communications, brand strategy, or creative operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex, high-visibility projects.
• Strong understanding of brand governance, digital strategy, and integrated marketing and communications.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into execution while maintaining attention to detail and brand integrity.
• Excellent leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, with the ability to influence across a decentralized organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the department's project management function and supervise, coach, and develop two project management/operations professionals; set clear expectations, allocate work, review performance, and build consistent practices across the team.
• Establish and maintain department-wide project and portfolio management standards, including intake, scoping, prioritization, work plans, roles, milestones, decision points, approvals, documentation, and closeout.
• Oversee the effective use and continuous improvement of Wrike and related operational tools, dashboards, templates, and reporting practices; ensure accurate, timely visibility into project health, workload, risks, and dependencies.
• Develop and refine standard event operating procedures, governance structures, service expectations, and internal communication practices that strengthen accountability and collaboration.
• Manage selected vendors, agencies, freelancers, and project budgets in collaboration with functional leaders, ensuring work is delivered on time, within scope, on budget, and at the expected level of quality.
• Serve as an operational partner and project manager to the AVP, providing concise portfolio updates, decision briefs, risk assessments, and recommendations; represent the operations and strategy function in meetings as assigned.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Brand governance

Strategic communications

Digital strategy

Executive collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing/communications/design

Tools

Wrike

Job description

Duke University in Durham, NC is seeking a Director of Communications Strategy & Operations to lead the department's project management and strategic initiatives across marketing, editorial, and web teams. The role reports to the AVP and oversees two project managers, shaping plans, governance, and performance metrics to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of high-visibility programs.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in marketing or related field and 7–10+ years of experience in