Director, Communications

SARAH P. DUKE GARDENS

DIRECTOR. COMMUNICATIONS

Occupational Summary

Sarah P. Duke Gardens is an award-winning 55-acre public botanic garden on the campus of Duke University, dedicated to learning, inspiration and enjoyment through excellence in horticulture and community engagement. Duke Gardens attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually from across Durham and the world. Admission is free, and the garden is open from 8 a.m. to dusk 365 days a year.

The director of communications develops and coordinates strategic communications for Duke Gardens, including news articles, program promotions, signs, videos, website content and media coverage, collaborating closely with colleagues in programs, visitor services, development and horticulture.

The position reports to the executive director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens and is a member of the senior leadership team.

Schedule: 40 hours per week. Hybrid schedule of onsite work and telecommuting available. Work hours include some evenings and weekends.

Work Performed

- Create and maintain a unified voice through both print and electronic media, working closely with Duke Communications and Marketing and the Office of Climate and Sustainability.

- Collaborate with Duke Gardens colleagues to highlight the Gardens' reputation as a top tourist destination, as well as achievements and developments within the garden. Create communications that strive to ensure that all visitors feel welcome and have positive experiences.

- Create communications that reflect Duke Gardens' commitment to embrace and represent the full diversity of our community. Collaborate with and learn from people who represent a spectrum of human experience. Welcome and encourage new relationships and dialogue as we build a more inclusive future together.

- Work with Duke Health, Duke Student Wellness, the Office of Climate and Sustainability and others to improve people's understanding of Duke Gardens' value as a resource for learning, health, wellbeing, community engagement and sustainable horticultural practices.

- Work with the Gardens' Interpretation Committee to shape and adhere to a garden-wide interpretive plan. Ensure that the plan incorporates Duke University branding and language guidelines and Duke Gardens' strategic goals for sharing educational, logistical, wayfinding and other information with consistency in design, language, tone and key messaging.

- Collaborate with development staff and other stakeholders to create an annual report and digital magazine that synthesizes fiscal year data and creative storytelling to engage and inspire donors and achieve fundraising objectives. Determine content and deadlines, guide and edit contributors' articles, and select and edit photos for these publications.

- Maintain the Gardens' website with seasonal information and frequent updates regarding educational programs, visitor logistics, closures and other developments and promotions.

- Oversee the Gardens' social media communications strategy. Edit staff-written content, conduct interviews for articles, and take photos and videos to supplement staff and volunteer content. Monitor social media comments and inquiries. Stay informed about the latest trends and best practices on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others.

- Manage news media and other filming requests, in collaboration with Duke Communications and Marketing. Organize media logistics and scheduling and accompany all video shoots in the Gardens.

- Determine fiscal requirements and prepare budgetary recommendations.

- Oversee Duke Gardens' library of resources, including external communications contacts and services, logos, photos, videos, illustrations and artwork, and historical projects.

- Work with external graphic designers and printers on books, signs, brochures and other materials.

- Supervise a part-time staff writer/photo content manager, as well as a volunteer photo team and work-study student photographers and videographers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Ability to develop and deliver written information to internal and external audiences to ensure message is communicated effectively.

- Demonstrated knowledge of writing across multiple disciplines, including informative writing and storytelling

- Experience with Associated Press Stylebook.

- Ability to oversee projects and teams, setting timelines and meeting deadlines.

- Extensive experience with planning, writing and editing. Ability to train and mentor others in best practices for preparing and disseminating information.

- Ability to develop and implement communication strategies, standards and protocols.

- Ability to serve as the internal media relations expert and sounding board for the organization, and to direct the development of content as part of the overall communication strategy.

- Ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment, with the acumen and sensitivity to identify matters that require higher level management consultation and /or group collaboration.

- Ability to craft effective communications with sensitivity and urgency, and to match goals with broader organizational objectives and budgetary resources.

- Ability to convey information orally to individuals or groups to ensure they are receptive to the message.

- Ability to listen and respond appropriately to information from others, including constructive criticism. Ability to respond diplomatically to written or in-person complaints from visitors or social media followers.

*Ideal candidate will also have skills in graphic design, photography, videography, and photo/video editing, as well as experience using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere, Canva, Airtable, Drupal, WordPress and Google Analytics.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described therein.

*Qualified applicants should apply through Duke careers web portal at https://hr.duke.edu, job requisition #242825, and send a copy of your resume and cover letter only to GardensJobs@duke.edu.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training

Completion of a bachelor's degree program in journalism, communications, English or a related discipline.

Experience

Requires at least 7 years' experience in writing, public relations, communications or related discipline.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position.

Education

Completion of a bachelor's degree program in Journalism, Communications, English or a related discipline.

Experience

Requires at least 7 years experience in writing,public relations, communications or related discipline.

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.