Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.
Be You.
At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Assistant Director, Durham and Community Affairs, you will play a key role in advancing initiatives that strengthen partnerships between Duke and the Durham community across five focus areas: Community, Health, Housing, Employment, and Education. You’ll collaborate across teams and with local partners to drive meaningful, mission-driven work that creates lasting impact.
Be Bold.
In this role, you will lead and manage strategic programs that connect Duke with the broader community, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities while advancing innovative approaches to community engagement. You’ll operate with a high level of autonomy, guide cross-functional efforts, and influence initiatives that shape community outcomes.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead and manage strategic initiatives across DCA’s five focus areas: Community, Health, Housing, Employment, and Education
- Develop, coordinate, and evaluate programs that foster purposeful partnerships between Duke and the Durham community
- Oversee operational planning, budgets, and program policies to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
- Monitor program effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative methods; identify trends and implement improvements
- Facilitate focus area meetings and provide recommendations on structure, processes, and priorities to senior leadership
- Manage proposal development, reporting processes, and administrative deliverables
- Coordinate and execute special events and initiatives both on and off campus
- Partner across DCA teams (housing, education, community health, engagement, operations, research, and advancement) to align efforts with community priorities and SCIP outcomes
- Build and strengthen connections between Duke and community partners to advance collaboration
- Research and present local and national trends and best practices to leadership
- Support communications strategies, including newsletters, promotional materials, publications, and internal “Doing Good” communications
- Collaborate with Communications leadership to plan and execute public-facing materials and campaigns
- Supervise staff, interns, student workers, and contractors, supporting development and performance
- Respond to inquiries and manage requests in alignment with established policies and procedures
- Work independently while proactively keeping senior leaders informed on progress and priorities
Choose Duke.
At Duke University, you’ll join a mission-driven organization committed to building stronger communities through collaboration, innovation, and service. You’ll have the opportunity to shape impactful programs, partner with passionate colleagues, and contribute to meaningful change across Durham and beyond.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply now and help us build a stronger, more connected Durham community.
Position requires analytical, organizational and communications skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.
Work requires a minimum of three years management experience or an equivalent combination of relevant education AND/OR experience.
Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $59,829.00 to USD $86,700.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/
Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military 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 essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).
