The Director, Integrated Communications serves as the strategic leader for internal communications at Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital (DLNH) and functions as the primary conduit between hospital leadership, DUHS Marketing & Communications, and external communication efforts.

The Director also establishes communications governance and coordination processes that align hospital leadership priorities with system marketing, external communications, and internal engagement strategies.

This role guides the development and execution of integrated communication strategies that align internal engagement, brand stewardship, marketing initiatives, and community messaging in support of organizational priorities. Internal communications and change management are the primary focus of the position.

The Director acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, ensuring messaging is aligned, transparent, timely, and reflective of Duke Health’s mission and values.

The Director leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive internal communications strategy that promotes transparency, morale, alignment, and team member engagement across all departments.

In partnership with DUHS Marketing & Communications and hospital leadership, this role ensures coordinated messaging across internal, digital, marketing, community outreach, and crisis communications channels. This role translates organizational priorities into coordinated messaging strategies that support workforce engagement, community reputation, and service line growth.

The Director provides operational oversight of communications planning, message development, digital and print content production, leadership communications, and change management initiatives. This position also supervises the Senior Communications Specialist and external vendors, fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture grounded in service excellence and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Integrated Communications Strategy

• Lead development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with hospital and system priorities.

• Ensure alignment across internal, marketing, digital, and community-facing communications.

• Establish communications governance processes, including editorial planning, message prioritization, and coordination with DUHS Marketing & Communications to ensure clarity, consistency, and strategic alignment.

• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on messaging and engagement.

2. Internal Communications & Change Management (Primary Focus)

• Direct internal communications strategy to promote engagement, transparency, and cultural alignment.

• Develop executive messaging, town halls, newsletters, and digital content.

• Design and implement change management communications plans supporting strategic initiatives.

• Ensure internal communications are tailored to diverse workforce audiences, including clinical teams, physicians, frontline staff, and leadership.

3. Brand & Marketing Alignment

• Serve as strategic integrator of communications across internal, marketing, and leadership channels to DUHS Marketing & Communications to ensure brand consistency and message alignment.

• Support marketing initiatives promoting services, providers, and growth priorities.

• Oversee development of print, digital, video, and presentation materials to ensure brand compliance.

4. Crisis & Executive Communications

• Lead hospital-level crisis communications in coordination with DUHS leadership.

• Develop real-time updates, talking points, and leadership messaging to ensure clarity and confidence.

• Provide strategic communications counsel to hospital executives, supporting leadership visibility, message clarity, and alignment during key organizational initiatives.

5. Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as communications advisor to hospital executives, service line leaders, and department heads.

• Build strong partnerships to support business objectives and workforce engagement.

6. Digital & Content Oversight

• Guide content strategy across intranet, website, email, and social platforms.

• Partner with DUHS Communications on video and digital storytelling initiatives.

• Develop and monitor communications metrics and engagement analytics to evaluate effectiveness and inform strategy across internal and integrated communication channels.

7. Department Leadership & Operations

• Supervise communications staff and vendors; foster a culture of accountability and excellence.

• Oversee project planning, budgets, and performance metrics.

• Ensure all communications meet quality, regulatory, and HIPAA standards.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, healthcare administration, business administration, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred. 

Experience

Five years of directly related experience is required.

Experience developing and executing strategic communications programs, including internal communications, executive messaging, organizational change communications, and integrated marketing alignment.

Key experience includes working with all levels of organizational leadership in the adoption of plans and tactics, and making plan course corrections as needed based on emerging information or market evolution. Experience with emerging marketing tools (i.e.. social media and customer relationship marketing) strongly preferred.

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.