Senior Writer

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives each member of our community brings. As the Writer for Duke Student Affairs, you’ll play a key role in shaping how students, families, faculty, staff, and partners experience our message. You will help tell the stories that define the student experience, amplify the voices of our diverse community, and communicate Student Affairs’ mission with clarity, purpose, and authenticity.

Be Bold.

As a creative storyteller and strategic communicator, you will lead the development of high‑impact messaging, digital content, and multimedia assets that strengthen Student Affairs’ brand and deepen engagement across the Duke community.

What You’ll Do

Writing & Editorial – 65%

• Produce high‑quality written content for digital and print platforms including feature stories, newsletters, announcements, and divisional campaigns.
• Conduct research and interviews to create compelling narratives that highlight the Duke student experience.
• Draft, edit, and finalize memos, briefs, web content, and executive correspondence on behalf of the Vice Provost/Vice President for Student Affairs.
• Ensure all communications reflect Duke’s standards for tone, accuracy, style, and strategic alignment.
• Collaborate with divisional leadership and campus partners to craft key messages.
• Support crisis, urgent, or issue‑related communications.
• Assist with scriptwriting and content planning for Student Affairs video channels.

Visual & Creative Communications – 20%

• Support the development of digital graphics, video materials, and visual assets that align with Student Affairs’ brand identity.
• Partner with the Student Affairs Communications team on pre‑ and post‑production video work, including writing and editing support.
• Help maintain consistency in branding, style, and voice across all materials.

Collaboration & Strategic Support – 10%

• Audit and update web pages to ensure compliance with Duke’s digital standards and divisional messaging.
• Participate in editorial planning, proofreading, and design workflows for major publications and campaigns.

Other Responsibilities – 5%

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the goals of the division and the university.

Choose Duke.

Join a team dedicated to enriching the student experience through thoughtful communication, inclusive storytelling, and a bold commitment to Duke’s values. You’ll collaborate across the university, contribute to meaningful projects, and elevate the voices that shape the Duke community.

What You Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related discipline.
• At least five years of professional writing experience with an editorial organization.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Strongly Preferred

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail.
• Strategic, creative, and critical thinking skills.
• Customer‑service orientation with the ability to work effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, and vendors.
• Experience with marketing analytics and using data to inform content.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, adapt to shifting needs, and protect confidential information.
• Advanced technical skills, including:
• Experience with project management tools such as Asana, Airtable, and Miro.
• Familiarity with Google Analytics.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Experience with email and social media marketing tools (Emma, Salesforce, HubSpot, Blueshift, YouTube, Instagram).
• WordPress content management.
• Proficiency with Canva, Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Microsoft applications.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us create a more connected, vibrant, and student‑centered Duke.