School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

 

 

 

Research Comm & Engagement Project Manager

The DCRI’s Research Communications & Engagement (RC&E) team is seeking an experienced Research Comms and Engagement Project Manager to join our team. We encourage people from every race/ethnicity, belief, gender, sexual identity, background, and culture to join our team as we build a diverse and inclusive institute that represents the full diversity of the research communities we serve.

This team member is responsible for leading the development of communications plans and overseeing the execution of all communications tactics in support of DCRI-led clinical research projects, which range from traditional clinical trials and outcome studies to industry consortiums and partner collaborations. This team member is also responsible for leading project teams, with direct line management responsibilities for communications specialists on the team.

 

The ideal candidate will possess excellent project management, people management, and communications skills with a strong attention to detail. The candidate must be able to work with and manage teams of people with direct supervisory responsibilities. This position requires a background in the specialized field of clinical research communications, clinical research knowledge, strong writing skills, and expertise in translating scientific and medical concepts into plain language for various audiences. It also requires project scoping and budget management skills. Other skills of interest include Spanish or other foreign language fluency, experience communicating with underrepresented communities in clinical research, and competency in the use of a wide range of digital communications tools and tactics.

 

** NOTE: This position may have an opportunity to work remotely.  All Duke University and Duke Health remote workers must reside in one of the following states or districts:  Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Illinois; Maryland; Massachusetts; Montana; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia or Washington, DC., Washington (State), Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, Maine, Ohio and New Hampshire

 

About DCRI Research Communications & Engagement (RC&E)

The DCRI’s RC&E team is a specialized health communications agency serving external research sponsors (e.g. NIH, FDA, biopharma industry). We are fully billable and accountable to our research sponsors, not corporate communicators. We are comprised of clinical research communicators with decades of experience developing compelling, informative, and strategic communications in support of our research programs and studies. Our team members include communications strategists, marketers, social media specialists, web developers, videographers, photographers, production managers, and medical writers and editors. We understand the science of communications and work alongside our research sponsors and project teams to produce print, multimedia, and digital communications that engage a wide range of stakeholder audiences. Our communications programs support research operations, including recruitment, retention, ongoing engagement, and translation of research into care.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The DCRI has a long history of engaging representative stakeholders at every step of the research process. Key to the success of the DCRI is our Research Together program, which builds and sustains equitable, authentic, and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in our research communities, including patients and their caregivers. This foundation supports the integration of stakeholder values and beliefs into the research development and dissemination process. Recognizing that engagement and communications are inextricably linked, the DCRI’s RC&E team has decades of experience developing compelling, informative, and strategic communications in support of our research projects. This team aspires to reflect the diversity of the research communities we aim to serve. The DCRI Research Together and RC&E teams use a holistic, inclusive approach to develop culturally relevant content and dissemination strategies that promote meaningful collaborations between and among our researchers and research communities.

 

About the Position

The Research Comms and Engagement Project Manager serves as the oversight lead for DCRI-led communications programs, interfacing with internal and external clients. In addition, he/she coordinates and oversees the work of the clinical communications specialists, who are the primary writers of all deliverables, ranging from communications plans and brochures to press releases, social media posts, and informational websites. This team member partners with the research sponsor and others in the RC&E department, including the graphic design, production, and digital groups, to manage the written content through to final format. 

Key Responsibilities:

Communications Strategy, Content Development, & Execution:

Lead the development of strategic internal and external communications plans in support of our research projects. Coordinate the execution of communications projects, including the writing, editing, and designing of materials by communications specialists. Provide the final copyedit/review of content, and strategic input on design and formatting options. Provide input on technologic applications to optimize engagement and communications with research stakeholders.   Oversee the translation process of relevant materials to reach diverse populations.   Oversee the dissemination of communication materials and key measures of success.

Communications Project and Financial Management:

Oversee efforts of direct reports to develop communications deliverables on time, on budget, and to a high degree of quality. Monitor progress of all deliverables on an ongoing basis relative to established timeline and quality metrics. Ensure that delays are identified and communicated to project leaders, faculty, and functional group leadership in a timely manner. Participate in and facilitate efforts to implement appropriate interventions in order to meet timelines. Collaborate with other functional groups within the organization to support project goals. Track and report feedback to identify areas of success and improvement. Oversee the communications scope and budget for assigned projects. Work with project leader and faculty to identify resources required for each project and ensure appropriate assignment/availability of staff.

Personnel Management:

Manage and direct the efforts of direct reports and recommend personnel actions including but not limited to performance management, scheduling and work assignments, disciplinary action, promotions, and transfers. Define and communicate job descriptions and performance standards and expectations. Lead the interview, hiring, and onboarding process for cross-functional team members. Support the coordination of regular staff meetings and communication of departmental and organizational activities, goals, and policies. Develop and implement orientation programs for new employees as well as ongoing training, continuing education, and professional development. Establish accurate and consistent productivity expectations and revise as needed. Make recommendations regarding staffing requirements to meet departmental needs and achieve maximum productivity.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge and experience in the coordination, planning, and implementation of communication strategies and tactics. Excellent team leadership and management skills. Comprehensive therapeutic knowledge, including medical terminology.   Working knowledge of, and skill in applying, applicable clinical research regulatory requirements; i.e., Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.   Ability to understand and interpret clinical protocols and associated study specifications.   Expertise in translating scientific, medical and complex concepts into more easily understood terms for various audiences.   Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including a good command of the English language.   Ability to take initiative and work independently.   Strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to deliver quality results. Excellent customer service skills.   Ability to manage competing priorities.  

Education

Work requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, graphic design, or related field.

 Experience

Five years of clinical research communications experience with supervisory responsibilities OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

 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 essential job 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.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

 

Education

Work requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, graphic design, or related field.

 

Experience

 

Five years of clinical trial communications experience including OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE supervisory/management experience.

 

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.