DIRECTOR, RESEARCH COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT, DCRI

DIRECTOR, RESEARCH COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT, DCRI

Work Arrangement : Requisition Number : 247455 Regular or Temporary : Regular Location :

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area : MEDICAL CENTER Date : Jul 5, 2024

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.

DCRI POSITION DESCRIPTION

DCRI Research Communications & Engagement

The DCRI Research Communications & Engagement (RC&E) team is a specialized health communications agency serving external research sponsors (e.

g. NIH, FDA, biopharma industry) and the DCRI operational teams that administer or support their research studies and projects at Duke.

We are fully billable and accountable to DCRI’s research sponsors. Recognizing that engagement and communications are inextricably linked, our team comprises clinical research communicators and engagement specialists with decades of experience developing compelling, informative, strategic, and successful communications and engagement approaches in support of small to very large research programs and studies.

Our team includes members skilled in community engagement, communications strategy, marketing, social media, web development, videography and audio production, graphic design, management of print and exhibition materials, and medical writing and editing.

We understand the science of communications and engagement and work alongside our research sponsors and project teams to engage a wide range of audiences in clinical research.

Our communications and engagement programs support the needs of research operations, including recruitment, retention, ongoing engagement, and translation of research into care.

We use a holistic, inclusive approach to develop culturally relevant engagement and dissemination strategies that promote meaningful collaborations between and among researchers and research communities.

Position Summary

The Director of Research Communications & Engagement provides leadership and oversight of DCRI’s research engagement, communications, medical writing, medical editing, and shared services teams to ensure that RC&E activities are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high degree of excellence.

The Director is responsible for the financial health and success of the department and provides exemplary leadership in the integration of the department’s people, partners, and sponsors.

• 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

Primary Responsibilities and Tasks

• Set department strategy, goals, and key performance indicators, and ensure that the department is meeting or exceeding these metrics.
• Oversee the Medical Communications team, which combines the DCRI’s regulatory medical writing and editing activities and support.
• Oversee the Research Together team, which builds and sustains equitable and collaborative relationships with healthcare providers, research teams, advocacy groups, community partners, patients, and underrepresented populations to strengthen and improve clinical research.
• Oversee the RC&E Shared Services team, which combines our digital, graphic design, and production groups.
• Oversee the Research Communications team, including our managers and specialists who are the primary writers of deliverables such as communications plans, site materials, advertising materials, newsletters, study websites, and patient education materials.
• Oversee the development and execution of clinical research communications and engagement programs for RC&E-led projects.
• Oversee the RC&E portfolio of work, business development pipeline, resourcing, and delivery of work.
• As part of the DCRI Operational Management Team, provide input, expertise, and ideas to support the overall operational direction of the DCRI.
• Develop and implement workflows, operational plans, and process improvements.
• Establish and oversee appropriate quality control activities.
• Ensure that processes and work instructions are developed for all operational activities.
• Direct RC&E support for key projects and monitor progress and team member performance.
• Represent the department in internal compliance audits, sponsor audits, and regulation audits.
• Represent department in sales presentations and provide input into marketing and sales materials, the development of bids and proposals, and the creation and use of cost standards.
• Engage with sponsors and partners as part of business development and service delivery, and lead the development of strategic grants and proposals focused on research engagement and communications services.
• Prepare budgetary forecasts for operating and capital expenses. Develop and recommend the budget for the department. Manage activities to assure financial goals are met, including monitoring staff forecasting, resourcing, and utilization.
• Keep abreast of emerging developments and trends to improve research communications and engagement.
• Direct and supervise assigned personnel to include providing orientation and training, supporting growth and development, and conducting performance management and evaluations.
• Oversee employee recruitment, hiring, transfers, promotions, salary changes, disciplinary actions, performance management, terminations, and similar actions.
• Resolve grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities.
• Provide effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the department for effective teamwork and employee engagement.
• Provide career planning support to staff and create development plans to help staff achieve their career goals, including assigning work that leverages their skills and capabilities and provides them with opportunities for learning.
• Help create a positive work environment by maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues and recognizing employees for their contributions.

Foster a culture where all team members have opportunities to effectively contribute to the group’s achievement of goals.

Other Duties

Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications

Education / Training : (refer to the Duke HR website for minimum qualifications required if applicable)

Bachelor's degree in business, communications, or healthcare-related field required, master’s degree in related field preferred.

Experience : (refer to the Duke HR website for minimum qualifications required if applicable)

At least 10 years of direct clinical research communications and engagement experience including current expertise in proposal development, innovative project delivery, people management, and budget oversight.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Prior / Current Skills in proposal development (federally funded and industry) and delivery of innovative research communications and engagement programs
• Knowledge of communications and engagement standards and best practices
• Ability to mentor and set an example for direct reports in people management
• Ability to carefully manage departmental finance, project budgets, and team utilization targets, adjusting as needed
• Ability to work across a diverse team that includes both staff and faculty to meet key DCRI goals
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct multiple large-scale projects
• Ability to set a vision for a large team and lead staff in executing that vision
• Highest standards of integrity, ethics, and performance
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral, with the ability to represent DCRI externally across a wide range of partners

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor degree in business or clinical research or healthcare-related field required; Master's degree in related field preferred

Experience

At least 10 years of hands-on clinical research communications experience including current expertise in proposal development, innovative project delivery, people management, and budget oversight.

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.

Nearest Major Market : Durham

Nearest Secondary Market : Raleigh