Freelance Communication Research Jobs in Raleigh, NC

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. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Communications Manager, Duke Global

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week on campus in Durham, NC; additional in-person presence may be required based on business needs, events, leadership meetings, and strategic initiatives.)

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Communications Manager, Duke Global, you will help tell the stories that showcase Duke University's global impact while connecting people, ideas, and partnerships across disciplines and regions.

Duke Global helps advance Duke University's global and local impact by championing global perspectives and strengthening engagement around the world. Situated within the Office of the Provost, Duke Global serves as a hub for collaboration, supporting faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners in addressing complex global challenges through education, research, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the narrative of Duke's global initiatives, elevate institutional visibility, and contribute to efforts that strengthen Duke's presence and influence around the world.

Duke Global is home to the Global Program Support (GPS) unit, the Strategy, Partnerships and Innovation team, and the Future Universities Alliance (Alliance). Duke Global also oversees the Office of Global Health and Safety (OGHS) and the Global Travel Office (GTO).

Be Bold.

The Communications Manager is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that advances Duke Global's mission and strategic priorities. This role serves as the primary content strategist, storyteller, communications project manager, and brand steward for Duke Global, OGHS, and GTO.

Reporting to the Director, Global Administration, this position partners closely with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students and external vendors to develop and maintain comprehensive communications strategies, platforms and initiatives, strategic messaging, website development and media relations.

What You'll Do

Writing, content production and storytelling (35%)

• Define and execute the editorial strategy and priorities for Duke Global communications, including identifying and defining storytelling priorities, conducting interviews, and developing and producing high-priority stories, announcements and content for GPS, the Strategy, Partnerships and Innovation team, and the Alliance.
• Identify and amplify global content and initiatives from across Duke units and ensure that the Duke Global website, newsletter, social media, and other channels reflect the diversity of global research, education, and resources at Duke. Highlight upcoming global events and opportunities at Duke (as open/relevant to audiences) and amplify stories and events coming from other units at Duke.
• Lead health and safety and outbound visa services messaging, including crisis communications.

• Support communications needs of the Chief Global Strategist and other Duke Global senior leaders, including for presentations, interviews, and other external and internal engagements

Website design and management (30%)

• Lead development of a new Duke Global website in alignment with university priorities, coordinating leadership and stakeholder feedback and decision-making, and determining necessary resources.
• Manage freelancer/contractor relationships and workflow (e.g., technical consultants, graphic designers, photographers, writers, etc.).
• Lead design and content of the Duke Global, Alliance, OGHS and GTO websites.
• Manage the content of social media accounts and websites to ensure consistency, accuracy, timeliness, alignment with Duke brand standards, accessibility compliance, and optimization of content for SEO and other best practices.
• Maintain recognizable brand identity for Duke Global through website design, branding materials, and other channels.
• Manage relationships with the OIT web strategy team and collaborate on web projects as needed, including managing budgets and resources.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the university to gather feedback on website content and other communications projects and campaigns to ensure the development of an effective content strategy aligned with university-wide priorities.

Future Universities Alliance storytelling and media (25%)

• Identify story material from cohort institutions and help shape prioritization, working with Alliance program staff to determine which channel (Substack, podcast, web) best fits each story.
• Own the Substack calendar, identifying and scheduling topics, copyediting and coordinating revisions with Alliance leadership contributors, and handling formatting and publishing.
• Own the podcast production calendar, contributing to the arc of the season, building the schedule, and managing logistics from recording through publication.
• Manage the Alliance's standalone website (on its own domain, separate from Duke), including the initial build-out and ongoing content updates as cohort details evolve, routing substantive changes to Alliance program staff for review.
• Managing social media for the Alliance, with a focus on LinkedIn. Maintain a posting calendar, amplify Substack and podcast releases, and encourage participant amplification from cohort institutions.
• Manage earned media for the Alliance, acting as the point of contact for journalist inquiries, pitching stories to relevant outlets, and coordinating press logistics for major moments, including the Global Summit.
• Coordinate cross-promotion of Alliance content across Duke Global and Alliance channels around the Global Summit (October 2026) and other events.

Internal communications and monitoring (10%)

• Prepare annual budget inputs and recommendations, including determining resource needs, e.g., freelance/contractor support, and assessing how communications funding should be allocated across projects and priorities.
• Develop and oversee the audience engagement strategy for global communications, identifying primary and secondary audiences and increasing engagement among external and internal audiences.
• Develop the strategy and content curation direction for the Duke Global newsletter, including owning the vision, design, and execution, ensuring alignment with senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Monitor and report to Duke Global leadership on reach and impact analytics across communications channels and adapt strategy and tactics according to engagement data.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or a related field.

Experience

• Four years of professional experience in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience developing and publishing content across digital and print communications channels.
• Demonstrated project management, organizational, and strategic communications skills.
• Experience working in international, global, or cross-cultural environments.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education communications.
• Demonstrated success creating compelling and audience-centered storytelling campaigns.
• Experience managing executive communications and leadership messaging.
• Experience leading crisis communications.
• Knowledge of SEO, website accessibility standards, web analytics, and digital content strategy.
• Experience managing newsletters, podcasts, social media platforms, and multi-channel communications campaigns.

Work Arrangement

This position is designated as Hybrid, with an expectation of 2-3 days per week on campus in Durham, North Carolina. Additional in-person participation may be required to support leadership meetings, special events, strategic initiatives, crisis communications activities, and key stakeholder engagements.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll find more than a job. You'll find a collaborative and mission-driven community committed to excellence, innovation, inclusion, and global impact. Your work will help connect people and ideas across borders while advancing Duke University's role as a leader in addressing the world's most pressing challenges.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help strengthen Duke's global presence through strategic communications, inspiring storytelling, and meaningful engagement that advances research, education, innovation, and partnerships around the world.