Program Communications Assistant, Hart Leadership Program

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.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings.The Hart Leadership Program prepares and inspires undergraduate students to practice the art of ethical leadership in public life. Program offerings include internships, fellowships, academic courses, and co-curricular leadership projects at Duke, in Durham, and in communities across North Carolina and around the world. The mission of the Hart Leadership Program (HLP) is to teach Duke undergraduates how to practice ethical leadership by fostering community-based action, research with a civic mission, and collaborative practices that build genuinely public goods.

Reporting to the Senior Program Coordinator, the Program and Communications Assistant provides administrative support to undergraduate experiential learning programs and holds responsibility for a range of communications functions across the Hart Leadership Program. This role plays a critical role in recruitment of our undergraduate experiential learning programs. The Program and Communications Assistant must be comfortable working both independently and as part of a fast-paced, tightly-coordinated team. We seek candidates who are dependable, hardworking, energetic and creative, have excellent people skills, and are thorough and careful in their attention to detail.

Be Bold.

The Program and Communications Assistant provides critical administrative and communications support for undergraduate experiential learning programs and plays an essential role in program recruitment, engagement, and storytelling. This role requires a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

What You'll Do:

Program Administrative Support (60%)

• Update, distribute, collect, and track student forms and surveys for experiential learning programs
• Maintain records for experiential learning programs, including downloading summer assignments, routinely updating shared spreadsheets and databases with student and alumni information, and maintaining campus and community contact lists
• Create student assignment calendars for summer field placements and track submission of written reflections and other program-related assignments
• Assist with recruitment and selection administration and student onboarding for experiential learning programs
• Assist in preparing application packets for program selection committees
• Assist in scheduling program meetings and student interviews
• Make travel/housing arrangements for students participating in the Laidlaw Scholars Program and other programs as needed
• Propose, plan, and facilitate events for past program participants (both students and Duke alumni) to stay engaged with Hart Leadership
• Provide logistical assistance with program-related events like information sessions, student retreats, selection meetings, orientations, and research symposia
• Ensure Hart Leadership Program is registered for and represented at relevant campus fairs
• Provide limited course administration support for HLP courses, including distributing and tracking course permission numbers for gateway/capstone courses
• Update, distribute, and collect program evaluation surveys
• Provide administrative support for Davis Projects for Peace
• Other administrative tasks as assigned

Communications(40%)

• Design, create, and distribute print and digital assets for program recruitment, course promotion, and unit-wide communications
• Maintain primary responsibility for the Hart Leadership Program's social media accounts, ensuring consistent, engaging, and brand-aligned content along a set editorial calendar in consultation with HLP director and staff
• Write news stories and develop content for the Hart Leadership website, including student and community partner profiles, research updates, and other relevant programmatic content
• Regularly update website copy and images to reflect current programmatic information, maintain program cohort pages, and maintain online events calendar
• Coordinate, design and publish the monthly HLP newsletter during the academic year, including planning content, ensuring audience lists, and managing occasional e-blasts for announcements and deadlines
• Identify and pursue opportunities to share HLP stories in other venues at and beyond Duke
• Attend Duke and Sanford Communicators meetings as HLP representative
• Coordinate media for all HLP events
• Design and produce program brochures, annual reports, program directories, and other print assets
• Ensure all communications adhere to the Duke, Sanford, and HLP brand/style guides

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

What You Bring

Minimum Qualifications

Work generally requires four years of clerical or research experience to acquire strong skills in administrative or project research responsibilities as well as accepted officemanagement, communications and research practices.

A bachelor's degree in a field of study directly related to the specific position may be substituted for the education and two years of the experience requirement. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least two years of experience in program administration and/or communications
• Excellent writing and editing skills with demonstrated attention to detail
• Experience creating digital and print communications, including graphic design
• -Proficiency in social media management and website platforms (e.g., WordPress)
• Strong organizational and logistics coordination skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while also working independently
• Exceptional professionalism in written and verbal communication
• Experience using tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, and database systems
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and maintain consistent workflow
• Interest in civic engagement, leadership development, or higher education programming
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and problem-solving mindset

Choose Duke.

Duke University offers a dynamic and mission-driven environment where innovation, collaboration, and public impact come together. As part of the Hart Leadership Program, you will contribute to developing ethical leaders who create meaningful change in communities locally and globally.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a stronger, smarter, and more connected future.