Executive Director, Strategic Events

Duke University School of Medicine, established in 1930, stands out as one of the nation’s premier medical schools, ranked sixth for its excellence in education, research, and clinical care. As the youngest of the nation's top medical schools, Duke prides itself on an inclusive community of learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff who foster interdisciplinary collaboration to accelerate scientific discoveries enhancing human health locally and globally. The school is part of Duke Health, an exceptional academic medical center that includes Duke University School of Nursing and Duke University Health System. This vast network offers outstanding healthcare services through Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and various outpatient and home care programs.

Within this prestigious institution, the Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs (DHDAA) team supports a flexible work environment offering on-site, hybrid, and remote working arrangements designed to cultivate a balance between professional and personal life. However, the Executive Director of Strategic Events role, based in Durham, NC, requires a hybrid work model that blends on-site presence with remote flexibility. Individuals accepting this position are expected to reside within a 50-mile radius of the downtown Durham office and maintain a secure home office environment with reliable high-speed internet.

The Executive Director of Strategic Events reports to the Associate Vice President of Advancement Programs and Campaign and is a pivotal leader within DHDAA. This role spearheads the Strategic Events team responsible for planning, managing, and executing sophisticated and high-impact events that advance Duke Health’s philanthropic goals. The position plays a critical role in supporting the cultivation, stewardship, and engagement of principal, leadership, and major donors as well as alumni, faculty, and students across the Duke School of Medicine and Health. The Executive Director collaborates closely with various internal units to ensure event objectives and messaging align with institutional priorities and fundraising strategies.

The role demands strategic thinking, excellent communication, and the ability to juggle multiple complex projects simultaneously. The Executive Director manages a team of four exempt employees and oversees significant events, including the Dean’s Distinguished Research Series and the Lefkowitz Lecture, ensuring flawless execution and impactful engagement. Duties extend to developing comprehensive event timelines, coordinating speakers and program content, managing event budgets, and deploying innovative event technologies such as CVENT and virtual meeting platforms to enhance hybrid and virtual event experiences.

Additionally, the Executive Director acts as a key liaison for Duke Health leaders, managing their event roles and preparing briefing materials, talking points, and background information to optimize the impact of these engagements. Regular oversight of event communications, RSVP management, data collection, and event analytics enables continuous improvement of event strategies. The role also includes managing a centralized calendar system for all DHDAA events and resolving scheduling conflicts involving top leadership.

Duke University offers an attractive salary range for this position, from $78,161 to $156,319 annually, reflecting candidates’ experience, education, and skills. Beyond salary, the university provides competitive benefits, including comprehensive medical and dental programs, generous retirement plans, and family-friendly initiatives that contribute to a well-rounded compensation package. Duke is committed to equal opportunity employment and fostering a diverse, innovative, and inclusive work culture where all voices are valued and respected. This opportunity allows a motivated leader to make a significant impact on the development efforts and community engagement initiatives at one of the nation’s leading medical schools.