Director of Programs, Duke Center of Documentary Studies

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

1d • $61,535 - $95,880

About The Position

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. As the Program Director for the Duke Center for Documentary Studies (CDS), you’ll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that supports students, artists, and community members from diverse backgrounds as they pursue careers in documentary arts and storytelling.

Be Bold.
The Program Director will lead and manage the administration and direction of all public-facing CDS programs and initiatives. This role shapes the intellectual and artistic landscape at CDS, fosters collaborations across Duke University and with partner organizations, and supports documentary artists. You’ll report directly to the CDS Director and work closely with faculty, staff, and external partners to advance the mission of CDS.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 4 years in academic or creative arts administration, program management, event planning, and faculty/staff coordination.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking; experience in fundraising, budget management, and digital media tools.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of documentary field, academic program development, and digital media production.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute all CDS programs, including the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, artist residencies, continuing education courses, public arts programming, Doc+ summer program, workshops, exhibitions, awards/grants, and community engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with leadership, faculty, and staff to design programs for documentary makers—undergraduates, graduate students, continuing education students, artists, and community members.
• Coordinate the CDS Undergraduate Education program and partnerships with Duke departments, area universities, and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Develop publicity and marketing materials for programs and events, including websites, social media, and digital media.
• Ensure programs align with CDS’s mission and academic goals.
• Prepare brochures, newsletters, and other publications to promote academic goals and events.
• Maintain liaison with external educational and professional organizations to explore specialized programs and encourage participation.
• Build and maintain relationships with artists, organizations, and institutions locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Represent CDS at conferences and meetings to explore new partnerships.
• Collaborate on fundraising strategies, grant writing, and donor relations.
• Work with the CDS Director and development team to grow institutional resources.
• Plan and manage events such as arts programming, talks, symposia, workshops, and residencies.
• Coordinate logistics for speaker series and special programs, including schedules, facilities, publicity, and financial arrangements.
• Oversee event logistics, including travel, lodging, and technology needs.
• Supervise student assistants and event personnel.
• Develop and manage program budgets aligned with financial goals.
• Oversee financial administration and ensure compliance with Duke policies.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend adjustments annually.
• Prepare regular reports on program impact and metrics.
• Supervise day-to-day operations and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Manage staff and personnel actions, including hiring, performance appraisals, and scheduling.

Benefits

• Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees