Duke University seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader for the newly established role of Associate Vice President (AVP) for Economic Development. With a dual reporting structure to the Vice President for Durham & Community Affairs (DCA) and the Executive Vice President (EVP), the newest AVP at Duke University will be well-positioned to lead pivotal projects that influence community investment and positively impact economic mobility across the Duke and Durham, NC communities. Building upon the University’s decades-long foundation of intentional and collaborative community engagement, the AVP will bring together a staff of six from DCA with support from the EVP office to expand and deepen internal and external relationships that facilitate meaningful, enduring economic opportunity.
Tracing its origins to 1838, Duke University has evolved into one of the world's leading institutions for education, research, and patient care. Located in Durham, North Carolina, in the heart of the Research Triangle, Duke is comprised of two major organizations: Duke University and Duke University Health System. Duke has been named as a best place to work by several publications and organizations and is the second largest private employer in North Carolina, with over 43,000 employees. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools.
A key collaborator across both Duke University and its health system, the AVP will serve as a highly visible and accessible point of contact for the university and Durham communities and influence community investment decisions. The AVP will forge new internal and external partnerships across Duke and Durham’s highly decentralized environments while keeping DCA’s affordable housing, economic, and talent development goals at the forefront. A collaborative and inclusive leader, the AVP will guide DCA in transparently facilitating, developing, and communicating new programs and initiatives with reciprocity and equity.
The new Associate Vice President for Economic Development must have a personal commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, demonstrated through inclusive and culturally aware actions, interactions, and communications with others. The successful candidate should have a bachelor’s degree and either an advanced degree in business administration, public administration, public policy, or a related area. Alternatively, candidates with a minimum of ten years of relevant experience and a bachelor’s degree will also be considered. Knowledge of and experience developing affordable housing and workforce development programs are optimal backgrounds for the Associate Vice President.