Job Description:

University OverviewThe University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job TitleAssistant Director of Communications

Job Profile TitleAssociate Director D, Arts and Media

Job Description SummaryThe Office of the President at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a highly skilled writer and superb team player to support the communications needs of the President in close collaboration with office colleagues and campus partners.


Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Assistant Director will draft speeches and other communications to help advance and amplify the President's voice and strategic vision. They will also cultivate a deep understanding and appreciation for Penn, which is vital to supporting the President in communications to faculty, students, staff, trustees, alumni, donors, and other key constituents. As part of the Communications team, the Assistant Director will also collaborate closely with campus partners and senior leaders to align messaging around strategic priorities. The successful candidate will energetically and proactively forge professional relationships within and beyond the Office of the President as well as bring a productive, positive, and curious perspective to assignments, challenges, and opportunities.

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

• Conceive, create, research, and edit a high volume of imaginative, substantive, and compelling presidential speeches, lectures, columns, essays, articles, presentations, correspondence, and related communications.


• Proactively partner with the Director of Communications and other President's Office colleagues to support the goals of the Office, with research, editing, and consultation across a wide range of campus offices and individual partners.


• Support University leadership in advancing Penn's strategic framework, In Principle and Practice; proactively collaborate with University Communications and Development and Alumni Relations.


• Communicate messages in a clear and consistent voice to a variety of audiences and constituencies in diverse settings.


• Work with Office colleagues to help shape emerging priorities and inform processes and practices.


• Serve as President's Office representative and liaison on collaborative writing projects with other University offices.


• Ensure accurate, proper and timely flow of information to and from President's Office in support of recurring and special projects.


• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts required, advanced degree preferred, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in communication, journalism, or publishing is required.


• Superb writing, editing, and oral communication skills are essential, particularly the ability to write top-quality prose in a fast-paced environment. Experience as a high-level speechwriter is strongly preferred. Capability to learn the President's "voice."


• Ability to engage with executive-level administrators, external stakeholders, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and other University stakeholders in a highly productive and positive professional manner.


• A strong work ethic, an unwavering commitment to integrity, and a strict adherence to maintaining confidentiality.


• A proven track record in project management (including the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects).


• Respect for and ability to navigate a broadly diverse higher education community that prioritizes inclusion and opportunity for people from all backgrounds.


• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with cross-functional teams.


• Knowledge of higher education, particularly research universities.

Salary is commensurate with experience. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $90K - $113K.

Special Instructions

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and three original professional writing samples, each not exceeding 3 pages in length, and include a short summary of the purpose and audience for each.

Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / SchoolPresident's Center

Pay Range$61,046.00 - $113,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

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  Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

  
  


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  Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

  
  


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  Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

  
  


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  Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.

  
  


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  Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

  
  


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  Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

  
  


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  Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

  
  


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  University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

  
  


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  Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

  
  


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  Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

  
  


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  Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

  
  


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  Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

  
  

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

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