Director of Communications and Special Projects

University Overview

The 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 Title

Director of Communications and Special Projects

Job Profile Title

Director D, Arts and Media, Communications and Marketing

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL), the Director of Communications leads the development and execution of a comprehensive communication plan for University Life. The Director collaborates closely with the University Leadership team (which includes the Associate & Assistant Vice Provosts for University Life) and the department directors to ensure our divisional goals are met, working in particular with the Assistant Vice Provost for Strategic Planning and Operations to help the division realize its mission and goals.
The Director leads communicating the University Life’s vision for student life and integrating the efforts of the division’s 15+ departments and 130+ staff members into a cohesive approach. The Director supports the Vice Provost’s communications to internal and external constituencies as well as lead special projects and priorities set by the VPUL.
The Director supports work related to strategic planning and change management, divisional messaging and communications, and media relations. The Director is a member of the University Life leadership team.
University Life supports undergraduate, graduate, and professional students engaging in academic, artistic, civic, cultural, and pre-professional experiences. The division is deeply committed to its guiding principles which facilitate the student experience: cultivating a life of meaning and purpose; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; a culture of care and support; and organizational effectiveness.
Candidates must have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, and strong attention to detail. Strong problem-solving skills and time management skills are required. Excellent adaptability, cultural competence, and an ability to work with many different types of individuals within an organization that values diversity are
required.
Candidates must be effective decision-makers with the ability to manage competing priorities. They must be able to analyze and interpret data to solve problems and to provide effective communication across all stakeholders (internal and external).

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Represent the Vice Provost and/or the University Life organization on high-level matters involving policy, practice, and crisis prevention/response. Serve as a key collaborator with campus partners in the exchange of essential information about issues concerning students, alumni, faculty, staff,families, and community members. Maintain and strengthen relationships with key colleagues in the President’s Office, Provost’s Center, University Communications, the Office of the General Counsel, the Division of Public Safety, Development and Alumni Relations, the Office of the Secretary, Wellness at Penn, the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics, Schools, and other internal and external partners. Be on-call for any emergent matter.
• Facilitate strategic planning, assessment, and professional development initiatives for the University Life organization. Coordinate agenda and scope of University Life AVP meetings, directors’ meetings, and division meetings in alignment with divisional priorities. In partnership with senior leadership team of University Life, develop impact/annual report of divisional strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with University Communications on the dissemination of strategic and crisis communications to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and families. Prepare, write, and distribute press releases, handle media queries and nurture content placement under the direction of the University Life leadership team and the guidance of the Executive Director of Communications in the Office of the Provost.
• Oversees special projects assigned by the VPUL that integrate the different functions of University Life or focus on emerging issues that impact the student community.
• Coordinate content development and prepare presentations for various meetings, including, but not limited to, the Trustee Student Life meetings, committees, and working groups.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Master’s degree and 7 to 10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required. Candidates must have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, and strong attention to detail. Strong problem-solving skills and time management skills are required. Excellent adaptability, cultural competence, and an ability to work with many different types of individuals within an organization that values diversity are required.

Candidates must be effective decision-makers with the ability to manage competing priorities. They must be able to analyze and interpret data to solve problems and to provide effective communication across all stakeholders (internal and external). Candidates should preferably have experience working in higher education.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.  

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Student Services

Pay Range

$90,860.00 – $144,600.00 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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