Director, Communications (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

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 Employers By State in 2021.

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.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn’s vaccine requirements, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information. 

Posted Job Title

Director, Communications (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Job Profile Title

Director, Communications

Job Description Summary

Responsible for providing proactive leadership in the development and implementation of all communications strategies, policies, and practices across the school/center. The director will lead, promote, and steward the school’s mission, teaching, and research through a variety of media, publications, and specific public relations strategies.
Reporting to and working collaboratively with the department Chair, the Director of Communications and Project Management is a member of the senior management team who is responsible for a broad and diverse scope of activities within the department. Activities include but are not limited to working with the Chair and executive management to define project priorities and implement plans that support the department’s day-to-day operations and strategic goals of achieving health equity; improving health outcomes across the life course; growing the pipeline of exceptional clinicians, educators and researchers; expanding knowledge; embracing a culture of respect; and elevating women’s health
This position plays a crucial role in driving operational process improvements for departmental communications, identifying new areas of focus, and developing strategies for communicating key departmental initiatives to the workforce and select external audiences. This includes strategic management of relevant digital platforms, including the website and social media channels. This position is also responsible for overseeing the efficient daily operations of the administrative office team. Responsibilities will include managing both short and long-term priorities and special projects requiring the ability to lead and deliver on a diverse portfolio of assignments. This position is responsible, overall, to supporting the departmental initiatives and Chair’s priorities, requiring him/her to execute work at the highest level of the organization.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Design, develop, write, and/or publish internal and external publications such as publicly facing content (e.g., social media, website), press releases, promotional publications, infographics, video, publications that support school events, and special projects that appeal to community audiences, media outlets, funders and other relevant audiences
• Develop and execute a communication strategy that employs both traditional and new media to meet identified communications objectives. Direct the implementation of a communications plan designed to deepen awareness and understanding of the research and other work produced by the school’s faculty, students, research centers, and working groups. Work with key internal and external stakeholders to achieve the identified goals
• Develop, oversee, and direct communications, marketing, and branding initiatives, strategies, and campaigns that consistently communicate branding to internal and external audiences. Oversee and direct strategies for optimizing the school’s website, use of social media, and other innovative marketing tool
• Foster innovation by incorporating new, improved, or different methods, processes, or services to meet the needs of the faculty and other school constituencies. Analyze and assess the effectiveness of communications strategies and mechanisms
• Perform proactive media outreach in order to arrange interviews, publish articles, etc. Develop and maintain relationships with international, national, regional and local news media
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$74,476.00 – $117,086.00

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.

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