Director of Web and Creative Services
About The Position
University Communications is the strategic voice and steward of Penn’s reputation, sharing the University’s values, priorities, and achievements with internal and external audiences. We tell Penn’s stories through media relations, digital & social channels, newsletters, and other communications outlets. We advise senior leadership on messaging, crisis response, and reputation management while partnering with Penn’s twelve schools, academic centers, and administrative departments to highlight research, teaching, campus life, and Penn’s broader impact. We seek to ensure a consistent voice, foster meaningful engagement with key audiences, and strengthen the University’s reputation through innovative storytelling, brand coherence, and data-informed strategy. The Director of Web and Creative Services provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for University Communications’ digital presence, including Penn’s flagship website (UPenn.edu), Penn Today, and digital creative production. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Communications, this role leads a cross-functional team of nine and serves as a member of the senior management team. The Director oversees web strategy, design, and technical standards, web development, and digital creative production to elevate the University’s reputation, engagement, and storytelling across platforms. This role also ensures that digital platforms and creative outputs align with the University’s mission, strategic priorities, and brand standards.
Requirements
- Proven leadership building and managing cross-functional creative, digital, and technical teams in complex, high-visibility environments.
- Demonstrated experience building and managing complex brand and communications platforms.
- Strong foundation in marketing and digital content strategy.
- Deep understanding of brand management, governance, and consistency across channels.
- Working knowledge of web design, UX, accessibility standards, and effective collaboration with development teams.
- Experience with modern web platforms and delivering scalable, media-rich digital experiences.
- Data-driven mindset with proficiency in analytics, performance metrics, and leveraging AI to optimize workflows, innovation, and output quality.
- Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organization.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
Nice To Haves
- Professional certifications and training in digital, web, and technology preferred.
Responsibilities
- Drive the modernization and unification of Penn’s digital presence across a highly decentralized environment to improve user experience, consistency, and impact.
- Lead adoption and integration of AI tools across the department.
- Align digital innovation and creative direction with University Communications news and storytelling priorities.
- Advise department leadership and other core campus partners on web, digital, and brand strategy.
- Lead the redesign and next iteration of UPenn.edu, reflecting evolving user behavior, AI, and digital trends.
- Oversee the development, improvement, and maintenance of over 30 websites, including University’s primary website, UPenn.edu, University Communications’ signature news platform Penn Today, President’s Center websites, special initiative websites, and email newsletters, ensuring a cohesive, user-centered experience.
- Serve on the department’s crisis management team working closely with Penn’s Department of Public Safety on website updates during emergencies.
- Direct the web development function, including the Director of Web Development and web developers to set timelines and goals for Drupal engineering, web development, security, and continuous improvement.
- Provide oversight to web management staff on designing and maintaining websites, content updates, accessibility, and technical standards.
- Collaborate with Penn’s Information and Systems Computing on overlapping needs, site deployment, and Pantheon platform.
- Serve as the point of contact for vendor sourcing and managing outside web consultants and web designers for major web redesigns.
- Analyze web traffic and engagement to inform strategy; monitor and optimize SEO and AI-powered search efforts.
- Implement data-driven improvements to web content, UX, and digital campaigns.
- Provide strategic leadership for a team of videographers and photographers, shaping compelling visual storytelling that advances the University’s brand and reputation.
- Oversee resource planning, including managing contractors, budgeting, and equipment to support high-quality production.
- Set priorities and guide the development of high-impact creative projects, ensuring alignment with institutional messaging and communications goals.
- Collaborate closely with news, social media, and digital teams to develop integrated, cross-platform content that amplifies University stories and engagement.
- Guide brand standards across the University, including digital and creative outputs.
- Oversee logo review, web standards, and the development and maintenance of the University style guide.
Benefits
- 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
- Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
- Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care expenses
- Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
- Retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with TIAA and Vanguard
- Substantial time away from work (vacations, personal affairs, illness/injury recovery, family time)
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Wellness and Work-life Resources
- Professional and Personal Development resources
- Access to University resources, cultural and recreational activities (libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries)
- Discounts and Special Services (arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, new cars, cellular phone service, movie tickets, theme parks)
- Flexible Work Hours
- Penn Home Ownership Services (forgivable loan for eligible employees)
- Adoption Assistance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
