Executive Director, Communications and Stewardship, Penn Medicine
About The Position
The Executive Director of Communications and Stewardship provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Communications and Stewardship team for Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations (PMDAR). The role establishes the vision, strategy, and priorities for an integrated, multidisciplinary communications function supporting Leadership Communications, Alumni Relations, UPHS Clinical Care, Abramson Cancer Center, Campaign Initiatives, Biomedical Research, and Operations. The Executive Director leads planning and implementation of communications, marketing strategies, and stewardship in support of Penn Medicine’s fundraising goals. The position manages a staff of 20, including eight direct reports and one dotted-line report. The team’s work includes proposal writing for major and principal gifts, editing, publications, acknowledgements and other correspondence, remarks, newsletters, digital media, council communications, leadership messaging, and other media as requested. The role reports to the Senior Executive Director, Communications & External Affairs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field; or a Master of Science or Master of Arts and 5 to 7 years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong background in managing a team.
- Excellent writing and editing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects under deadline.
- Ability to develop strong relationships with a wide range of constituencies within and outside Penn Medicine.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in an academic or healthcare institution is strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and manage PMDAR-wide development communications, stewardship, and digital media efforts across Leadership Communications, Alumni Relations, UPHS Clinical Care, Abramson Cancer Center, Campaign Initiatives, Biomedical Research, and Operations.
- Set goals and best practices, respond to ongoing requests, and develop strategy and long-term plans that adapt the department to PMDAR’s changing needs.
- Guide career development for the communications and stewardship team.
- Direct workflow and priorities for communications team members.
- Oversee activity tracking, metrics, and qualitative and quantitative analytics to assess program success.
- Lead Penn Medicine’s comprehensive stewardship program and review and approve materials as needed.
- Collaborate with DAR Communications, UPHS Marketing, PR, and other teams to support internal communications and stewardship programs and align PMDAR strategy.
- Advise senior PMDAR leaders on strategic communications, leadership messaging, and sensitive or emerging issues.
- Lead special communications projects and initiatives in response to requests from the CAO and other University and Penn Medicine leadership.
- Provide scheduled updates directly to the CAO.
- Oversee the budget and communications calendar of deliverables.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
- Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
- Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children, including dependent-child tuition assistance at other institutions.
- Basic, matching, and supplemental retirement plans, with pre-tax and Roth savings options and investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
- A substantial amount of time away from work during the year.
- Long-term care insurance for eligible employees and family members.
- Wellness and work-life programs and resources.
- Professional and personal development resources.
- Access to University resources, including libraries, athletic facilities, cultural activities, and recreational activities.
- Discounts and special services, including arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, goods, and services.
- Flexible work options involving non-traditional work hours, locations, or job structures.
- Forgivable home-ownership loan for eligible employees buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia.
- Adoption assistance reimbursement for eligible expenses, for up to two adoptions in a household.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
