Executive Director, Strategic Communications
About The Position
The Executive Director (ED) of Communications is the senior communications leader for the Office of the Executive Vice President (EVP) and its nine divisions. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the ED is responsible for designing, building, and leading a newly integrated communications organization that supports the University's administrative enterprise. The Executive Director develops and executes a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the organization's strategic priorities, brand, and stakeholder needs while leading a high-performing communications team. Serving as the principal communications advisor to the Executive Vice President and Vice Presidents across administrative divisions, the Executive Director leads the strategic communications function, shaping executive messaging, media relations, reputation management, marketing, and change communications in support of divisional and institutional priorities. The role develops and executes an integrated communications strategy that strengthens stakeholder trust, advances strategic initiatives, and elevates the visibility and impact of the University's administrative enterprise. The Executive Director partners closely with University Communications and leaders across the institution to ensure coordinated, consistent messaging and alignment and provide trusted counsel on high-profile institution-wide initiatives, emerging issues, and reputational matters.
Requirements
- Master's degree plus 7 – 10 years of progressively responsible communications leadership experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated success advising senior executives and leading strategic, executive, media, crisis, digital, and change communications.
- Experience building and leading teams, managing budgets, and overseeing vendor relationships.
- Exceptional writing, editing, project management, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated judgment, professionalism, and experience navigating complex organizational environments and advising senior leaders.
Nice To Haves
- Organizational design and change management, with experience standing up or restructuring an organization or function.
- Sound judgment in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Executive presence and the ability to counsel senior leaders under pressure or on sensitive issues.
- Crisis and issues management.
- Talent development and team building across disciplines.
- Data-informed decision making and use of metrics to guide strategy.
- Vendor management.
Responsibilities
- Build and operationalize a newly integrated communications organization serving the EVP Office and its divisions, establishing the vision, governance, operating model, and communications standards for the function.
- Align communications resources, processes, and priorities to deliver integrated, strategic communications that support the organization's goals and stakeholders.
- Establish service delivery models that balance enterprise initiatives with divisional needs across the EVP organization.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that advances the organization's strategic priorities, strengthens its brand, engages key stakeholders, and ensures consistent internal and external messaging across the administrative enterprise.
- Advise the Executive Vice President and divisional leaders on executive communications, strategic messaging, reputation management, organizational change, and emerging issues.
- Oversee executive communications, including speeches, presentations, talking points, leadership messaging, and thought leadership.
- Coordinate communications across the EVP divisions and partner closely with University Communications and other key stakeholders on media relations and issues requiring a coordinated approach.
- Lead proactive and reactive media relations and crisis communications for the organization.
- Advance the organization’s visibility, reputation, and impact through strategic communications, marketing, and issues management.
- Oversee integrated storytelling and content strategy across websites, newsletters, executive communications, intranet/extranet, social media, video, print, and other digital channels.
- Identify and implement emerging communications tools, technologies, and practices that strengthen organizational effectiveness.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the communications team, supporting nine divisions across all communications functions.
- Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and effective change management.
- Manage the communications budget, vendors, and major communications initiatives.
- Establish performance metrics and use data to evaluate impact and continuously improve communications strategy, channels, and outcomes.
Benefits
- Excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families
- Generous retirement benefits
- Wide variety of professional development opportunities
- Supportive work and family benefits
- Wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
- Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
- Flexible spending accounts
- Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
- Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental)
- Substantial amount of time away from work
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Wellness and Work-life Resources
- Professional and Personal Development resources
- Access to a wide range of University resources, cultural and recreational activities
- Discounts on goods and services
- Flexible Work Hours
- Penn Home Ownership Services
- Adoption Assistance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
