Senior Director of Development Communications, Penn Medicine
About The Position
The Senior Director of Development Communications will be the principal development communications professional and a key strategic support for the Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine/Executive Vice President (EVP) for the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System. This role serves as a liaison between Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations (PMDAR) and the Office of the Dean/EVP, responsible for shaping and advancing the Dean/EVP’s voice in development communications and ensuring alignment between Penn Medicine priorities and philanthropic messaging. The Senior Director will report to Penn Medicine’s Chief Advancement Officer and will oversee all aspects of the Dean/EVP's written and verbal remarks and presentations for both internal and external audiences. Working closely with the Dean/EVP’s Chief of Staff and PMDAR leadership, the Senior Director will develop communications that articulate the Dean/EVP’s strategic vision and support Penn Medicine’s philanthropic priorities. This role will partner with teams across Penn Medicine, including Marketing and Communications, Government and Community Relations, and the UPHS CEO’s communications team, to ensure consistent messaging across Penn Medicine. This position will lead a range of complex and multi-layered priorities, projects and initiatives that will require a skilled approach to project management, relationship management and strategic operations support. This role will support the Dean/EVP’s Chief of Staff.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- 7 to 10 years or Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- A proven track record in executive communications.
- Experience in a university, academic health center, health system, or similar complex mission-driven organization required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to rapidly develop fluency in topical news and culture.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and manage multiple priorities.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to anticipate and manage issues and needs, such as handling a high volume of requests, prioritizing urgent tasks, and adhering to strict deadlines
- Maintain confidentiality, ensuring all drafted materials remain secure and private.
- Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive matters in an appropriate manner.
- Must be willing to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary writer for the Dean/EVP’s speeches, remarks, talking points, and other leadership communications (such as presentation creation) for donor events and external engagements.
- Provide advice, counsel, collaboration, and operational support to the Dean/EVP, Chief of Staff, and Chief Advancement Officer on priorities of the Dean/EVP related to long-range planning, new developments, local and national issues, key projects and trends impacting Penn Medicine, issues management, crisis communications and stakeholder relations.
- Partner on communications (as applicable) for Vice Deans and other Penn Medicine leadership, which will include editing and refining material to polish the final product (and provide a unified voice).
- Conduct in-depth research by gathering facts, statistics, historical references, and anecdotal evidence to support the writing assignment.
- Act as a liaison between the Dean/EVP’s Office and PMDAR and work to shape the leadership voice of the Dean/EVP’s Office in development of communications and ensure alignment between leadership priorities and philanthropic messaging.
- Translate institutional priorities into compelling narratives that support development initiatives and principal gift strategy.
- Coordinate with Penn Medicine Marketing & Communications, Government and Community Relations, and the CEO’s communications team to ensure cohesive institutional messaging.
- Advise on communications strategy across channels, including social media and public-facing communications.
- Manage complex communications projects supporting development and leadership initiatives.
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 eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
- Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
- Retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with pre-tax or Roth basis options
- Wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard
- 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 as well as cultural and recreational activities
- 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
