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 Large Employers in 2023.

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.

Posted Job Title

Director Communications (Department of Emergency Medicine)

Job Profile Title

Director, Communications

Job Description Summary

The Communications Director is a unique opportunity to help devise and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that promotes the vision, builds the reputation, and expands the impact of the newly formed Center for Health Justice (CHJ), whose vision is to achieve health through racial, economic, and environmental justice for Black, Brown, and other people and neighborhoods harmed by structural inequities. The Center sits within the Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation (CHTI) and has two focus areas – transformation of health systems operations (Health Justice Transformation) and rigorous research and community action (Urban Health Lab).The Communications Director will work closely with the CHJ Director, Nicole Thomas, and will be responsible for creating internal and external messaging to various audiences, strategic planning, project management, benchmarking analysis and reports, and graphic design, photography, videography, writing, and copy editing.

The ideal candidate (1) is passionate about the health and wellbeing of Black and Brown and other marginalized people and communities, (2) has experience developing and leading multifaceted communications strategies, (3) is a proven communications professional with strong organizational, time management, and engagement skills, and (4) has excellent writing, editing, and graphic design skills.

The Communications Director will have the following responsibilities:
1.Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the CHJ leadership team and other communications teams to create and lead the execution of a comprehensive communications strategy including defining goals, audiences, tactics, tools, and metrics.
2.General Content Development: Write copy, create content, design, and manage the distribution of CHJ newsletters, annual reports, special reports, and promotional pieces. Create high-quality content and materials for CHJ research, health system operations transformation, and community action projects.
3.Graphic Design: Design layout and graphics, and compose and/or edit copy for a variety of communications collateral including infographics, presentations, and flyers for outreach, development, recruitment, programs, and events.
4.Social Media Management: Develop and lead the implementation of CHJ’s social media plan across multiple platforms including creating original content, monitoring and increasing engagement, and managing the calendar.
5.Website Management: Enhance and manage the CHJ web pages to improve design, enhance the user experience, and effectively communicate the essence and impact of the Center for Health Justice.
6.Reputation Building: Identify innovative strategies to amplify messaging, build the reputation, and increase engagement with various audiences.
7.Writing: Edit, proofread, polish, and assist with writing manuscripts, opinion pieces, and grants.
8.Benchmarking and Reports: Collect and analyze defined metrics to evaluate success of new communications deliverables.
Use data to assist in the creation of strategies and plans.
9.Communicate regularly with CHJ leadership about progress, issues, innovations, and solutions to advance the mission and objectives.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the CHJ leadership team and other communications teams to create and lead the execution of a comprehensive communications strategy including defining goals, audiences, tactics, tools, and metrics.
• General Content Development: Write copy, create content, design, and manage the distribution of CHJ newsletters, annual reports, special reports, and promotional pieces. Create high-quality content and materials for CHJ research, health system operations transformation, and community action projects.
• Graphic Design: Design layout and graphics, and compose and/or edit copy for a variety of communications collateral including infographics, presentations, and flyers for outreach, development, recruitment, programs, and events.
• Social Media Management: Develop and lead the implementation of CHJ’s social media plan across multiple platforms including creating original content, monitoring and increasing engagement, and managing the calendar.
• Website Management: Enhance and manage the CHJ web pages to improve design, enhance the user experience, and effectively communicate the essence and impact of the Center for Health Justice.
• Reputation Building: Identify innovative strategies to amplify messaging, build the reputation, and increase engagement with various audiences.
• Writing: Edit, proofread, polish, and assist with writing manuscripts, opinion pieces, and grants.
• Benchmarking and Reports: Collect and analyze defined metrics to evaluate success of new communications deliverables. Use data to assist in the creation of strategies and plans.
• Communicate regularly with CHJ leadership about progress, issues, innovations, and solutions to advance the mission and objectives.

Position contingent upon funding.

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 - $95,000.00 Annual RateSalary 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.

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