Job Details

University of Pennsylvania
  • Position Number: 7191149
  • Location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Position Type: Development and Fund Raising


Senior Director of Development Communications, Penn Medicine

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
Senior Director of Development Communications, Penn Medicine

Job Profile Title
Director D, Business and Finance, Communications and Marketing

Job Description Summary
The Senior Director of Development Communications will be the principal development communications professional and a source of high-level strategic support for the Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine/ Executive Vice President (EVP) for the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System.

Serving as a key liaison between Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations (PMDAR) and the Office of the Dean/EVP, this role is 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.

Job Description

Job 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.


**Please provide a resume and cover letter in order to be considered for this role. Please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of the application prior to submitting.**

Qualifications
  • 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. Advanced degree preferred.
  • 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.


Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Development and Alumni Relations

Pay Range
$135,327.00 - $165,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be 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


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.



To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/3535-Market/Senior-Director-of-Development-Communications--Penn-Medicine_JR00120530-1









Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency


jeid-393dd8484d6f3549be2e8010a5531509