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

Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Job Profile Title

Executive Director A, Business and Finance

Job Description Summary

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.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership

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.

Strategy and Executive Communications

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.

Media Relations, Marketing, and Content Strategy

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.

Team Leadership and Operations

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.

Qualifications:

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.

Skills and Competencies

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.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

About The Office of the Executive Vice President:

The Office of the Executive Vice President provides strategic leadership and oversight for the University's business, financial, operational, and administrative functions through nine divisions: Audit, Compliance and Privacy; Budget Planning and Analysis; Business Services; Facilities and Real Estate Services; Finance; Human Resources; Information Systems and Computing; Investments; and Public Safety.

The EVP portfolio encompasses diverse communications needs, including executive and Board communications, regulatory reporting, employee engagement, organizational change, operation communications, media relations, marketing, public affairs, and student-facing communications. Supporting this breadth requires the Executive Director to build a flexible, integrated communications function capable of tailoring strategies to the unique needs of each division while ensuring consistent messaging across the University’s administrative enterprise.

To learn more, visit us at: https://www.evp.upenn.edu/

Department / School

Executive Vice President

Pay Range

$167,379.00 - $200,000.00 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