Job Details

Chief of Staff/Director, Communications

Position Number: 6247271
Location: Washington, DC
Position Type: Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

Chief of Staff/Director, Communications

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
Chief of Staff/Director, Communications

Job Profile Title
Director, School/Center Public Relations

Job Description Summary
Penn Washington is an academic initiative that expresses the education, research, and service mission of the University of Pennsylvania. We are Penn's physical and programmatic home in our nation's capital, bringing together experts, senior scholars, faculty, and the Penn academic community to contribute to our priorities to strengthen ties between federal and global policymakers and the Penn academic community, promote opportunities for Penn scholarship to impact policy, expand DC-focused educational and academic programs, and reinforce the essential contributions that Penn can make to the structure and function of democracy and global affairs.

The Chief of Staff/Director, Communications will serve as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to the Executive Director of Penn Washington, playing a central role in driving the execution of the initiative's mission and priorities. In this role, you will oversee day-to-day operations, coordinate cross-functional initiatives, manage key stakeholder relationships, and lead internal and external communications. This role ensures alignment across academic, research, and administrative functions while amplifying Penn Washington's visibility and impact on domestic and international policy conversations.

As Director, Communications, you will work closely with Penn Washington's Director of Global Policy Programs and Director of Domestic Policy Programs to drive overall outreach, strategic engagement, and reputation-building institutional communications strategy, including digital and social media. The Director will help shape and steward the process of content generation (by Penn faculty, visitors, and others), including dissemination to, and engagement with, key policy audiences in the U.S. and abroad. The Director will be responsive to internal stakeholders and colleagues while providing strategic focus and consistency across the organization for defining and elevating Penn Washington's profile and impact. The Director will work to raise broader awareness and engagement of our contributions among target audiences, including policymakers, students, faculty, donors, peer academic and think tank institutions, alumni, etc.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Serve as the principal advisor to the Executive Director, providing strategic counsel and managing the execution of high-priority initiatives. Oversee daily operations and ensure timely follow-through on strategic goals, initiatives, and action items. Ensure timely accurate delivery of final products and drive process improvement and operational excellence across Penn Washington's programs and initiatives. Lead the preparation of presentations, briefings, and written materials for university leadership, board members, stakeholders, policymakers, and external partners. Manage the planning and execution of key events, conferences, and public engagements. Draft and produce the Annual Report. Represent Penn Washington at internal and external meetings, as appropriate.
Coordinate communications strategy for Penn Washington, including media relations, website content, speeches, newsletters, reports, and social media. Build and use pre-existing relationships with national and international media to expand Penn Washington's reach and influence. Envision, articulate, and implement a strategic, long-term communications plan and develop metrics for measuring effectiveness. Maintain brand and messaging consistency, advancement of brand awareness, and visibility of efforts with our various constituencies and stakeholders across platforms and various media. Leverage data and analytics to drive strategy. Track analytics to ensure digital content engages target audiences. Direct management of social media platforms. Manage external and vendor relationships related to communications and marketing.
Work in partnership with Penn Washington leadership to develop, lead, and manage strategic partnership-building, including partnership identification, outreach, maintenance, and expansion with a specialized focus on policy-oriented entities. Be an internal resource to affiliated faculty, staff, and visitors to shape, market/pitch, and place their policy-relevant writing to reach new policy audiences, decision-makers, and outlets with their ideas on global policy.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years of experience leading successful strategic communications efforts, or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required; Master's degree and 7 to 10 years of experience preferred.
7+ years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, operations, executive advising, or administration, ideally in a university, policy, government, or nonprofit environment.
5+ years of experience with complex, cross-functional project management; preferably working across stakeholders from both internal and external organizations.
Demonstrated experience serving as a thought partner or advisor to senior leadership and managing high-stakes, cross-functional initiatives.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting communications on behalf of senior leadership.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, policymakers, and external partners.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, anticipate issues, and develop practical, strategic solutions.
Strong competency across the entire scope of strategic integrated communications, including external communications, executive communications, thought leadership, stakeholder strategic engagement, etc., with a demonstrated commitment to and interest in global and/or domestic policy.
Pre-existing relationships with national and international media and experience proactively building and sustaining media relationships, including shaping opportunities and positioning content to achieve high-impact placements preferred.
Must be an exceptional and quick writer and editor, and an excellent team player who prioritizes communication and building, fostering, and nurturing relationships within Penn Washington, across the University, and with external stakeholders. Ability to think strategically and creatively while working in a fast-paced environment.
Desire to thrive in a global and multicultural environment, with strong cultural competencies and ability to effectively communicate to a diverse, global audience.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Job Location - City, State
Washington, District of Columbia

Department / School
Penn Global

Pay Range
$91,000.00 - $126,500.00 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/101-Constitution-Avenue-NW/Chief-of-Staff-Director--Communications_JR00106603