Director of Communications

Director of 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 Employers By State in 2021.

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.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements and the use of Penn Open Pass, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title
Director of Communications

Job Profile Title
Director, Communications

Job Description Summary
The Director of Communications will have primary responsibility for driving overall outreach, engagement, and reputation building institutional communications strategy, by translating and leveraging Perry World House's research and other outputs into accessible policy-relevant content with the power to shape current policy debates in global affairs, particularly related to Perry World House's two priority research themes (Global Shifts: Urbanization, Migration, and Demography and the Future of the Global Order: Power, Technology, and Governance).

The Director will help shape and steward the process and content generation (from faculty, visitors, and others), including dissemination to, and engagement with, key policy audiences in the U.S. and abroad.

The Communications Director will supervise two communications staff and potentially external consultants and build strategic partnerships with other communications team and select senior communications staff of partners and stakeholders, within the University and outside of it. The Communications Director will be responsive to internal stakeholders/colleagues while providing focus and consistency across the organization for defining and elevating Perry World House's profile and raising broader awareness and engagement of our contributions among target audiences, including policy makers, students, donors, peer academic and think tank institutions, and alumni.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

This position is primarily responsible for translating and leveraging PWH's research and other outputs into accessible policy-relevant content with the power to shape current policy debates related to Perry World House's two priority research themes (Global Shifts: Urbanization, Migration, and Demography and the Future of the Global Order: Power, Technology, and Governance) and to grow Perry World House's reputation across various fields.

The position will be responsible for developing and executing multi-platform communications strategies to build awareness and amplify the work and reputation of PWH with various stakeholders, within and outside of the University.

This position will have responsibility for envisioning, articulating, and implementing PWH's communications strategy, including the development and continued evaluation and refining of a strategic plan, as well as creating and driving content production, by identifying research and collaborative opportunities, bringing written and other products to completion, and creatively packaging Perry World House's thought leadership.

Through both strategic communications execution, the Director of Communications is additionally responsible for increasing Perry World House's visibility and the impact of its ideas among our various stakeholders, particularly in the global policy and think tank worlds, and among peer institutions and popular outlets. The Director of Communications will have management responsibility for Perry World House's website, social media, and all digital, print, and audio visual communications (ranging from Perry World House's annual report to periodic newsletters to white papers to briefs to podcasts to press releases to the weekly events digest.) The Communications Director will serve as the main press contact for Perry World House.

Qualifications:
  • A Master's Degree or more and 8 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and professional work experience is required with a commitment to global policy influence.
  • 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;
  • Must be a strong writer and editor and an excellent team player who prioritizes communication and building, fostering, and nurturing relationships within PWH, across the University, and with external stakeholders.
  • Ability to think strategically and creatively while working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Exceptional at multi-tasking, follow-through, and problem-solving skills.
  • A demonstrated ability to develop, coach, and create focus and clarity in your team, communicate on an ongoing basis to provide leadership and vision.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and lead a high-performing team with competing priorities; thrives in big picture possibility and strategy while focusing on the details needed for high-quality execution.
  • Proficiency in all digital platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google/YouTube, and a passion for emerging platforms.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills
  • Desire to thrive in a global and multi-cultural environment.


Please submit a Cover Letter to be considered for this opportunity.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Penn Global

Pay Range
$72,837.00 - $138,391.00

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

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Perry-World-House/Director-of-Communications_JR00036370

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