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 Engagement Communications Specialist
Job Profile Title
Staff Writer D
Job Description Summary
The Senior Engagement Communications Specialist performs as a conceptual thinker, writer, and project manager to advance the University’s mission and goals, specifically supporting Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) special event program development. This individual contributes big-picture creative vision, granular-level planning, and timely hands-on execution for an evolving portfolio of event-related communications projects, typically working directly with senior staff, academic leadership, and occasionally with the President. This role will develop event programs for the Academy (the University’s highest level donor recognition group), Presidential all-constituent engagement events regionally and internationally, and various other central DAR development and alumni relations strategic events for both broad and targeted audiences. When the University is in a Campaign, this individual will participate in designing and implementing campaign event programming.
The Senior Engagement Communications Specialist will be a member of the DAR Marketing and Communications (DARMAX) team. Their work will involve a high level of collaboration with other colleagues in DARMAX, members of the Programs and Special Events team, Donor Relations, other DAR units, and the President’s Office as appropriate to conceptualize high visibility in-person and virtual alumni and donor engagement event programs. This individual will manage the process to propose event programming to DAR and University Leadership for approval. They will then lead the development of approved event program components, including identifying, engaging, and preparing faculty or other speakers, developing visual presentation materials (typically in PowerPoint), and writing remarks. This role occasionally participates in video concepting and script writing, attending filming of interviews to support the creative process for engagement videos, which may be played as part of event programs. The Senior Engagement Communications Specialist will also attend key regional all-constituent events to staff program speakers and assess program success from a strategic communications perspective.
This position will serve as a trusted senior communicator who may occasionally be called upon to work with DAR colleagues on high priority communications projects beyond this event-related portfolio.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
- Working closely with colleagues in Programs and Special Events, DARMAX, Alumni Relations, other DAR units, and the Office of the President, lead creative thinking, planning, and execution of live programs for alumni and donor events, including but not limited to events to engage members of the Academy, and all-constituent/all-alumni regional and virtual events.
- Produce unique and compelling remarks, conversation prompts, PowerPoint presentations and accompanying scripts, and other communications assets as needed for University leaders, DAR leaders, and volunteer alumni leaders to present at high visibility events.
- Contribute conceptual, strategic thinking to the development of DAR videos to be shown at events and for other purposes to support fundraising and engagement.
- Engage and manage relationships with key faculty to prepare and support them as speakers for DAR events. This may include partnering with and managing a vendor relationship with an external speaker preparation service provider.
- Attend 4-8 regional events annually to staff faculty speakers and oversee program delivery from a strategic communications perspective.
- Consistently deliver high quality deliverables within budget and in accordance with the University’s established fiscal procedures while working in a demanding, deadline-driven, multi-stakeholder environment.
- Interact comfortably and effectively both virtually and in person with DAR leadership, University leadership, faculty members, philanthropists, high level volunteers, and other alumni and University friends at events.
- Occasionally work on emerging or unexpected leadership communications projects as needed beyond the typical event portfolio.
**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 and 5 to 7 years of experience in communications, event production, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- Creative vision and skill to devise strategic event programs/productions, which may include video elements, live presentations, and staged panel conversations.
- Communications skills to develop compelling PowerPoint or similar visual presentations for delivery in various settings from virtual events to big screens in large venues.
- Expert writer with experience writing executive communications, including speeches and remarks.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to function with diplomacy and build positive working relationships with peers, senior colleagues, and leadership in a highly collaborative environment.
- Excellent project management skills and comfort level driving processes in a collaborative peer group setting.
- Experience in communications for fundraising, donor relations, recruitment, or other audience-targeted strategic engagement field.
- Demonstrated history of effective performance within deadline-driven environments, and ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor when under pressure.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to several times a year to attend events within the US.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Development and Alumni Relations
Pay Range
$77,330.00 - $100,000.00 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 protectedunder 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
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