Director, Communications and External Relations; Division of Business Services

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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

Director, Communications and External Relations; Division of Business Services

Job Profile Title

Director D, Arts and Media, Communications and Marketing

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Business Services, the Director of Communications and External Relations is a member of a three-person team that manages communications, media relations, marketing, customer service, and special projects and initiatives for 15+ different departments and programs under the Business Services Division.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Although each member of the communications team is anticipated to have working knowledge of the other positions so as to serve as a cross-trained back-up if needed, the Director of Communications and External Relations is primarily responsible for the following:

Communications and Media Interactions:

• Perform expert-level written and verbal communications to create, review, and edit varied content in print, electronic, and web-based communications (including but not limited to press releases, email outreach, and direct mail pieces—working with graphic designers, printers, and related professionals to develop collateral and campaigns).
• Provide oversight and guidance for internal and external resources (e.g., marketing and communications staff within individual departments, peer positions under the employment of contracted service providers).
• Draft and deliver executive correspondence and talking points on behalf of the Vice President for Business Services and other senior leaders in the division—ensuring that those communications contain clear and compelling messaging to diverse audiences and establish a consistent “voice” for the division.
• Serve as the division's public spokesperson and primary contact for media inquiries, working with University Communications as needed.
• Support social media initiatives, using analytic tools to gather and interpret data (e.g., Sprout Social, Google Analytics).
• Supporting crisis management and response is a critical aspect of the communication role.
• Manage and/or support divisional events and participation as needed.
• Responsible for the management of the division's website and content management systems.

Business Unit Collaborations:

• Work with the business units to measure current levels of service delivery in each of the division's departments while using a variety of research tools (e.g., Qualtrics surveys, focus groups, peer institution research reviews) to benchmark performance, produce reports, identify broader issues and trends and participate in assessing policies and practices to make improvements.
• Support the unique and multi-faceted needs of Residential and Hospitality Services - especially for student-oriented services such as Housing, Dining, and Off-Campus Living.
• Author content to document and explain complex issues, policies, and practices.
• Develop visually striking, informative presentations that incorporate quantitative and qualitative data and present information in a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand manner suitable for the intended audience.
• Maintain a hands-on, active role in understanding, maintaining, and developing the Campus Express at Penn program, which serves as the division's comprehensive marke