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