Executive Director, Penn Center for Media, Technology & Democracy - University of Pennsylvania

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

Executive Director, Penn Center for Media, Technology & Democracy





Job Profile Title

Director D, Academic Affairs, Academic Center





Job Description Summary

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.


Position Overview:


The Executive Director will oversee the Penn Center for Media, Technology & Democracy at the University of Pennsylvania, a new initiative supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation designed to position Penn as a leader in the empirical study of the interactions among media, technology, and democracy. This will be achieved through building synergies among existing efforts across several schools and by creating flagship events to share knowledge and build community. Reporting to the Center’s faculty directors, professors Christopher Yoo (Law) and Duncan Watts (SEAS, Annenberg, Wharton), the Executive Director will play a pivotal role in the development and advancement of the Center. The successful candidate will collaborate with a team of world-class researchers and stakeholders to foster information integrity, democratic citizenship, and social innovation through technology. This is a unique opportunity to lead a transformative initiative aimed at supporting democracy, advancing media research, and serving society's best interests.





Job Description


Key Responsibilities:





+ Lead the development and execution of the Center's strategic goals.


+ Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring effective implementation of program elements and coordination across various departments.


+ Facilitate collaboration among a diverse group of stakeholders including researchers from multiple disciplines, policy makers, and industry leaders.


+ Oversee the planning and execution of an annual flagship conference that will showcase contributions from the Penn research community and external researchers and invite key stakeholders from media, the tech industry, government, and the nonprofit sectors.


+ Oversee the planning and execution of other academic and policy events.


+ Administer an internal grants program to foster innovative research within the initiative.


+ Support the work of the Executive Committee, particularly in conjunction with its review of grant applications.


+ Enhance the initiative’s research infrastructure to support data sharing and collaborative research projects.


+ Oversee the fellows program, including organizing collaborative opportunities, such as a weekly seminar series and regular lunches.


+ Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders in the media, tech industry, government, and non-profit sectors.


+ Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop and refine research objectives, funding strategies, and long-term sustainability plans.


+ Establish processes to effectively communicate project status, risks and achievements with key stakeholders; devise mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address potential challenges.


+ Develop an impact analysis to specify goals of the Center and predict its anticipated benefits.


+ Manage budgeting, funding, and resource allocation in accordance with university guidelines and donor expectations.


+ Oversee the allocation of grants, scholarships, and fellowships to support academic capacity and research in the field.


+ Recruit, lead, and mentor the professional staff, including Data Scientists, Outreach Coordinators, Operations Director, and Communications Specialists. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and professional growth.


+ Serve as a focal point for communications with participating scholars, executive committee members, sponsoring deans, central university communications and development, the Knight Foundation, and the Knight-Georgetown Institute.


+ Develop strategies to ensure the program's long-term sustainability and influence public policy development related to media, technology, and society. Lead the fundraising efforts for the Center as well as advocate and advance the Center’s initiatives and research findings to key stakeholders and policymakers.





Qualifications:




Advanced degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a relevant field such as media studies, communication, technology, social sciences, or related disciplines, a strong background in data science and a minimum of 5-7 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.




Proven track record of successful leadership and management in a research or academic setting.


Experience in securing and managing research funding, grants, or philanthropic investments.


Strong network and relationships within academia, media, technology, and social innovation communities. Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders. Passion for advancing democracy, supporting journalism, and contributing to the betterment of society through research and social innovation.




The Executive Director will report to Duncan Watts, PhD, and Christopher Yoo, JD, and work collaboratively with the University of Pennsylvania's research team. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and forward-thinking team working to shape the future of media, technology, and society for the betterment of all.




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.






Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Law School





Pay Range

$90,860.00 - $175,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.




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.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on 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.