Senior Communications Specialist - 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

Senior Communications Specialist





Job Profile Title

Communications Specialist Senior





Job Description Summary

The Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) provides the expertise, business process, policies and standards required to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain and renew the physical assets of the University, excluding the health system. In addition, the Division, comprised of approximately five Departments, is responsible for the strategic planning, management and operation of non-academic University property, and collaborating with the neighborhood to create a safe, diverse and economically vibrant destination. With close to 12M square feet of space, FRES maintains 186 buildings on a campus of 276 acres, completes over 60,000 maintenance requests per year, and starts approximately 250 projects a year. FRES is comprised of the following Departments: Administration, Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction, Real Estate, Operations and Maintenance.


The University of Pennsylvania is implementing a campus transformation entitled Penn Connects (http://www.pennconnects.upenn.edu). This comprehensive, award winning effort is expanding the campus over the next 20 years, including the construction of new academic research and recreational facilities. In addition, the University has secured $300M in Century Bond funding and continues to upgrade existing facilities over the coming years.





Job Description


The Senior Communications Specialist is a marketing and communications generalist responsible for creating internal and external messaging to trustees, administration, staff, faculty, students, community and professional groups coinciding with the strategic goals of the department. Responsibilities include work in the areas of communications, media relations, public relations, marketing and advertising in the form of strategic planning, benchmarking analysis and reports, website development, social media, media relations preparation, advertising, presentations, e-newsletters, and events. This role works closely with the Communications Director at Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES), in support of and in collaboration with the Senior Vice President, and the teams of Design and Construction, University Architect, Operations and Maintenance, Real Estate and Administration, as well as the Assistant Vice President in the Office of the SEVP, with particular emphasis in the areas of Penn Sustainability, campus development, and FRES operations. They will also serve in a liaison capacity on communications, marketing, event planning and community relations with University Communications, student leadership, professional staff across campus, internal and external organizations.




Job Responsibilities




FRES Communications Projects and Initiatives: Develop, support, and enhance FRES internal and external communications. Support FRES executive staff through creation of talking points, fact sheets, PPT presentations. Assist with event planning as needed. Direct production of FRES Annual Report; Coordinate with staff writer and graphic designer on content, layout, text review, and budget. Manage creation of PPT presentation for division senior vice president for All FRES Annual Update Meeting; Manage FRES content contributions to publications by local organizations and various University departments.




Website Management: manage existing content, create new pages, and develop information on a regular basis for several websites, including Sustainability, Penn Connects, and FRES websites. Review, analyze and modify these websites with University staff and consultants, including documenting, designing, testing, monitoring, and maintaining to meet the needs of users and communicate priorities effectively; facilitate website redesigns and development with outside consultant in coordination with FRES IT and University ISC; work on projects including web-based applications, website and layout enhancements.




Media Relations: Manage inquiries from Penn publications, Daily Pennsylvanian, and external trade publications and higher education media, and others not handled primarily by Director. Strategize and draft responses based on group input, set up interviews. Monitor news clips.




Strategic Planning: Draft or update long-term marketing communications plans that define goals, audiences, tactics and tools and provide direction for activity in several topic areas, including Penn Sustainability, campus development, and FRES initiatives. Draft or update marketing communications plans for specific campaigns of limited duration, with same tactics and evaluation. Assist with oversight of related work with Communications Coordinator.




E-News: manage design, protocol, correspondence and content for FRES and Sustainability e-newsletters several times/year to department and interested constituents with assistance from the Communications Coordinator.




Benchmarking: Monitor metrics on websites, social media, newsletters and advertising. Use data to inform communications, including web and social media analytics, public relations outreach, events, and advertising reach. Provide reports to other FRES departments as needed.




Advertising: Direct print and digital advertising campaigns. Meet with ad sales representatives in regional marketplace to research offerings and build relationships. Make recommendations on ad contracts. Update advertising messages based on target audience and time of year. Manage budget/invoices/payments with property management firm. Work with the Communications team members to redesign advertisements to meet new ad specs. Meet ad submission deadlines. Review reports provided by media groups to determine visibility and measures of success. Redistribute mix of advertising as needed.




Qualifications




Bachelors Degree required; Concentration in communications, public relations, media relations, marketing, business, or relevant 5-7 years related experience required; Related experience in design, architecture, urban studies, facilities management, higher education and/or real estate a plus.




Proficient with social media and online content management.




Strong oral and written communications skills required.




Must have great customer service, strong organizational, project management skills and attention to detail.




For consideration, interested candidates must submit a resume and a cover letter.






Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Facilities and Real Estate Services





Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $92,000.00 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.