Communications Director - Division of Finance - 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

Communications Director - Division of Finance





Job Profile Title

Director C, Arts and Media, Communications and Marketing





Job Description Summary

The Communications Director in the Division of Finance (DOF) is responsible for developing and executing strategic communication initiatives that support the Division’s mission and annual goals, promote the university's reputation, and engage stakeholders across the institution. This role plays a critical part in communicating financial strategy, policy updates, process changes, and technological enhancements to ensure transparency and understanding among university and external stakeholders. The Communications Director will work closely with leadership to translate complex financial and administrative information into clear, accessible messaging for students, faculty, staff, and external partners.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities


1. Strategic Communication Planning



+ Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy for the Vice President’s office, aligned with university priorities and financial objectives.


+ Collaborate with senior leaders to identify key messages, communication opportunities, and issues related to financial strategy, budgeting, and operations.


+ Ensure messaging consistency with institutional goals and branding standards.





2. Content Creation and Management



+ Write, edit, and publish clear, compelling content for various channels, including emails, reports, newsletters, presentations, and web content.


+ Prepare financial announcements, policy updates, budget summaries, and other critical communications that simplify complex financial data for broad audiences.


+ Develop briefing materials, talking points, and FAQs for leadership.





3. Stakeholder Engagement



+ Develop tailored communication approaches to engage university stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, board members, and external partners.


+ Coordinate with internal DOF departments to gather input, ensure accuracy, and provide clear information on financial matters.


+ Serve as a liaison with DOF colleagues, communications staff in other school and centers, and the university's central communications office to align messaging and leverage broader institutional communication resources.





4. Project and Event Management



+ Organize and manage communication initiatives, including town halls, financial workshops, and Q&A sessions to enhance financial transparency and understanding.


+ Plan and execute internal events and meetings for the Vice President’s office, ensuring clear objectives and positive stakeholder engagement.





5. Media Relations and Crisis Communications



+ Collaborate with the central communications team on media relations and issues management related to financial and operational matters.


+ Support the Vice President in crisis situations, providing responsive, accurate information and managing timely communication with stakeholders.





6. Financial Process, Policy, and Technology Communication



+ Collaborate with the Vice President and change management team to align communication strategies with change management initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions and high engagement with new financial systems and policies.


+ Develop and execute communication plans to support the rollout of new financial policies, processes, and technology tools across the university.


+ Work closely with finance, IT, and operational teams to understand policy and process changes, translating technical and procedural details into accessible content for varied audiences.


+ Create clear, step-by-step guides, FAQs, and training materials to support faculty and staff in adapting to new financial tools, software, and systems.


+ Facilitate informational sessions, workshops, and webinars to inform and educate departments on new financial processes, policies, and technological updates.


+ Gather and analyze feedback on communication efforts for process and technology changes, using insights to improve future communication strategies.





7. Data Analysis and Reporting



+ Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication strategies and channels, using data to improve engagement and reach.


+ Produce regular reports on communication performance and recommend enhancements based on metrics and feedback.


+ Utilize data reporting and visualization to enhance the effectiveness of communications.





Qualifications

+ Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 7 to 10 years or Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

+ 5+ years of experience in a communications role, preferably within higher education, finance, or a complex organization.

+ Proven expertise in communicating financial information to non-financial audiences in a clear and compelling way.

+ Proven competency with accurate writing, editing, and presentation skills.

+ Familiarity with digital communication tools, content management systems, and social media.

+ Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across departments and influence at all levels of the organization.

+ Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

+ Preferred Qualifications: - Experience working in higher education, nonprofit, finance, or banking organizations.- Familiarity with financial terminology and understanding of higher education financial models.- Knowledge of crisis communication best practices.








Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Division of Finance





Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $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, 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.