University of Pennsylvania

Associate Director, Communications

Closes: Oct 25, 2026

Salary: $55,962 – $68,000 per year

& Digital Strategy, CHIP

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

Associate Director, Communications & Digital Strategy, CHIP

Job Profile Title

Marketing Coordinator B

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director of Communications & Digital Strategy is responsible for leading and execute an integrated approach to storytelling, marketing, and digital engagement. Reporting to the Director of Knowledge Management & Marketing, this role is critical to advancing the organization's visibility, strengthening its brand, and supporting programmatic impact through strategic communications and data-driven marketing.

Blending communications, marketing, and digital platform management, this position requires a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable executing day-to-day content, managing systems, and coordinating across internal teams and external partners.

The Associate Director of Communications & Digital Strategy is a key position responsible for advancing the Center for High Impact Philanthropy's visibility, brand presence, and impact through strategic communications, marketing, and digital engagement. Reporting to the Director of Knowledge Management & Marketing, this role develops and implements integrated communication and marketing strategies that amplify organizational programs, research, and initiatives.

The Associate Director creates and manages compelling content across multiple channels, including websites, publications, newsletters, and digital campaigns, while ensuring mission focus, consistent brand messaging, and editorial standards. This position also manages the organization's digital platforms, including website administration, social media, CRM, and marketing automation tools, using data and analytics to improve audience engagement and campaign effectiveness.

Position is contingent upon funding.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Communications & Content Leadership: Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with organizational goals for the Center and in collaboration with SP2 Strategic Communications & Design. Produce and oversee external communications, including newsletters, website content, social media, and guidance. Translate complex ideas into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences. Maintain and evolve the organization's brand voice, editorial standards, and…

style guide

Digital Platforms & Technology Management: Serve as primary webmaster for the organization, ensuring timely updates and a high-quality user experience. Manage website content, structure, and occasional functional improvements. Administer CRM and marketing automation tools (e.g., Salesforce, Account Engagement), supporting segmentation, analytics, and reporting. Oversee digital tools and platforms to ensure consistency, efficiency, and alignment with branding, in collaboration with SP2 Information Technology and Strategic Communications & Design. Serve as liaison to external vendors and consultants (e.g., designers, developers, marketing partners)

Marketing Strategy & Audience Growth: Develop and implement marketing strategies to expand audience reach and engagement. Analyze and optimize social media and digital campaigns using performance data and insights. Create marketing materials such as event promotions, graphics, and digital campaigns. Identify opportunities to amplify organizational visibility through media, partnerships, and timely narratives. Identify communications opportunities tied to current events, research, and program initiatives in collaboration with SP2 Strategic Communications & Design.

Project Management & Team Coordination: Own and maintain the editorial calendar, coordinating across the Center and SP2 Strategic Communications & Design to align content and campaigns. Contribute to organizational planning with the Director of Knowledge Management & Marketing and CHIP staff. Coordinate internal workflows and approvals to ensure high-quality, timely deliverables. Manage student workers.

Other Duties as Assigned: Participate in and support activities for the Center and School. Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Qualifications:

Required
Bachelor's and 2-3 years experience
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
Experience managing websites and digital content systems
Familiarity with CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce)
Demonstrated project management and organizational skills
Ability to synthesize complex content into accessible messaging
Preferred
Experience with marketing analytics and performance evaluation
Graphic design, visual, and multimedia communication skills
Experience in nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven environments
Familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, and collaborative platforms
Core Competencies
Strategic thinking paired with strong execution
Attention to detail and commitment to quality
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Strong collaboration and relationship management skills
Adaptability in a growing and evolving organization

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Social Policy and Practice

Pay Range

$55,962.00 - $68,000.00 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, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be 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.

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

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/3815-Walnut-Soc-Pol--Research/Associate-Director--Communications---Digital-Strategy--CHIP_JR00126235

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University of Pennsylvania

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AcademicJobs.com is the premier platform to discover UPenn jobs, connecting talented professionals with exceptional career opportunities at one of the world’s leading Ivy League universities. The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is renowned for its interdisciplinary research and academic excellence, making UPenn Uni jobs highly sought after by academics and professionals globally. UPenn careers offer a dynamic and innovative environment for individuals to thrive. UPenn university careers span a diverse range of disciplines, reflecting the university’s key areas of academic specialization, including business, medicine, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. Employment UPenn includes roles such as professors, research fellows, postdoctoral scholars, and professional staff positions, catering to various expertise levels. For those pursuing UPenn jobs Philadelphia, the university’s vibrant campus provides a collaborative workplace in a culturally rich and historic city. UPenn Uni vacancies and job postings are showcased on AcademicJobs.com, where candidates can explore opportunities in teaching, cutting-edge research, and administrative roles. Jobs at UPenn cover fields like artificial intelligence, public policy, and biomedical sciences, aligning with the university’s commitment to addressing global challenges through innovation and scholarship. Each UPenn vacancy is an opportunity to contribute to impactful projects within a distinguished academic community. UPenn Employment Opportunities are extensive, with UPenn job Opportunities ranging from academic faculty to technical and operational roles. A UPenn Career offers the chance to join an institution that values intellectual rigor, diversity, and societal impact. UPenn Uni openings are regularly updated on AcademicJobs.com, ensuring access to the latest UPenn vacancies. Jobs at UPenn Uni are ideal for those passionate about advancing knowledge and driving progress. UPenn job postings include positions in law, education, and professional services such as IT and research administration. UPenn Employment through AcademicJobs.com connects talented individuals with UPenn Uni vacancies, providing a seamless pathway to join a world-leading university shaping the future.

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Associate Director, Communications