Senior Communications Specialist, Wharton AI &
Analytics
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, Wharton AI & Analytics
Job Profile Title
Communications Specialist Senior
Job Description Summary
Wharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world's first collegiate business school,
the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the
future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and
creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both
Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a
faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000
undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year
13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers
through Wharton Executive Education's individual,
company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton
alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform
business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of
staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and
perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) advances
cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence and data
science in business through innovative research, educational
programming, and engagement with industry leaders. WAIAI supports
faculty research, student learning, thought leadership, and
strategic partnerships exploring AI's impact on business and
society.
Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Communications, the
Senior Communications Specialist will serve as a senior content
producer and communications generalist, helping to execute WAIAI's
marketing and communications strategy and address strategic and
creative needs across the team. Working in a highly collaborative,
fast-paced environment, this individual will translate WAIAI's
research, programs, events, and thought leadership into compelling,
accessible content for industry leaders, students, alumni, business
professionals, and other priority audiences. The successful
candidate will bring strong editorial judgment, digital expertise,
and creative problem-solving skills while partnering with faculty,
staff, affiliated centers, and communications colleagues across
Wharton to manage multiple projects from concept through
delivery.
Job Description
Responsibilities
- Develop compelling, audience-focused content that translates
complex faculty and student research, programs, and thought
leadership into clear and engaging narratives. Produce and adapt
content across formats, including articles, interviews,
newsletters, web and landing-page copy, email campaigns, graphics,
social media, video, and print materials.
Lead content strategy and production for the web presence of
WAIAI and its affiliated centers, improving content organization,
design quality, user experience, accessibility, and alignment with
strategic priorities. Create, edit, publish, and maintain accurate
and timely website content using WordPress and related
tools.
Apply search engine optimization, analytics, and AI content
optimization practices to increase the visibility and
discoverability of WAIAI's research, programs, events, and thought
leadership across traditional and emerging search platforms. Use
performance data and audience insights to recommend and implement
improvements.
Develop and execute strategic social media and digital
amplification efforts that engage priority audiences and extend the
reach of WAIAI's work. Identify opportunities to adapt and
repurpose research, event, and program content across channels to
maximize its reach, relevance, and useful life.
Uphold and refine WAIAI's editorial standards, narrative
storytelling, and brand voice, ensuring that communications are
consistent, accessible, and aligned with Wharton brand guidelines.
Contribute creative ideas and sound editorial judgment to
strengthen the quality and impact of WAIAI's
communications.
Collaborate closely with the WAIAI marketing team and a diverse
network of faculty, staff, students, affiliated centers, and
communications colleagues across Wharton. Manage multiple
communications projects from concept through delivery, coordinating
stakeholders, timelines, reviews, and deliverables in a highly
collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor's Degree and 5-7 years of experience are required or
equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience producing high-quality content across
web, email, social media, video, print, and other digital
channels.
- Exceptional writing, editing, interviewing, and storytelling
skills, with the ability to make complex or technical subject
matter accessible and engaging.
- Experience with web content strategy, content management
systems, search engine optimization, digital accessibility, and
user-centered content design.
- Strong understanding of social media strategy, audience
engagement, content amplification, and digital marketing
practices.
- Experience using analytics and performance data to evaluate
content effectiveness and inform communications
decisions.
- Strong editorial judgment and the ability to maintain a
consistent narrative voice while working within established
institutional brand standards.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing
deadlines with attention to detail, responsiveness, and sound
judgment.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with
senior leaders, faculty, communications professionals, and other
internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency with WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft
Office, email marketing platforms, and social media management
tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with AI-enabled content, research, and optimization
tools is preferred.
- Experience communicating academic research, emerging
technologies, business topics, or other complex subject matter is
preferred.
Important Information:
Applicants must submit a cover letter to be considered for this
role.
The anticipated salary range for this position is between:
$77,500 - $85,000.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Wharton School
Pay Range
$77,330.00 - $82,000.00 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/Academic-Research-Building---3rd-Floor/Senior-Communications-Specialist--Wharton-AI---Analytics_JR00127791-1
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