Associate Director, Communications

University of Pennsylvania; United (PA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Retirement plans

Flexible work hours

Wellness programs

Professional development benefits

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania is seeking an Associate Director of Communications & Digital Strategy for CHIP. This role leads integrated storytelling, marketing, and digital engagement to advance visibility, brand, and impact.

Reporting to the Director of Knowledge Management & Marketing, the position blends communications with data-driven marketing and platform management across multiple channels. The role requires strategic thinking, day-to-day content execution, and collaboration with internal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Serve as primary webmaster, overseeing website updates and user experience.
• Manage CRM and marketing automation tools, supporting segmentation and reporting.
• Develop marketing strategies to expand audience reach and engagement.
• Own editorial calendar and coordinate with internal teams and external partners.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Storytelling

Content strategy

Project management

Organizational skills

Ability to synthesize complex content

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Account Engagement

Job description

Associate Director, Communications & Digital Strategy,CHIP

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer inPhiladelphia, 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 & WorldReport survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provideopportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education,all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach toscholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been rankednationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbeswho named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city ofPhiladelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urbancampus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, andrecreational activities. With its historical significance andlandmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety ofatmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home forwork and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includesexcellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and theirfamilies, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety ofprofessional development opportunities, supportive work and familybenefits, 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 isresponsible for leading and execute an integrated approach tostorytelling, marketing, and digital engagement. Reporting to theDirector of Knowledge Management & Marketing, this role iscritical to advancing the organization's visibility, strengtheningits brand, and supporting programmatic impact through strategiccommunications and data-driven marketing. Blending communications, marketing, and digital platformmanagement, this position requires a strategic thinker who isequally comfortable executing day-to-day content, managing systems,and coordinating across internal teams and external partners. The Associate Director of Communications & Digital Strategy isa key position responsible for advancing the Center for High ImpactPhilanthropy's visibility, brand presence, and impact throughstrategic communications, marketing, and digital engagement. Reporting to the Director of Knowledge Management & Marketing,this role develops and implements integrated communication andmarketing strategies that amplify organizational programs,research, and initiatives. The Associate Director creates and manages compelling contentacross multiple channels, including websites, publications,newsletters, and digital campaigns, while ensuring mission focus,consistent brand messaging, and editorial standards. This positionalso manages the organization's digital platforms, includingwebsite administration, social media, CRM, and marketing automationtools, using data and analytics to improve audience engagement andcampaign effectiveness. Position is contingent upon funding.

Job Responsibilities

• Communications & Content Leadership: Lead thedevelopment and execution of a comprehensive communicationsstrategy aligned with organizational goals for the Center and incollaboration with SP2 Strategic Communications & Design.Produce and oversee external communications, including newsletters,website content, social media, and guidance. Translate complexideas into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.Maintain and evolve the organization's brand voice, editorialstandards, and style guide
• Digital Platforms & Technology Management: Serve asprimary webmaster for the organization, ensuring timely updates anda high-quality user experience. Manage website content, structure,and occasional functional improvements. Administer CRM andmarketing automation tools (e.g., Salesforce, Account Engagement),supporting segmentation, analytics, and reporting. Oversee digitaltools and platforms to ensure consistency, efficiency, andalignment with branding, in collaboration with SP2 InformationTechnology and Strategic Communications & Design. Serve asliaison to external vendors and consultants (e.g., designers,developers, marketing partners)
• Marketing Strategy & Audience Growth: Develop andimplement marketing strategies to expand audience reach andengagement. Analyze and optimize social media and digital campaignsusing performance data and insights. Create marketingmaterials such as event promotions, graphics, and digitalcampaigns. Identify opportunities to amplify organizationalvisibility through media, partnerships, and timelynarratives. Identify communications opportunities tied tocurrent events, research, and program initiatives in collaborationwith SP2 Strategic Communications & Design.
• Project Management & Team Coordination: Own andmaintain the editorial calendar, coordinating across the Center andSP2 Strategic Communications & Design to align content andcampaigns. Contribute to organizational planning with the Directorof Knowledge Management & Marketing and CHIP staff. Coordinateinternal workflows and approvals to ensure high-quality, timelydeliverables. Manage student workers.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Participate in and supportactivities for the Center and School. Perform additional duties asassigned, including participation in convocation and graduationceremonies as needed.

Qualifications:

• 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 accessiblemessaging

Preferred

• Experience with marketing analytics and performanceevaluation
• Graphic design, visual, and multimedia communicationskills
• Experience in nonprofit, higher education, or mission-drivenenvironments
• 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 therequirements of the position, and in alignment with salary rangesbased on external market data for the job's level. Internalorganization 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), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer ismade. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to therequirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Pennoffers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health,dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and yourfamily's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spendingaccounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent careexpenses with pre-tax dollars
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuitionbenefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can gettuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are alsoeligible for tuition assistance at other institutions
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans tohelp you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, andSupplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on apre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investmentoptions through TIAA and Vanguard
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with asubstantial amount of time away from work during the course of theyear. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personalaffairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time withfamily-whatever your personal needs
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with GenworthFinancial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible familymembers) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of thecosts of long-term care services received at home, in the communityor in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, youwon't have to provide proof of good health or be subject tounderwriting requirements. Eligible family members must alwaysprovide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed tosupporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competingdemands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a widevariety of programs and resources to help you care for your health,your family, and your work-life balance
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides anarray of resources to help you advance yourself personally andprofessionally
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community,you have access to a wide range of University resources as well ascultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of theUniversity's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit ourarboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on atPenn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latestmusic or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the PennRelays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a memberof the Penn community, you're right in the middle of theexcitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of theseactivities for free
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts andentertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find greatdeals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts andcultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admissionand memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoysubstantial savings on other goods and services such as new carsfrom Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movietickets, and admission to theme parks
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offercreative approaches for completing work while promoting balancebetween work and personal commitments. These approaches involve useof non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or jobstructures
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivableloan for eligible employees interested in buying a home orcurrently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used forclosing costs or home improvements
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligibleemployees on qualified expenses in connection with the legaladoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for upto 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), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state, or local law.