Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Stewardship

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Life, and Flexible Spending

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania seeks an Executive Director of Communications and Stewardship within Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations in Philadelphia. The role provides strategic leadership for integrated communications, marketing strategies, and stewardship to support fundraising goals, overseeing a staff of about 20 with multiple reporting lines.

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, this position collaborates with DAR Communications, UPHS Marketing, PR and related teams,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7–10 years progressive fundraising/communications experience or a Master degree with 5–7 years.
• Strong team management and leadership capabilities.
• Experience in academic or healthcare institutions preferred.
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines and build broad relationships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee PMDAR development communications, stewardship, and digital media across multiple teams.
• Set goals, best practices, and long-term planning for departmental strategy.
• Lead workforce planning, analytics, and budgeting for the communications function.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align messaging and deliverables.
• Advise senior PMDAR leaders on strategic communications and leadership messaging.

Skills

Team leadership

Writing & editing

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Multitasking

Strategic communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in fundraising, communications, public relations, marketing, or related field

Master of Science or Master of Arts (related field)

Job description

The University of Pennsylvania seeks an Executive Director of Communications and Stewardship within Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations in Philadelphia. The role provides strategic leadership for integrated communications, marketing strategies, and stewardship to support fundraising goals, overseeing a staff of about 20 with multiple reporting lines.

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, this position collaborates with DAR Communications, UPHS Marketing, PR and related teams,