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 & Stewardship Writer Penn Medicine Development & Alumni Relations

Job Profile Title

Staff Writer C

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development & Research Communications, the Senior Communications & Stewardship Writer develops some of the Office’s most important solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship communications projects, supporting in particular the Neuro and Biomedical Research Development (BRD) teams. This Senior Writer is comfortable and confident in their writing and, with the Senior Director of Development & Research Communications, acts as a leading figure on the creative team. The Senior Writer has a high comfort level in writing about basic science research and the biomedical sciences, as well as the ability to carefully edit and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback regarding the writing of other members of the team.

The Senior Writer has a sound understanding of the ways engaging copy can help stakeholders achieve their aims and is able to keep the donor perspective at the center of all efforts, successfully and consistently generating copy that reflects the caliber of our institution. Especially vital for this position is the ability to integrate the very technical aspects of Penn Medicine’s clinical, research, and educational priorities with the very emotional realities about serious illness, care, and the future of medicine. The Senior Writer is comfortable with using design software such as InDesign for the presentation of written material; if not already proficient, they are willing and able to swiftly build this skillset. Also critical is the ability to work with members of the broader PMDAR team, including frontline gift officers, to deliver the best possible communications collateral for the specific objectives of each project.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Write high-quality projects such as proposals, stewardship reports, handouts, and brochures
• Edit work from fellow writers and colleagues and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback in keeping with PMDAR standards
• Write high-level leadership communications, including letters and speeches/talking points
• Write and identify visuals for articles, newsletters, feature publications, and social media content
• Design, based on templates in creative tools such as InDesign, written projects, including proposals, stewardship reports, and brochures
• Collaborate with Health System design team to develop highly customized projects, ranging from advertisements and posters to multi-million dollar proposals and case statements
• All University benefits applicable

**Please provide a resume and cover letter in order to be considered for this role. Please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of the application prior to submitting.**

**Writing samples are required for your application.**

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Perfer experience as a professional writer in fundraising, marketing, or related area
• Prefer at least 2 years’ direct experience in higher education or health care
• Portfolio that demonstrates ability to write persuasively, especially while conveying scientific concepts to a lay audience

Professional Skills:

• Possesses strong writing skills, including especially the ability to write persuasively and translate complex scientific and medical information for a variety of audiences
• Has a firm grasp of English language mechanics and the ability to review and edit written communications for clarity, accuracy, consistency, grammar, style, tone, and adherence to style guidelines
• Familiar with creative processes, techniques, and tools
• Consistently displays a strong sense of ownership over the quality and timeliness of work, with sharp eye for detail in both copy and graphic design
• Manages a diverse array of individual projects and is proactive in balancing workload
• Can work effectively and efficiently in a demanding, fast-paced environment
• Anticipates, plans for, and creatively solves problems
• Exhibits optimism, energy, composure, and collaborative interpersonal skills
• Builds partnerships with multiple stakeholders
• Constantly aims to minimize institutional risk and maintain confidentiality
• Communicates clearly, and in a timely manner, with stakeholders in the method that is most effective for that audience (e.g., phone versus e-mail)
• Driven to meet and exceed the needs of the team: peers, supervisors, and gift officers
• Intellectually curious and eager to learn
• Willing to take the initiative to build new skills as needed

Technical Skills:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite
• Proficient with research tools such as Google Scholar and library catalogs
• Intermediate skills in using desktop design software and creative tools such as InDesign
• Intermediate skills in using databases, project management, and contact management systemsExperience in utilizing social media and online communications platforms a plus

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Development and Alumni Relations

Pay Range

$65,628.00 - $86,000.00 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.

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