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 Writer, DARMAX

Job Profile Title

Staff Writer D

Job Description Summary

The Senior Writer is an integral part of the Development and Alumni Relations Marketing and Communications team (also known as DARMAX) at the University of Pennsylvania. Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Communications, this position is one of three high-level development writers and speechwriters on the team.

This role is primarily responsible for crafting a high volume of executive remarks for Penn’s President, Board Chair, and other leadership volunteers to underscore key messages of the University, steward Penn’s top donors, and raise awareness about fundraising priorities. Additionally, this person will cultivate a deep understanding of and appreciation for Penn and produce highly visible, strategic content for print and web in a complex, deadline-driven environment.

The ideal candidate will be a highly skilled and collaborative writer who will work closely with campus partners and senior leaders to align messaging around strategic priorities. They must possess the ability to research, absorb, synthesize, and communicate complex information on a wide variety of topics in a compelling manner. They will energetically and proactively forge professional relationships across the University, and they will bring a productive, positive, and curious perspective to assignments, challenges, and opportunities. This position requires a resourceful and versatile writer who is comfortable with a variety of styles, including the aptitude to work with generative AI tools, and who can communicate effectively to multiple audiences including donors, alumni, parents, volunteers, University leaders, faculty, students, and staff.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Conceive, research, and write a high volume of imaginative, substantive, and compelling presidential speeches and related communications.
• Produce talking points, print publications, website content, video scripts, citations and awards, and event marketing materials in a demanding, deadline-driven environment.
• Craft messaging that supports the University’s values, strategic framework, and evolving fundraising priorities.  
• Collaborate with DARMAX colleagues to maximize the impact of our entire suite of communications, working especially closely with other writers, graphic designers, digital staff, video producers, event planners, and more.
• Maintain productive relationships with colleagues across Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) and in the President’s Office to facilitate effective communication and information sharing.
• Communicate messages in a clear and consistent voice to a variety of audiences and constituencies in diverse settings.
• Consistently exercise strategic judgement, discretion, and painstaking accuracy.

 

**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.**

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field and 5 to 7 years of professional writing experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Superb writing, editing, and oral communication skills are essential, particularly the ability to write top-quality prose in a fast-paced environment. Experience as a speechwriter is strongly preferred. Capability to learn the “voice” of the President and Board Chair and nimbly respond to shifting priorities and messaging.
• An ability to digest complex information, understand multifaceted concepts, and translate those concepts into compelling prose.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a high degree of competency and comfort in interacting with people at all professional levels.
• The ability to present ideas with credibility and handle feedback gracefully. 
• Familiarity using a database for research.
• Openness and enthusiasm for learning about and using existing and emerging technologies (including AI) to enhance our communications work.
• A proven track record in project management (including the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with overlapping deadlines).
• Facility with a range of technologies required, including experience with or comfort learning project management software, customer relationship management databases, and cloud-based software suites such as Sharepoint and Office365.
• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• A strong work ethic, an unwavering commitment to integrity, and a strict adherence to maintaining confidentiality.
• Knowledge of higher education, particularly research universities.
• Applicants must submit resume, cover letter, and 2-3 writing samples in order to be considered.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Development and Alumni Relations

Pay Range

$77,330.00 - $87,000.00 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