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

Communications and Engagement Specialist (Palliative Research Center)

Job Profile Title

Communications Specialist

Job Description Summary

The PAIR Center Communications and Engagement Specialist will be responsible for planning and executing the communications and engagement activities for the Center. He or she will develop strategies to promote and disseminate the PAIR Center’s work, faculty achievements, and events via traditional and social media with the goal of ensuring the Center’s work has the greatest impact. Stakeholders who are the intended targets of PAIR Center communications include other academic researchers, large healthcare system leaders, payers, policy makers, community organizations, and advocacy groups. He or she will be responsible for generating and updating content for the PAIR Center website and social media accounts as well as print materials, including an Annual Report. In addition to these externally facing materials, the Communications and Engagement Specialist will support internal communications regarding events, advisory board meetings, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programming, and The Joint Research Practices Working Group.

Engagement activities relate to the Center’s goal of integrating patients, caregivers, and community organizations in our work to ensure that our research priorities and messaging are meaningful to individuals impacted by serious illness from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Communications and Engagement Specialist will consult with project teams seeking to involve community members and other stakeholders in their work. He or she will provide guidance and hands-on support for proposal development, stakeholder events, and dissemination activities. He or she will establish relationships with groups across Penn engaged in community-based research and outreach and curate and maintain contacts for organizations and individuals engaged in the PAIR Center’s work.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Plan and execute communication activities for the PAIR Center through traditional and social media to elevate the PAIR Center’s national reputation to ensure the PAIR Center’s work achieves maximal impact. Duties include website content maintenance and enhancement as well as content generation for social media (X, LinkedIn) newsletters, videos, and an annual report. Support internal communications regarding events, DEI programming, and the JRP. Meet regularly with PAIR Center faculty to assess communications needs; meet regularly with Center leadership to discuss Center Communication priorities.

Consult with PAIR Center project teams regarding engagement plans and activities. Support proposal development (i.e. engagement plans and stakeholder feedback), stakeholder events, and project dissemination activities. Build and maintain relationships with groups across Penn’s campus engaged in community-based research (CHEA, Community Health Worker Program etc.)

Maintain contacts with organizations and individuals engaged in the PAIR Center’s work. Attend community events as needed.

Contribute to PAIR Center meetings and JRP meetings and projects (works in progress, staff meetings, JRP meetings and workshops as needed)

Position Contingent Upon Funding

Preferred: Experience working in communications, preferably in a health care setting. Experience interfacing with diverse stakeholders – patients, families, or community organizations.

Demonstrated ability to communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with team members, other University employees on an interpersonal level, both verbally and in writing; Responsive service orientation -- positive, "can do" approach to initiatives, problems, and solutions; Excellent organizational skills -- able to prioritize work and manage time; Strong team orientation with the ability to be flexible with time and independently manage multiple priorities simultaneously; Strong writing and editing skills;

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $71,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check 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

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.