University of Pennsylvania Hiring for Senior Writer, Penn Medicine at 3535 Market Full Time

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 TitleSenior Writer, Penn MedicineJob Profile TitleStaff Writer CJob Description SummaryReporting to the Director of Strategic Communications within the Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations (PMDAR) team, the Senior Writer is responsible for creating compelling copy that drives major gift activity across all University of Pennsylvania Health System service lines and within the Perelman School of Medicine.

A key contributor to PMDAR’s growing and highly collaborative Communications and Stewardship Team, the Senior Writer will create effective fundraising communications and donor impact reports that integrate the technical and innovative science, clinical care, and educational priorities at Penn Medicine with the very emotional realities of serious illness, care, and the future of medicine. In addition to possessing the demonstrated ability to quickly grasp complex scientific topics and translate them to a lay audience, the ideal candidate must possess deft writing skills and basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud.

The Senior Writer will have the strong project management acumen required to retain oversight of multiple projects, including working with small groups to maintain workflow timelines and execute deliverables on deadline. They will be able to work effectively with people as well as databases and management systems. Writing assignments include but are not limited to—proposals; leadership communications: remarks/talking points/scripted agendas, acknowledgement/condolence letters, presentations, and briefings; development communications; one-pagers, and impact reports for major gifts ranging $25K-$25M+; as well as general communications: patient stories, newsletter articles, annual reports; and website content and blogs, brochures, and other collateral materials.

While a fully remote position, the candidate must live in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and/or New Jersey to be eligible for the role, and will be required to attend meetings on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus on an ad-hoc basis.Job Description

Specific Duties:

• Write proposals, stewardship reports, special correspondence, newsletter articles, event materials, remarks/talking points, presentations, and other communications that inform our donors.

• Meet with multiple stakeholders to execute strategies and deliverables around development communications, e.g. proposals, vision pieces, and giving opportunity lists.

• Work with PMDAR leadership to deliver stewardship program support to the various UPHS service lines, biomedical research, and the Perelman School of Medicine. Coordinate design and other vendor activities on a project basis.

• Execute multiple projects, tracking progress with web-based project management system, updating diverse team members and faculty, and providing status reports to Director.

• Proofread and copy edit other projects produced by unit staff. Coordinate efforts of other communications staff members when needed on larger projects.

• Develop an understanding of the educational, research, clinical, and financial needs and goals of Penn Medicine.

• Use desktop design software to create and edit projects. Keep informed of trends in medical communications and apply them to projects.

**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 and 3-5 years experience as a professional writer (in fundraising, marketing, or related area desirable) or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Prefer at least 2 years’ direct experience in higher education or health care.

• Portfolio that demonstrates ability to write clearly and persuasively on a variety of topics, with the ability to vary style as needed, from an executive tone, to mass appeals.

• Comfort with writing on scientific topics, specifically in translating highly complex topics into understandable lay language.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, strong organizational skills, talent for creative problem solving, and an ability to manage multiple tasks and projects under deadline.

• Excellent command of language, grammar, and spelling, with a sharp eye for detail.

• In addition to using Microsoft Office Suite, experience in using desktop design software such as InDesign.

• The ability to work effectively with databases and contact management systems.

• Web and social media experience a plus.

• Project management experience.

• Experience in evaluating graphic design.

• Ability to travel both locally and nationally and must be willing to work some evenings and weekends.

• Team-building skills with knowledge of the academic environment preferred, and the ability to relate comfortably to alumni and volunteers, as well as to faculty members, administrators, and staff.

• Occasional lifting 25 lbs. or less.

Job Location – City, StatePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaDepartment / SchoolDevelopment and Alumni RelationsPay Range$51,824.00 – $82,000.00 Annual RateSalary 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