Posted in Other 12 days ago.
Director of Content and News Media
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
Director of Content and News Media
Job Profile Title
Associate Director D, Arts and Media, Communications and Marketing
Job Description Summary
The Director of Content and News Media is a critical member of the School of Veterinary Medicine's (Penn Vet) communications organization. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, the Director of Content and News Media serves as the principal news and science news creator for Penn Vet. The candidate will maintain broad awareness of the School's curricular, co-curricular, clinical and research news, and the Dean's activities, and translate them into strategic content plans and formats that are accessible to the media, science media, and the public; and distributed through Penn Vet's website, social platforms, and digital and print publications.
A demonstrated understanding of veterinary medicine, science, health, and environmental health topics are key to success in this role. This will be accomplished by maintaining relationships with School, departmental and clinical leadership, faculty, post-docs, and students; interviewing subjects, writing and editing press releases and other public-facing stories, and working with the Chief Communications Officer, Web Editor, Associate Director of Marketing, Assistant Director of Social Media, and central University Communications, to ensure content reaches the appropriate audiences. This position will elevate the public's knowledge and understanding of the relative impact of Penn Vet's mission on animal and human health, as well as on environmental health.
The Director of Content and News Media will be a strategic, creative storyteller with an ability to translate the scholarly activities of faculty in ways that engage internal and external audiences. The Director must develop a strong appreciation of the School's goals, priorities, and key messages and understand how to use every assignment as an opportunity to promote them. The ideal candidate will also be an experienced project manager, with a proven ability to work efficiently and tactfully with faculty, staff, and external vendors to keep projects on schedule.
The Director supervises a team of marketing, social media, and communication specialists; including a freelance pool of writers, graphic designers, agencies, and other creative vendors, and holds them accountable to uphold brand standards. The Director oversees professional development, supports a highly functioning team, and ensures that each team member has the skills necessary to execute Penn Vet's communication goals. Ensures compliance with University policies and federal, state, and local regulations governing news coverage.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Content Creation: Write press releases, features, articles, news items, and announcements in both long and short formats for print and digital editions of Bellwether magazine, Penn Today, Miracle Minute newsletter, website newsroom, email newsletters, and media communications; work in a team to develop multimedia content including video. Contribute content to Penn Vet's social platforms. In collaboration with Web Editor, ensure website content is accurate and up-to-date, and reflects appropriate editorial style. In collaboration with Chief Communications Officer and Web Editor, participate in initiatives to enhance Penn Vet's website. Evaluate tips and news leads to develop stories. Identify strategic content opportunities that support engagement and fundraising goals; and catalyze philanthropic motivation.
Media Relations: Deliver Penn Vet's media tactics and press campaigns to increase Penn Vet's profile in target publications, working in close collaboration with the Chief Communications Officer and the University of Pennsylvania's Director of Media Relations. Serve as the first point of contact for journalists and respond quickly and professionally to incoming media queries. Build and maintain relationships with mass, science/health, and trade media. Write press releases, fact sheets, statements, and briefing documents to ensure messaging is clear and aligned with institutional objectives. Pitch and place stories with target media. Assist the central University Communications office with issues and crisis management as needed.
Editor, Bellwether magazine: Bellwether is the School's institutional publishing platform that highlights the impact of Penn Vet's faculty, clinicians, students, and alumni. In collaboration with the Chief Communications Officer, identify and define Bellwether's editorial requirements ensuring that Bellwether is relevant and engaging to readers while supporting key priorities. The Director will lead each issue's direction for both print and digital editions. Run editorial meetings; track content ideas; assign stories to freelance writers; and edit drafts of articles. Collaborate with Assistant Director of Social Media and Associate Director of Marketing on video and image content. Collaborate with external writers and graphic designers to ensure quality and creativity are consistent with Penn Vet's brand standards.
Team Development: Fosters the development of staff and guides their mastery of integrated, strategic communications and news deployment. Cultivates exemplary employee engagement and provides support for team's professional development. Embraces and encourages a learning and innovative environment, with a willingness to experiment and bear incremental risk.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
A Bachelor's Degree in Communications or a related field and 5 to 7 years of experience, including supervisory positions, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. At least 10 years of relevant experience is preferred. An advanced degree is a plus and health-related communications/media relations/publishing experience is preferred. Must excel in written and oral communication, and possess a solid track record of innovation, precision, and accuracy.
Knowledge and experience in management of digital and print publishing formats as well as solid editing and visual skills required. Ability to manage the development of clinical information and easily understood science/health information; and to communicate successfully with the media required. Must possess excellent organizational, management, strategic planning, interpersonal, and team player skills. Demonstrated proficiency in appropriate technologies required.
A cover letter is required along with a resume. Candidates must submit up to five writing samples that demonstrate proficiency with veterinary, health, science/research, or clinical topics; in a variety of formats (e.g.; press release, short form, long form); with one sample written in a conversational style. Applicants who do not submit the required documents will not be considered for the position.
Job Location
: Based in Philadelphia; eligible for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of the introductory period. Hybrid work week divided between working onsite in Philadelphia and working remotely. The role will require travel on a regular basis to Penn Vet's New Bolton Center campus in Chester County's Kennett Square, PA as well as some other travel as needed.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
School of Veterinary Medicine
Pay Range
$61,046.00 - $85,000.00 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
University of Pennsylvania |
University of Pennsylvania |
University of Pennsylvania |