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
Associate Director of Stewardship - Penn Medicine
Job Profile Title
Staff Writer C
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Director of Stewardship, the Associate Director assists in the administration and evaluation of a comprehensive stewardship program and leads stewardship projects to promote engagement and connection with donors. The successful candidate has the demonstrated ability to write compelling copy on a variety of complex topics such as the significant research, clinical care, and educational initiatives at Penn Medicine. Remarkable writing, editing, desktop design, and project management skills enable the Associate Director to retain oversight of multiple assignments, including highly personalized stewardship reports and special projects for principal gift donors, and leadership communications, including speeches, Dean/CEO acknowledgements, and special letters. A key contributor to our growing and highly collegial department, the Associate Director works closely with gift officers from a wide range of areas within Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations – including teams for the Perelman School of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, and Biomedical Research – on the design and execution of annual and multi-year stewardship plans for principal and major gift donors and top prospects, and also collaborates with colleagues across Penn Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania. The Associate Director functions in a leadership capacity for the Stewardship team, supervising a Stewardship & Communications Writer and generally facilitating among other writers innovative, engaging writing that captures the voice, style, and areas of core focus for Penn Medicine.
Job Description
Specific Duties:
Planning, writing, and executing stewardship materials (includes reports, correspondence, and other special projects), including stewardship for $1 million-plus donors
Writing and editing remarks and other leadership communications for Penn Medicine leadership and selected senior faculty
Working with the Director of Stewardship, is proactive in planning for and evaluation of the comprehensive PMDAR stewardship program, initiatives, and special projects
Supervising a Stewardship & Communications Writer
Training and editing for Stewardship writers
Perform additional duties as assigned
Professional Skills:
Consistently displays a strong sense of ownership over the quality and timeliness of work, with sharp eye for detail—both with copy and graphic design
Able to work on a diverse array of individual projects, managing multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines, and is proactive in communicating issues related to workload or expectations
Anticipates, plans for, and creatively solves problems
Exhibits optimism, energy, and composure
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
Technical Skills:
Proficient with Microsoft Office suite
Proficient in using desktop design software and creative tools such as InDesign
Experience using research tools such as Google Scholar and library catalogs
Experience using databases, project management, and contact management systems
Experience in utilizing digital communications platforms a plus
Occasional lifting 25 lbs. or less
**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:
BA/BS
Between 3 to 5 years of experience as a professional writer in fundraising, marketing, health care, or related area or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Portfolio that demonstrates ability to write persuasively, especially while conveying scientific concepts to a lay audience
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Development and Alumni Relations
Pay Range
$51,824.00 - $75,000.00 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