Communications Associate, Pennovation Works

Communications Associate, Pennovation Works

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 Associate, Pennovation Works

Job Profile Title
Marketing Coordinator B

Job Description Summary
The Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) provides the expertise, business process, policies and standards required to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain and renew the physical assets of the University, excluding the health system. In addition, the Division, comprised of approximately five Departments, is responsible for the strategic planning, management and operation of non-academic University property, and collaborating with the neighborhood to create a safe, diverse and economically vibrant destination. With close to 12M square feet of space, FRES maintains 186 buildings on a campus of 276 acres, completes over 60,000 maintenance requests per year, and starts approximately 250 projects a year. FRES is comprised of the following Departments: Administration, Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction, Real Estate, Operations and Maintenance.

The University of Pennsylvania is implementing a campus transformation entitled Penn Connects (http://www.pennconnects.upenn.edu). This comprehensive, award winning effort is expanding the campus over the next 20 years, including the construction of new academic research and recreational facilities. In addition, the University has secured $300M in Century Bond funding and continues to upgrade existing facilities over the coming years. https://www.facilities.upenn.edu/

Job Description

Communications Associate, Pennovation Works

Position Summary:

Pennovation Works (PW) is a 23-acre site, with a distinctive blend of offices, labs, and production space developed by The University of Pennsylvania to support innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry partners who are engaged in solving real-world problems and translating inventions into viable ventures. Since its founding about five years ago, Pennovation Works has grown into a vibrant community of innovators with over 70 private companies, 11 Penn research entities, several corporate collaborators, and a wide range of University-supported incubation programs. Pennovation Works is currently anchored by three buildings, including: the Inventor Office Building, the Pennovation Lab, and the Pennovation Center (a business incubator that provides wet/dry lab space and acts as the nucleus for collaboration and the exchange of ideas for innovators from all disciplines).

The Communications Associate, Pennovation Works reports to the Managing Director (MD) of Pennovation Works, and is responsible for creating internal and external messaging to the administration, staff, faculty, students, community and professional groups coinciding with the strategic goals of Pennovation Works. Responsibilities include strategic planning, project management, benchmarking analysis and reports, and graphic design, photography, videography, copy writing, and copy editing to implement website updates, social media management and content creation, promotional messaging, presentations, e-newsletters and announcements, and special print and digital collateral/publications.

Job Responsibilities/Duties:

General Content Development (E-News/Announcements/Presentations): Manage copy writing, graphic design/layout, protocol, correspondence, content, frequency, distribution, and general implementation for: 1) Pennovation Works e-newsletters several times/year to interested constituents, in coordination with multiple Penn team members; 2) regular communications that promote upcoming or recap/highlight past events, activities, and successes related to Pennovation Works and its ecosystem members and partners, and 3) Pennovation Works presentations for tours and special programs. Specific duties include the following:

• Design layout and graphics, and compose and/or edit copy, for periodic newsletter publications, general news announcements, and program promotions/flyers, recaps, and highlights

• Write compelling copy for promotional program announcements and news stories

• Design announcements/content using well-designed graphic elements and layouts for web, pdf, ppt, and social media

• Write and/or edit copy for up to three (3) full program recaps per week for website

• Create an archive/reference library with program promotions / recaps / highlights

Social Media Management: Direct strategy for and implement Pennovation Works' social media plan across multiple platforms. Create original content (includes graphic design/layout and copy writing); review and edit copy and content proposed/drafted by team members. Manage user accounts on scheduling tool. Monitor Pennovation Works account engagements/comments and provide real-time interactive responses (as appropriate). Monitor social media across the ecosystem and provide real-time interactive comments, tags, reposts, or shares (as appropriate).

Project Management: Create and manage overall communications strategy and content calendar. In collaboration with the PW Coordination Committee, develop and implement marketing and communications plans that promote and highlight Pennovation Works and ecosystem activities; In collaboration with the PW Communications Committee, develop and implement supplemental marketing and communications plans that amplify Pennovation Works messaging (includes seasonal and themed messaging and special features and projects, such as Year-In-Review, Meet the Innovators, etc.). Coordinate PW communication efforts and provide project management for the PW Team/FRES. Manage consistency of style and brand.

Strategic Planning: In collaboration with the PW-MD and FRES Communications Team, update and support long-term strategic marketing and communications plans that define goals, audiences, tactics and tools and provide direction for Pennovation Works MarComm deliverables. Draft and update marketing communications plans for specific campaigns of limited duration, with same tactics and evaluation.

Website Management: Manage existing content, create new pages, and develop information on a daily to weekly basis primarily for Pennovation Works' internal website. Support external website management; includes home page slider, events calendar, news, and directory.

Special Projects: Develop and/or contribute content (including graphics/layout, copy, photos, video) for special features, highlights, publications, and productions; including but not limited to Pennovation Works Year-In-Review, Meet the Innovators video series, alumni spotlights, success stories, startup tips, etc. Develop special event collateral/communication (ex. SXSW, etc).

Public Relations: Coordinate tabling at conferences and other PR opportunities to market the Pennovation Works brand; attend events to capture content (photos, videos, quotes, etc) to amplify Pennovation Works messaging and/or support Pennovation Works projects, activities, events, and milestones.

Media Relations: Monitor and catalog news clips and incorporate as appropriate into the communications plan.

Benchmarking & Reports: Review and/or generate reports with metrics on websites, social media, and newsletters/announcements. Use data to assist in creation of strategies and plans.

Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree (preferred concentration in communications, marketing, or relevant field) and 3 to 5 years of related experience required or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Advanced experience and skills in marketing, communications, and graphic design required

• Advanced experience and skills in social media and online content management required

• Proficiency with professional communications, web design, and graphic design tools (such as MailChimp, Constant Contact, WordPress, Canva, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.)

• Strong oral and written communications skills required

• Strong project management and organizational skills with acute attention to detail

• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment multi-task and meet tight deadlines

• An ability to work independently, be flexible, anticipate needs, and take initiative

• Must have great customer service skills and a high-degree of professionalism

• Be available to work on site Monday through Friday; occasional weekends, early mornings, and evenings required (not a remote position)

*** For consideration, interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter expressing your interest in this position, is preferred. ***

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Facilities and Real Estate Services

Pay Range
$43,919.00 - $68,000.00 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.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/4620062