Executive Director, Communications and Stewardship

Penn Information Systems & Computing

. Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Communications and Stewardship team for Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations .

Posted 11/9/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • United StatesLead💰 $135,327 - $160,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strategic leadership in communications and stewardship, with a strong focus on managing teams and developing integrated communication strategies to support fundraising goals. Proven ability to oversee diverse communication efforts, manage budgets, and collaborate across departments in an academic or healthcare setting.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Team ManagementStrategic CommunicationsFundraising ExperienceWriting And Editing SkillsOrganizational Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Proposal WritingDigital Media ManagementMetrics And AnalyticsCampaign StrategyPublications Oversight

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsRelationship BuildingProject ManagementLeadership

Industry Keywords

Healthcare CommunicationsFundraisingPublic RelationsAlumni RelationsAcademic Institution

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Communications and Stewardship team for Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations
Establish vision, strategy, and priorities for an integrated communications function supporting Leadership Communications, Alumni Relations, UPHS Clinical Care, Abramson Cancer Center, Campaign Initiatives, Biomedical Research, and Operations
Lead planning and implementation of communications, marketing strategies, and stewardship supporting Penn Medicine fundraising goals
Manage a staff of 20, including eight direct reports and one dotted-line report
Oversee proposal writing, editing, publications, acknowledgements, correspondence, remarks, newsletters, digital media, council communications, leadership messaging, and other media
Oversee PMDAR-wide development communications, stewardship, and digital media efforts
Set goals and best practices, respond to ongoing requests, and develop strategy and long-term planning
Guide career development for the communications team
Direct workflow and priorities for communications team members
Oversee activity tracking, metrics, and qualitative and quantitative analytics
Lead Penn Medicine's comprehensive stewardship program and review and approve materials
Collaborate with DAR Communications, UPHS Marketing, PR, and other teams to support internal communications and stewardship and align strategy
Advise senior PMDAR leaders on strategic communications, leadership messaging, and sensitive or emerging issues
Lead special communications projects and initiatives for CAO and University and Penn Medicine leadership
Report directly to CAO in scheduled updates
Oversee the budget and communications calendar of deliverables
Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree and 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field; or Master of Science/Master of Arts and 5 to 7 years of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
Strong background in managing a team
Experience in an academic or healthcare institution strongly preferred
Excellent writing and editing skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Strong organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects under deadline
Ability to develop strong relationships with a wide range of constituencies within and outside Penn Medicine
Resume and cover letter required
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children
Tuition assistance for dependent children at other institutions
Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans
Pre-tax or Roth retirement savings options
Investment options through TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial time away from work
Long-term care insurance
Wellness and work-life programs and resources
Professional and personal development resources
Access to University libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, museums, and cultural and recreational activities
Free and discounted admission and memberships at Penn arts and cultural centers and museums
Discounts on transportation, mortgages, cars, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and theme park admission
Flexible work options, including non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures
Forgivable loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia
Adoption assistance for qualified expenses, up to two adoptions per household