Executive Director – Communications and Stewardship

University of Pennsylvania

. 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 effective marketing strategies to support fundraising goals in a healthcare or academic setting.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Team ManagementFundraising StrategyCommunications LeadershipWriting And Editing SkillsOrganizational Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Proposal WritingDigital Media ManagementMetrics And AnalyticsCampaign InitiativesPublic RelationsStewardship ProgramsMarketing StrategiesLeadership MessagingPublications OversightCareer Development Guidance

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsOrganizational SkillsRelationship BuildingProject ManagementCommunication Skills

Industry Keywords

Healthcare InstitutionAcademic InstitutionFundraisingCommunicationsAlumni RelationsDevelopment CommunicationsStewardshipCampaign InitiativesUPHS Clinical CareBiomedical Research

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 the vision, strategy, and priorities for an integrated, multidisciplinary communications function
Support Leadership Communications, Alumni Relations, UPHS Clinical Care, Abramson Cancer Center, Campaign Initiatives, Biomedical Research, and Operations teams
Lead communications, marketing strategies, and stewardship supporting Penn Medicine's 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 development communications, stewardship, and digital media efforts across PMDAR
Set goals and best practices, respond to 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, analytics, and program success
Lead Penn Medicine's comprehensive stewardship program and review and approve materials
Collaborate with DAR Communications, UPHS Marketing, PR, and other teams
Advise senior PMDAR leaders on strategic communications, leadership messaging, and sensitive or emerging issues
Lead special communications projects and initiatives for University and Penn Medicine leadership
Report directly to the 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 related field
Master's degree 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 for consideration
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 resources, libraries, athletic facilities, arboretum, art galleries, museums, cultural and recreational activities
Discounts and special services for arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, cars, cellular phone plans, movie tickets, and theme parks
Flexible work options and flexible work hours
Forgivable home ownership loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia
Adoption assistance for qualified expenses, for up to two adoptions in the household