Senior Staff Writer, SAS Advancement

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

Senior Staff Writer, SAS Advancement

Job Profile Title

Staff Writer D

Job Description Summary

The Senior Staff Writer is a critical member of the School of Arts and Sciences communications team, working closely with the Vice Dean and Chief of Staff of the School’s Office of the Dean, and reporting to the Director of Advancement Communications in the School’s Office of Advancement. The Senior Staff Writer supports the broader communication needs of the Office of the Dean across a variety of contexts including reports, presentations, and internal School messages. The Senior Staff Writer also collaborates within the SASOA editorial team to contribute stories highlighting faculty accomplishment for the School website and campus publications, and providing quality control of materials produced within SASOA communications, screening for errors and consistent application of house style. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to adapt to varied writing formats and will have a portfolio that demonstrates sensitivity to the differences in tone and style required by different contexts. The Senior Staff Writer must develop a strong understanding of the School’s goals, priorities, and key messages and have the ability to work efficiently and tactfully with faculty, staff, and administrators across the University.

Job Description

Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences’ Office of Advancement is committed to the advancement, promotion and support of the strategic agenda of the School through fundraising and public relations efforts. 

The Advancement office strives to enhance the quality, reputation and financial strength of the School by securing critical resources to support existing and new initiatives and by building a full appreciation of SAS faculty, students, and initiatives through a broad range of media and programs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead Writer for SAS Office of the Dean:

• Draft reports and other documents for internal audiences including senior University administration.
• Prepare a variety presentations and written materials for internal meetings involving faculty, administrators, and School volunteer boards.
• Draft remarks for use at School meetings, campus events, and other public programs.
• Draft correspondence and messages from the Office of the Dean to the internal school community and collaborate with SASOA leadership on alumni messages.

Content Creation:

• Write features and other articles in a variety of formats for print and digital editions of School alumni magazine
• Write short news items for the School website.
• Draft news announcements of faculty awards and honors for School website and other campus publications.

Editorial Support: 

• Develop and maintain up-to-date bios for School leadership and faculty members as needed.
• Provide proofreading and other editorial support for general communications initiatives.

Web content management: 

• Provide support to other designated areas of the School of Arts and Sciences website, ensuring content is accurate and up-to-date, and reflects appropriate style.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree and 5 to 7 years of professional writing experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required, with a strong preference for candidates with prior experience in higher education. Excellent copyediting/proofreading skills, along with professional judgment, the ability to balance multiple concurrent priorities, and the ability to communicate with tact and sensitivity with a broad range of constituencies including donors, faculty and senior administrators. Proficient with Microsoft Suite, with a high level of proficiency in Word and Powerpoint; experience with website editing using content management systems a plus. Successful candidates must be highly organized, with a proven ability to work effectively in a large, complex institutional setting. Successful candidates will also reflect the core operating values of the SAS Office of Advancement, which include: demonstrated mutual commitment to excellence; professionalism, creativity and adaptability; respect for the roles and responsibilities of individual members of the SASOA team; a collaborative and collegial style, and transparency in communication. 

• 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.**

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

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

• 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 

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