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

Assistant Director of Communications for Penn Relays & Penn Cross-Country/Track & Field

Job Profile Title

Associate Director B, Arts and Media, Communications and Marketing

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director of Communications (Penn Relays & Penn Cross-Country/Track & Field) will plan and manage communications initiatives year-round for the Penn Relays and positively promote the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and administrators of the Penn Men’s & Women’s Cross-Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field teams. The position will also promote the brand-new Ott Center for Track and Field, a start of the art 200 meter banked indoor track and field center scheduled to open in December of 2024. The Assistant Director will promote the Penn Relays, Penn Cross-Country/Track & Field, and the Ott Center through social media, written releases, video content, and marketing materials. This position will coordinate media and photographer logistics, as well as update statistics, records, and archives. Expected to support broadcast partnership operations for Penn Relays and the Ott Center, perform related special projects as assigned, and recruit and manage a team of interns to meet programmatic goals. Although working specifically with the sport of cross-country/track and field, this position will be required to work with and adhere to the operational and thematic standards of many divisional departments such as communications, marketing, creative/video content, Penn Sports Network, Penn Champions Club, Penn Sports Properties (JMI Sports), facilities, operations, and ticketing. This position reports to and receives direct administrative supervision and guidance from the Associate Director of Penn Relays. Receives indirect supervision from the Director of Cross-Country/Track & Field and Senior Associate Athletic Director of External Operations.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Plan and manage communication initiatives year round for the Penn Relays, including but not limited to: creating & implementing social media plan, capturing & creating content, leading annual & event specific marketing/promotions plan, writing press releases, updating websites & apps, monitoring & updating social media accounts during events, organizing press conferences, coordinating media access, coordinating event photographers, managing media room(s) & "mixed zones", enforcing media policies, coordinating logistical needs for live results/records, etc.

• Positively promote the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and administrators for Penn Men's & Women's Cross-Country, Indoor Track & Field, and Outdoor Track & Field. Manage elements of social media output, including a heavy focus on creative story-telling opportunities for Penn Athletics and team-related accounts for Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, pennathletics.com, etc. Write season & competition previews & recaps. Coordinate media days & headshots. Coordinate all media interaction with the programs' student-athletes & coaches. Coordinate event needs. Maintain all statistics, records, & archives. Support DRIA departmental needs for associated sports working with communications, marketing, creative content, video content, Penn Sports Network, Penn Champions Club, Penn Sports Properties (JMI Sports), facilities, operations, & ticketing.

• Promote the brand new Ott Center for Track and Field, a state of the art 200 meter banked indoor track and field center scheduled to open in December 2024. Create digital, print, and video content to be used as marketing materials promoting the facility, its programs, & availability to be used by the local and regional community. Create and implement social media plan for upcoming events & results. Coordinate any media requests & operations as required.

• Support broadcast partnership operations for streaming and linear television for Penn Relays & the Ott Center. Implement annual collaborative marketing plan, manage contracted relationships, and work with JMI Sports to fulfill broadcasting sponsorship elements. Develop and provide content or programming as required, which may include securing talent and/or interview subjects.

• Perform special projects as assigned (website re-designs, building Penn Relays app content/notifications, award dedications, historical content features, photo/exhibit gallery additions, writing pa script pieces, etc.)

• Recruit & manage team of interns designed to support communication needs year round and during events.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required and 2-3 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A degree with an emphasis in sports management, marketing, English, or communications is preferred.

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics

Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $55,000.00 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

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on 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.