Media Relations Manager

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

Media Relations Manager

Job Profile Title

Manager C, Arts and Media

Job Description Summary

The Media Relations Manager will implement a media relations and reputation management strategy encompassing campus, local, national, and international media for the Office of University Communications. Reporting to the Director of Media Relations, the Manager will also support the department’s high-volume inbound media inquiries and issues management for Penn. This role will assist in developing messages and talking points, working closely with campus spokespeople and administrative departments to understand Penn’s priorities. This role also includes working collaboratively with communications directors in Penn’s schools, centers, and institutes to encourage more active pitching of their story ideas.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Develop strong relationships with reporters, editors, and producers, enhancing University Communications’ reputation for reliability and prompt responses.
• Regularly identify, develop, and proactively pitch stories to the media. This includes not only stories produced in University Communications but from other communications offices as well.
• Write and distribute press releases.
• Respond to inquiries from the media and facilitate interviews with experts.
• Draft statements and coordinate responses to media on a variety of issues.
• Be attuned to topics in the news so as to proactively pitch appropriate Penn experts quickly while story lines are highly active.
• Coordinate daily and weekly Penn Today newsletters by drafting newsletter blurbs, selecting photographs, and disseminating newsletters.
• As a member of the media relations team, staff media tables, special events and escort media on campus, as needed.
• Oversee media reports, measure impact, and monitor trends through Meltwater.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 5 to 7 years of experience in media relations roles, preferably in higher education, or experience as a journalist.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills.  
• Demonstrated ability to work on deadline in fast-paced, high-pressure situations. 
• Ability and willingness to work non-traditional work hours, including nights and weekends.    
• Availability to be on-call and on campus for emergencies and crisis communications response.
• Experience with Meltwater, MailChimp, Canto, Wrike, and Google Analytics.
• On-the-record experience with print, digital, and broadcast media a plus.

Application Requirement:  

In addition to a resume/CV, a cover letter is required to be considered for this position. Multiple documents are allowed. 

Hybrid Eligible: 

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a maximum of two days working remotely. 

About University Communications: 

University Communications is Penn’s central office for University news, media relations, visual identity, and public affairs. The office expands and enhances Penn’s visibility locally, nationally, and internationally, while promoting and reinforcing Penn’s reputation as a world-renowned research university. University Communications tells Penn’s story, highlighting the accomplishments of faculty, staff, and students across myriad communications platforms, both traditional and emerging.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

President's Center

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $95,000.00 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 

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