Associate Director, Marketing Content & Communications - Wharton Executive Education

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

Associate Director, Marketing Content & Communications - Wharton Executive Education

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Business and Finance, Communications and Marketing

Job Description Summary

Wharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Department Overview
Wharton Executive Education Marketing supports the growth, visibility, and customer experience of Wharton Executive Education's portfolio, including Open Enrollment, Wharton Online, and Custom Programs. The team partners across program, revenue, business development, digital, creative, content, lifecycle, and analytics functions to build awareness, generate demand, and support enrollment and organizational growth.

The Associate Director of Marketing Content & Communications manages the development and execution of integrated marketing content across Wharton Executive Education's portfolio. Reporting to the Director of Marketing Communications, this role contributes to editorial planning and brings the Wharton Executive Education brand to life through high-quality storytelling across marketing channels.

Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, the Associate Director develops compelling, accurate, and brand-aligned content that communicates the value and impact of Wharton Executive Education programs. The role requires exceptional writing and editorial judgment, fluency across digital channels, and the ability to manage complex content initiatives from concept through launch --while also supporting ongoing content maintenance and high-priority updates that help keep our marketing and program materials current.

Job Description

Position Summary

• Identify and develop compelling stories that highlight Wharton Executive Education programs, participant experiences, faculty perspectives, and organizational partnerships.  
• Draft and edit high-quality marketing content across web, email, paid media copy and campaign assets, social media copy, scripts, reports, and sales/business development materials. 
• Lead ongoing development, editing, and maintenance of program webpages across the Executive Education portfolio to ensure messaging clarity, accuracy, and alignment with program positioning, including timely updates and ongoing content hygiene. 
• Own day-to-day content maintenance across the website and program materials, including FAQs, policy updates, course pack edits, faculty title changes, and other time-sensitive updates that support a consistent and accurate learner experience. 
• Maintain and evolve core messaging frameworks and approved “copy blocks” (value props, proof points, outcomes, CTAs) to support consistent positioning across channels and efficient campaign execution. 
• Support story development by participating in interviews and input sessions with faculty, clients, participants, internal stakeholders, and staff to capture insights that illustrate program impact. 
• Partner with the web and digital teams to refine page structure, messaging flow, and user experience, while contributing to content optimization strategies including search engine optimization (SEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO). 
• Partner with the Multimedia Director on video and webinar storytelling by supporting narrative development (e.g., story angles, interview prep, scripting support, key message alignment) and ensuring multimedia assets are supported by accompanying web/email/social copy as needed. 
• Draft and refine sales/business development and stakeholder-facing content such as outreach scripts/talking points, pitch decks, one-pagers, and program messaging summaries, in coordination with Director, Marketing Communications and BD partners. 
• Support lifecycle communications beyond top-of-funnel marketing --such as post-application nurture, enrollment follow-up, and post-program communications --by drafting copy and maintaining reusable content modules that can be leveraged across journeys. 
• Serve as an editorial partner to marketing colleagues, program teams, and business units in shaping how programs and initiatives are communicated.
• Manage timelines and deliverables across multiple concurrent content initiatives while maintaining high editorial standards for accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment. 
• Serve as a key marketing content partner for Wharton Online collaborator programs, ensuring messaging, approvals, and brand guidelines are consistently applied across channels. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required in communications, marketing, journalism, English, or a related field, with 3-5 years of professional experience in content development, editorial, or marketing communications roles, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Demonstrated expertise in writing and storytelling across digital marketing channels, including website content, campaign assets, social media, and multimedia formats. 
• Experience managing and editing website content and collaborating with web teams on user experience, content structure, and optimization initiatives. 
• Experience supporting multimedia storytelling initiatives such as video development, including scripting, narrative development, or content planning. 
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to translate complex program concepts and stakeholder input into clear, engaging content for executive audiences. 
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders including faculty, internal teams, clients, and program participants. 
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards for editorial quality, accuracy, and brand alignment. 
• Experience producing content in a fast-moving environment with frequent updates and multiple stakeholders, including content maintenance, approvals, and version control across web and marketing materials. 

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$77,330.00 - $81,000.00 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, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be 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