Deputy Director, Annenberg Public Policy Center

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

Deputy Director, Annenberg Public Policy Center

Job Profile Title

Director C, Academic Affairs

Job Description Summary

About APPC:
A premier communication policy center founded in 1993 by Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg, APPC’s mission is producing cutting-edge communication science and increasing the impact of communication scholarship to improve public well-being. APPC generates and translates research to advance public understanding and policy at the local, state, and national levels through research divisions and institutes in: communication science; institutions of democracy; climate communication; science of science communication; civics; and health and risk; as well as APPC’s FactCheck.org project and the Annenberg Center for Advanced Study in Communication (ACASC).

Working closely with the APPC Director (to whom this position will report), the Deputy Director will support and assist with research and implementation of APPC’s strategic priorities and vision within and outside of Penn. The Deputy Director will monitor, report, and present APPC’s progress to stakeholders, potential partners, and internal and external audiences, and be responsible for the development of research and strategic partnerships both across and outside of the University to further APPC’s goals.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain an active program of collaborative or independent research in an area relevant to APPC.
• Work with the APPC Director to launch and administer initiatives to foster innovative research, including publicizing grant opportunities, managing review and selection of grant proposals, and publicizing grant deliverables and results.
• Build and sustain transdisciplinary partnerships to promote APPC’s mission at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. Effectively communicate with a wide audience of interdisciplinary faculty researchers, practitioners, administrators, policy makers, and community stakeholders, including writing APPC activity reports, convening groups, and preparing and delivering presentations about APPC activities for diverse audiences.
• Help the director run the day-to-day activities of the center, including budgets, reports, and infrastructure.
• Represent APPC at scientific meetings, convenings, and other events to promote APPC’s mission and work and build its network.
• Supervise APPC personnel.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

 

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Arts, and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A PhD in a behavioral or social science (e.g., psychology, communication, sociology, political science) or in computer/information science is strongly preferred.
• Success in developing and disseminating research.
• Experience in a research university, an understanding of academic scientific administration, and a proven track record of successful research in this setting desirable.
• Excellent public speaking and verbal communication skills, able to communicate well and at varying levels of technical/academic detail with diverse audiences, including students, staff, faculty, post-docs, community, industry, and government stakeholders, and the public.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing more junior staff is desirable.

 

Position term – This is a term-limited position with an initial 5-year term ending June 30, 2031. Extension is contingent on funding and other factors.

 

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following documents via Workday. Multiple attachments are permitted.

• • Curriculum Vitae
  • Cover Letter
  • Research paper. Multiple writing samples permitted.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Annenberg School for Communication

Pay Range

$95,136.00 - $120,000.00 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