Senior Communications Specialist, Wharton AI & Analytics

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 Communications Specialist, Wharton AI & Analytics

Job Profile Title

Communications Specialist Senior

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.

The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) advances cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence and data science in business through innovative research, educational programming, and engagement with industry leaders. WAIAI supports faculty research, student learning, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships exploring AI’s impact on business and society.

Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Communications, the Senior Communications Specialist will serve as a senior content producer and communications generalist, helping to execute WAIAI’s marketing and communications strategy and address strategic and creative needs across the team. Working in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment, this individual will translate WAIAI’s research, programs, events, and thought leadership into compelling, accessible content for industry leaders, students, alumni, business professionals, and other priority audiences. The successful candidate will bring strong editorial judgment, digital expertise, and creative problem-solving skills while partnering with faculty, staff, affiliated centers, and communications colleagues across Wharton to manage multiple projects from concept through delivery.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling, audience-focused content that translates complex faculty and student research, programs, and thought leadership into clear and engaging narratives. Produce and adapt content across formats, including articles, interviews, newsletters, web and landing-page copy, email campaigns, graphics, social media, video, and print materials.
   
• Lead content strategy and production for the web presence of WAIAI and its affiliated centers, improving content organization, design quality, user experience, accessibility, and alignment with strategic priorities. Create, edit, publish, and maintain accurate and timely website content using WordPress and related tools.
   
• Apply search engine optimization, analytics, and AI content optimization practices to increase the visibility and discoverability of WAIAI’s research, programs, events, and thought leadership across traditional and emerging search platforms. Use performance data and audience insights to recommend and implement improvements.
   
• Develop and execute strategic social media and digital amplification efforts that engage priority audiences and extend the reach of WAIAI’s work. Identify opportunities to adapt and repurpose research, event, and program content across channels to maximize its reach, relevance, and useful life.
   
• Uphold and refine WAIAI’s editorial standards, narrative storytelling, and brand voice, ensuring that communications are consistent, accessible, and aligned with Wharton brand guidelines. Contribute creative ideas and sound editorial judgment to strengthen the quality and impact of WAIAI’s communications.
   
• Collaborate closely with the WAIAI marketing team and a diverse network of faculty, staff, students, affiliated centers, and communications colleagues across Wharton. Manage multiple communications projects from concept through delivery, coordinating stakeholders, timelines, reviews, and deliverables in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment.
   

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree and 5-7 years of experience are required or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
   
• Demonstrated experience producing high-quality content across web, email, social media, video, print, and other digital channels.
   
• Exceptional writing, editing, interviewing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to make complex or technical subject matter accessible and engaging.
   
• Experience with web content strategy, content management systems, search engine optimization, digital accessibility, and user-centered content design.
   
• Strong understanding of social media strategy, audience engagement, content amplification, and digital marketing practices.
   
• Experience using analytics and performance data to evaluate content effectiveness and inform communications decisions.
   
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to maintain a consistent narrative voice while working within established institutional brand standards.
   
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines with attention to detail, responsiveness, and sound judgment.
   
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with senior leaders, faculty, communications professionals, and other internal and external stakeholders.
   

• Proficiency with WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, email marketing platforms, and social media management tools. 
   
  Preferred Qualifications:
   

• Familiarity with AI-enabled content, research, and optimization tools is preferred.
   

• Experience communicating academic research, emerging technologies, business topics, or other complex subject matter is preferred.
  
  Important Information:
   
  Applicants must submit a cover letter to be considered for this role.
  
  The anticipated salary range for this position is between: $77,500 - $85,000.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$77,330.00 - $82,000.00 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