Director of Digital and Creative Strategy

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

Director of Digital and Creative Strategy

Job Profile Title

Director B, Business and Finance, Communications and Marketing

Job Description Summary

• Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Communications, the Director of Digital and Creative Strategy at Penn Dental Medicine will serve as a senior-level role that blends creative talent with digital strategy, web architecture, technical implementation, and data-driven communications. Penn Dental Medicine seeks a visionary and technically adept individual who will be responsible for elevating Penn Dental Medicine's visual brand identity across all platforms, publications, practices, and divisions — ensuring a cohesive, compelling, and consistent look and feel that reflects the institution's excellence.
• This role requires exceptional judgment, strategic thinking, collaboration, and the ability to manage complex initiatives and functions in a fast-paced academic environment.

Job Description

Brand Leadership & Visual Identity

• •Leads the development, governance, and evolution of Penn Dental Medicine's visual brand, ensuring adherence to the University of Pennsylvania's brand guidelines, while developing a distinct aesthetic for Penn Dental Medicine ensuring a cohesive brand experience across a complex portfolio of audiences and channels.
• •Establish a clear, consistent visual identity system across all assets produced by and for Penn Dental Medicine.
• •Develop and maintain a comprehensive brand standards guide specific to Penn Dental Medicine's communications ecosystem.
• •Lead all creative development for high profile and milestone celebration(s), including branding, environmental, digital and print materials.

Penn Dental Medicine Journal

Oversee design and art direction for the Penn Dental Medicine Journal, a high-profile print publication produced twice annually.

Web development, strategy, and design

• •Lead the digital and visual strategy for Penn Dental Medicine's web properties. Ensure websites and digital platforms support institutional, academic, research, clinical, admissions, advancement, and reputational objectives.
• •Build, maintain, and optimize web properties using Drupal and WordPress (and other open-source CMS platforms as needed).
• •Apply strong UI/UX principles to all digital properties to ensure accessibility, usability, and visual consistency.
• •Partner with IT and web development staff on technical implementation and site governance.

Digital Communications

• •Leverage Salesforce and related marketing cloud tools to support data-driven communications strategies, audience segmentation, and campaign tracking.
• •Utilize Slate (Technolutions) to support strategic marketing and communications.

Partnerships

• •Serve as Penn Dental Medicine's lead creative representative in cross-university creative and communications networks.
• •Collaborate actively with creative directors, designers, and communication leaders across Penn's schools and centers to share best practices and pursue collaborative opportunities.

Project Management and Data Analysis

• •Manage multiple concurrent design projects from concept through final delivery, maintaining high standards of quality and consistency.
• •Develop and manage creative briefs, project timelines, and stakeholder review processes.
• •Use web analytics, audience insights, user behavior, and performance data to evaluate digital experiences and inform ongoing improvements to content, design, navigation and engagement.

Other duties as assigned

Provide and maintain expertise in innovative solutions focused on the responsible stewardship of Penn Dental Medicine and its community experience.

Qualifications

• •Bachelor’s degree and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
• •Strategist with flexibility and adaptability with high technical aptitude preferred

• •Expert proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat) for both print and digital deliverables
• •Demonstrated experience with web design and technical requirements using Drupal and/or WordPress
• •Demonstrated technical fluency to work with developers, IT teams, and external technology partners, including working knowledge of HTML, CSS and responsive design principles
• •Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and inclusive design practices
• •Experience with Salesforce (Marketing Cloud or equivalent) and/or Slate for digital communications, audience management, and campaign deployment
• •Proven ability to manage large-scale, multi-channel creative campaigns from strategy through execution
• •Strong portfolio demonstrating range across print, digital, web, environmental, and brand identity work
• •Deep understanding of and experience with institutional brand standards and visual identity systems
• •Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; ability to lead creative conversations with senior stakeholders

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Application requirements

Resume and cover letter

A portfolio submission demonstrating excellence in print, digital, and environmental design

Department / School

School of Dental Medicine

Pay Range

$92,592.00 - $105,000.00 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