Associate Director, Scholarly & Professional Development

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, Scholarly & Professional Development

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Student Services

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director, Scholarly and Professional Development is Penn First Plus’s lead on the expanded suite of resources and programming that support the first-generation and/or limited-income undergraduate population’s access to all of the opportunities a Penn education offers. Specifically, as a part of this role, the incumbent: partners closely with Career Services, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, Graduate Schools, Alumni Relations, and Faculty to provide developmental programming that addresses undergraduates’ scholarly and career development; provides day-to-day oversight of Penn First Plus’s emergency and opportunity funding resources that support access to scholarly and professional preparation; supports our work with case management of individual undergraduates and their financial needs; and coordinates professional development for our team of graduate student workers.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• In partnership with Financial Aid and University Life, manage Penn First Plus’s suite of supplemental grant programs designed to make the opportunities of a Penn Education more accessible (e.g. Career Launch; Graduate School Preparation; Academic Conferences; Professional Clothing; Basic Needs; Emergency Funding; etc.), consulting with the Executive Director on precedent while tracking and reporting on expenditures and assisting with donor stewardship
• Engage in partnerships with Career Services, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, Graduate Schools, Alumni Relations, and Faculty to provide developmental programming that addresses students’ scholarly and career development
• Partner with the Undergraduate Schools, University Life, Financial Aid, and Wellness in advising and supporting immediate student needs, advising and occasionally shepherding students
• Supervise a subset of Penn First Plus’s graduate student staff and develop the on-boarding training for all
• Collaborate with and support the Executive Director and Faculty Directors on organizational development programs that enhance the capacity of faculty and staff to educate and advise a socioeconomically diverse student population
• Provide support for summer bridge and new student programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required (Master's Degree strongly preferred)
• 3-5 years of experience in higher education advising students and developing student-centered programs required
• Demonstrable experience in coaching students toward scholarly and/or professional goals
• Pr