Director of Partnerships and Strategic Operations

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 Partnerships and Strategic Operations

Job Profile Title

Director B, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration

Job Description Summary

In this key role, the Director of Partnerships and Strategic Operations will drive corporate engagement, global strategy, and stakeholder relations for the Wharton School, directly supporting the Dean’s Office. Reporting to the Dean’s Chief of Staff, this leadership role focuses on developing corporate partnerships, managing strategic projects, and aligning global strategies with institutional goals.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Corporate Partnership Development: Collaborate with the CMCO to create and deliver a holistic corporate engagement strategy. Build relationships with corporate partners and manage the strategic partnership pipeline.

• Leadership Engagement: Work closely with senior leadership to facilitate corporate fundraising and enhance partnership activation.

• Global Strategy Execution: Lead the execution of global engagement initiatives, identifying collaboration opportunities with academic and corporate partners worldwide.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Design strategies to support the Dean’s stakeholder engagement goals, collaborating with external affairs and institutional partners.

• Engagement Audits: Develop metrics and reporting processes to evaluate partnerships and provide insights to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• A BA/BS and 5-7 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• Proven experience in partnership development, corporate engagement, or strategic operations.

• Strong leadership and project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across senior leadership roles.

• Excellent communication and relationship management abilities.

• Experience working in a glob