Managing Director, Penn Medicine Nudge Unit

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

Managing Director, Penn Medicine Nudge Unit

Job Profile Title

Director D, Research

Job Description Summary

The Penn Medicine Nudge Unit is currently recruiting a talented, motivated, and proven leader to be its Managing Director. Join a collaborative, impactful, and mission-driven team working to improve health outcomes and effect systemic change at Penn Medicine and across the healthcare industry.

The Nudge Unit is a joint venture between the Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Transformation and Innovation (CHTI) and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE). Founded in 2016, the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit is the world's first behavioral design team embedded within a health system. We leverage insights from behavioral and implementation science to design, implement, evaluate, and scale nudges that steer medical decision-making toward higher-value care, improved patient outcomes, and more equitable healthcare delivery. Our vision is a future where the right choice the easy choice.

The Nudge Unit has worked on 100+ projects, testing interventions in health systems and over 25 randomized trials. Our work has resulted in over 100 publications in leading medical journals such as NEJM, JAMA, Nature, and PNAS. The Nudge Unit currently supports a broad portfolio of projects to improve care within Penn Medicine as well as an extramurally funded program of research aimed at improving acute care and the prevention of overdoses and injuries. Our interventions often use electronic health records, automated text messaging, smartphone apps, and other digital interventions to change behavior.

Position contingent upon funding.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• STAFF MANAGEMENT:

• Serve as the “chief of staff” for NU operational and research staff (currently 6 direct reports, total of 13 staff) and facilitate a culture of learning and growth among the team.
• Direct and manage staff and interns, with responsibilities including recruitment, training, coaching, and performance evaluation and management.
  • Assist staff in developing measurable performance goals/objectives, in alignment with Nudge, CHTI, health system, and program objectives, to ensure direct reports clearly understand expectations and responsibilities.
  • Direct staff in problem solving, conflict resolution, and process improvements.
  • Allocate staffing and other essential resources across the project portfolio; help ensure projects are clearly scoped and operationally feasible
  • Manage staff coverage for active projects during staff vacations, sick calls, and urgent situations, or provide interim coverage as necessary.
• Facilitate team meetings to ensure proper execution of study-related responsibilities and deliverables to meet key milestones.
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