Sr. Associate Director—Strategic Initiative and Academic Programming (SIAP), The Wharton School

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

Sr. Associate Director—Strategic Initiative and Academic Programming (SIAP), The Wharton School

Job Profile Title

Associate Director E, Student Services, Academic Programs

Job Description Summary

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 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 worldwide 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 diverse staff population representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Sr Associate Director—Strategic Initiative and Academic Programming (SIAP) position reports to the Deputy Vice-Dean of Academic Affairs and plays a pivotal role in advancing strategic goals and initiatives in the office. The Sr Associate Director - SIAP's primary responsibilities are (i) to lead department initiatives on large-scale projects, both internal and divisional, and integrate new technology and business analytics into academic operations to enhance office productivity, provide strategic insights to staff and senior management, and ultimately elevate the student experience. In this capacity, the Sr Associate Director will partner with the administration, faculty, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective execution, develop and maintain shared policies, guidance, and procedures; and (ii) develop and coordinate the MBA academic calendar and curricular offerings. In addition, the Sr Associate Director is a member of the MBA advising team, which leads the delivery of the Wharton MBA program.

Job Description

The preferred candidate possesses a track record of effectively managing academic system implementations and transitions, and a proven record of strong leadership, organizational, presentation, and communication skills.  The ability to collaborate across diverse teams is essential.  An MBA or a Master in Education is preferred.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead department initiatives on large-scale projects, both internal and divisional.

• Integrate new technology and business analytics into academic operations to enhance office productivity, provide strategic insights to staff and senior management, and ultimately elevate the student experience.  Manage academic system implementations and transitions.

• Partner with the administration, faculty, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective execution, develop and maintain shared policies, guidance, and procedures.

• Develop and coordinate the MBA academic calendar and MBAPO curricular offerings.

• Actively contributes to the successful delivery of the Wharton MBA as a member of the MBA advising team.

• Supervise two direct reports: One Data Scientist and one SSF Coordinator.

Qualifications

• A minimum of