Senior Associate Director, Strategic Projects, Wharton Research, Centers and Academic Initiatives

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

Senior Associate Director, Strategic Projects, Wharton Research, Centers and Academic Initiatives

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D

Job Description Summary

Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Dean of Research, Centers and Academic Initiatives, Wharton’s six research pillars, including the newly established Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI), serve as a hub for exchange and study where faculty, students, and members of the business community address pressing global business challenges.  Their work generates courses, academic programs, community outreach, working papers, published research, and partnerships among academics, industry, and government. 

Job Description

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Senior Associate Director supports the Senior Vice Dean of Research, Centers and Academic Initiatives and senior leadership of the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative in the development and implementation of the strategic goals and priorities of these two high-impact areas within The Wharton School. 

Research, Centers and Academic Initiatives responsibilities: 
• Coordinate and manage high-impact strategic projects to foster cross-collaboration efforts across 20+ academic research centers and initiatives.
• Develop and maintain best practices, shared processes, and policies that support efforts to improve and amplify the work of research centers at Wharton. Work with various departments across Wharton to promote collaboration and implement streamlined processes in the areas of fundraising, marketing and communications, HR and financial processes. 
• Provide project management support to research initiatives, including developing and expanding resources for faculty, PhD students, Post-Docs and Pre-Docs at Wharton. 
• Coordinate and execute meeting logistics, and prepare meeting agendas and project briefs as needed.

Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative responsibilities: <