Event Operations Manager, Wharton San Francisco

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

Event Operations Manager, Wharton San Francisco

Job Profile Title

Manager C, Arts and Media, Events

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. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic staff population representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Wharton San Francisco (WSF) is the West Coast campus of the world’s leading business school, serving as a hub for learning, innovation, and industry connections. Our mission is to support education, act as a connector, and amplify the Wharton brand through high-impact programs and events. Our dynamic Embarcadero location offers stunning views of the Bay Bridge, a vibrant professional ecosystem, and proximity to major tech and business hubs. The San Francisco campus provides an inspiring environment for collaboration, networking, and innovation, making it an incredible place to work and engage with leaders from various industries.

The Event Operations Manager plays a crucial role in advancing WSF’s mission by developing and executing a strategic event vision that enhances engagement, drives revenue, and maximizes facility utilization. This position requires both strategic planning and hands-on execution, ensuring that every event and class session reflects Wharton’s excellence and strengthens its presence in the Bay Area.
The Event Operations Manager is responsible for developing and executing the strategic vision for events at Wharton San Francisco while also being hands-on and on-site during events to ensure seamless execution. This role ensures that events align with Wharton’s mission, enhance engagement, drive revenue, and maximize the use of WSF’s facilities. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple moving pieces in a dynamic campus environment.

In addition to event strategy and execution, this position manages core academic scheduling and classroom operations for the San Francisco campus, including room assignments and coordination with faculty and program staff. By overseeing planning, logistics, vendor relationships, and class scheduling, the Event Operations Manager plays a key role in delivering high-quality, mission-driven, and financially sustainable events and programs.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Event Strategy & Planning – Develop a long-term event strategy that aligns with Wharton’s academic, alumni, and industry engagement goals.
• Revenue & Facility Optimization – Identify and imple