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

Associate Director, Education Entrepreneurship Program, Penn GSE

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Academic Affairs

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director (AD) is responsible for the management of global academic programs in education entrepreneurship and innovation.

The AD is responsible for overseeing and supporting a range of academic programs and initiatives. The portfolio includes GSE’s (1) Education Entrepreneurship Master’s Program, (2) Dual-degree Program with The Wharton School, (3) Global Certificate Programs in Education Innovation, (4) Jacobs Foundation’s Impact Prize and Fellowship Program, and (5) a new Global Scholarship and Engagement Program. This position will lead academic systems development, alignment, support, and improvement. They will continuously run program experiments that test new elements and incorporate learnings and best practice. The position also will regularly build feedback mechanisms that capture and manage data to improve the student, staff, and faculty experience.

The Associate Director will help manage a global learning ecosystem including the following:

• An executive-format master’s program of 50 students who join high-flex programs.

• A dual-degree master’s program with students in the Wharton School’s traditional MBA.

• A faculty of 35+ instructors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and others from 4 Penn schools (education, business, engineering, and design) and various industries.

• An ecosystem of 400 education entrepreneurship alumni.

• A grant program supporting Jacobs Foundation Impact Prize Winners, Fellows, and Alumni

• A new award program supporting global scholars and engagement initiatives.

• A series of global certificate programs with hundreds of learners, international partners, and faculty.

• Other opportunities, as defined.

This position also will work closely with the Director and Steering Committee on executing a comprehensive, integrated, strategic vision and growth plan. They will lead academic systems development, alignment, and improvement. They will continuously run program experiments that test new elements and incorporate learnings and best practice. The position also will regularly build feedback mechanisms that capture and manage data to improve the student, staff, and faculty experience. Some evenings and weekends will be required. Occasional travel required, primarily domestic.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Academic: Oversee program management, supervision, design, optimization, and review across programs and initiatives. Provide a range of leadership and support services to 35+ instructors.

• Business Development: Lead admissions for programs including co-development of strategic plans, workflows, lead generation, data, and reporting.

• Student and Alumni Ecosystem: Address critical policy issues impacting students; enhance global networks and PD opportunities to provide connectivity and resources across programs and initiatives.

• Financial management: manage multiple budgets totaling 3 million and work with Director to create new revenue streams to add resources for student aid and R&D for academic innovation projects.

• Technology & Design: Responsible for leadership and design innovation to support a range of high-flex learning models which include in-person, blended and virtual delivery across the globe.

• Strategic Leadership: work closely with the Director and Steering Committee on building a global brand using market intelligence, stakeholder assessments, and business model innovation.

• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• A Master’s degree and 2-3 years of experience is required or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated experience in high-level program administration and academic program development, including proven skills in management, finance, marketing, customer relations, technology, and data management.

• Demonstrated understanding of current and future trends in core content domains such as education, business, technology, and higher education, and awareness of the interests of working professionals in these areas.

• Proven ability to be innovative in approaches to challenges ranging from user experience issues to technology integration, curricular design, and global customer engagement.

• Can demonstrate excellent need-finding and problem-solving skills and think strategically about new opportunities.

• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders including students, staff, senior administrators, faculty, funders, and industry experts.

• Proven abilities to be an agile thinker able to juggle multiple, complex responsibilities and domains.

• Demonstrated skills in managing a diverse workforce via both in-person and remote teams and ability to foster a positive work environment.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed and serve as essential staff in emergencies.

  PREFERRED:

• A Doctorate, progress toward a Doctorate, and/or a Master’s in Higher Education/Leadership, Management, Entrepreneurship, or related area, is preferred.

• At least 7 years of experience is preferred.

All applicants must submit a cover letter.

Penn GSE actively seeks and welcomes people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities, to apply.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Graduate School of Education

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $85,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.