Associate Director, Academic Experience and Programming, Wharton

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, Academic Experience and Programming, Wharton

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 both 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 from around the world 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 dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Job Description

Summary

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives and Academic Programming (AD-SIAP), the Associate Director E—Academic Experience and Programming (AD-AEP) — supports in developing and administering the MBA Academic Affairs Office's strategy for MBA students' academic experience and programming. The AD-AEP, in collaboration with AD-SIAP, works in close partnership with faculty, administration, and University offices to provide strategic oversight of the planning, management, and implementation of key academic programming and experiences for students in the MBA program. The AD-AEP also assists in developing and maintaining comprehensive policies, guidance, and procedures related to the academic programming and experience portfolio.
 
As a key member of the MBA academic advising team, the AD-AEP also contributes to the overall delivery of the Wharton MBA program and provides direct academic advising to students. This includes independently assessing student needs, providing academic guidance, and developing advising strategies. Additionally, this role will contribute to identifying challenges, designing solutions, and implementing advising initiatives to promote effective and efficient academic advising.
 
The AD-AEP serves as the key point of contact and designated representative from the MBA Academic Affairs team in planning and executing essential programming, including hallmark events such as MBA Pre-Term and MBA Commencement, as well as various other student engagements (ex. Academic Honors Reception). This role is also responsible for assessing and determining opportunities for future programming, creating visibility of the MBA Academic Affairs Office to the Wharton community. This role requires detailed program scheduling, representing the priorities of the MBA Academic Affairs Office while collaborating with multiple offices across the division.
 
The AD-AEP will also support department initiatives on large-scale projects—both internal and divisional—while integrating new technology and business analytics into academic operations. By enhancing office productivity, providing strategic insights to the MBA Program Office, and improving the student experience, this role requires strong quantitative skills and a data-driven approach.
 
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills are essential. There is also an expectation of demonstrated competency in reporting and data-driven analyses. Experience in event planning is highly desirable. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. Preferred qualifications include an MBA, JD, or a Master’s degree in Education.

Duties

• Serves as a member of the MBA academic advising team, directly advising students. Independently assesses student needs, provide academic guidance, and develops advising strategies. Contributes to identifying challenges, designing solutions (workshops, tutorials, other resources), and implementing advising initiatives to promote effective and efficient academic advising.
 
• Liaises and partners with the administration, students, faculty, and University offices to ensure alignment and effective execution of the MBA student academic experience, develop and maintain shared policies, guidance, and procedures.
 
• Plays an integral role in the planning and execution of MBA Pre-Term, MBA Commencement, and other student engagements. This role is also responsible for data-driven assessment and determining opportunities for future programming, creating visibility of the MBA Academic Affairs Office to the Wharton community. There is an emphasis on delivering the MBA program's strategy for top-tier academic programming and experience.
 
• Partners with Senior Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives & Academic Programming to continuously assess the needs of the MBA Academic Affairs Office and develop solutions to promote overall efficiency within the team. Supports and contributes to large-scale projects, both internal and divisional, by integrating new technology and business analytics into academic operations. Enhances office productivity, streamlines processes, and provides data-driven insights to support strategic decision-making within the MBA Program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, is required. An MBA, JD, or a Master’s degree in Education is strongly preferred.

• Experience with advising students and briefing senior management. Operate effectively and manage ambiguity.

• Proven experience in managing student records for academic programs and delivering data driven solutions for related settings. Familiarity with academic platforms (ex. Banner, PeopleSoft) and data applications (ex. Power BI, Business Objects) with an emphasis on strong attention to detail is a requirement for this role. Demonstrated intermediate to advanced skill in Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets is also required for this role. Experience with data science and data visualization tools, including programming languages (ex. R, Python, Matlab) and Tableau would be highly desirable.

• Strong interpersonal, leadership, organizational, presentation, and communication skills. The ability to collaborate across diverse teams is essential.
 
• Experience in curating and delivering presentations tailored for both in-person and remote settings. 
 
• Experience in event planning is highly desirable.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $115,000.00 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

the pay range assigned to the job profile.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be 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