Associate Director, Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences

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, Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Student Services, Graduate Programs

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director of the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences (MBDS) Program is a senior administrative role responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the program's operations, student services, recruitment, academic affairs, financial management, and strategic initiatives. The Associate Director works closely with the Faculty Director, affiliated faculty, College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS), and other University offices to ensure the success and growth of the MBDS program. This position combines leadership, strategic oversight, and hands-on management to provide a high level of service to students, faculty, and stakeholders.

Housed in the School of Arts and Sciences, the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences (MBDS) program combines behavioral economics, decision sciences, network analysis, and public policy to equip students with the tools to address real-world challenges. This interdisciplinary program focuses on understanding and influencing decision-making to create meaningful, sustainable impact. Rooted in the social sciences, MBDS prepares students to apply these skills across industries, and your role will help support a dynamic learning environment that empowers their success.

Job Description

The Associate Director of the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences (MBDS) program oversees daily operations, student services, and strategic initiatives to ensure the program’s success and growth. Serving as the primary academic advisor, the Associate Director monitors student progress, certifies graduation, and updates the program handbook in collaboration with the Faculty Director and College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS).

The role manages recruitment and admissions, including planning events, assessing applications, coordinating with the admissions committee, and implementing strategies to yield a qualified cohort. The Associate Director enhances the student experience by organizing events, networking opportunities, and milestone activities like orientation and graduation.

In partnership with LPS, the Associate Director contributes to marketing efforts, including content creation, program promotion, and outreach to key networks. The position oversees course rostering, faculty appointments, and budget management while supervising the Administrative Coordinator and temporary staff. This role reports to the Faculty Director to implement strategic plans, analyze program data, and support program operations effectively.

Job Responsibilities

Academic Advising and Administrative Course Management:

• Serve as the primary academic advisor for all MBDS students, providing guidance on course selection, degree progress, and academic requirements and policies.

• Monitor student progress and performance; conduct audits and certify students for graduation in collaboration with LPS Student Records and central Penn offices.

• Troubleshoot academic or administrative issues, ensuring timely and effective resolutions for students.

• Update and maintain the MBDS program handbook to reflect changes to degree requirements and academic policies approved by the Faculty Director.

• Oversee the rostering of program courses and appointment processes for lecturers and teaching assistants.

• Maintain an updated list of approved elective courses that students may take outside the program.

• Collaborate with faculty to address course-related needs, scheduling, and support.

• Help with the running of the Capstone course and Design Challenge.

Recruitment and Admissions:

• Create and implement a plan to support applicants during their evaluation and application phase to produce a higher percentage of well qualified students that apply and once admitted, confirm their participation in the MBDS.

• Assist the work of the MBDS Admissions committee in coordination with the Faculty Director to define the criteria adopted by the committee for student admission.

• Standardize evaluation processes for tracking admissions.

• Manage the admissions process, including helping the admissions committee, assessing applications, interviewing candidates, and implementing strategies to optimize yield.

Student Services and Event Management

• Organize and manage events that enhance the student and alumni experience, including networking events, summer programming, and career services initiatives.

• Lead milestone program events in collaboration with LPS, such as new student orientation, graduation ceremonies, and program receptions.

• Foster a supportive and engaging environment to ensure student satisfaction and program excellence.

• Organize remote and in-person events, information materials, one-to-one calls, inviting prospective students to join already scheduled MBDS events.

• Coordinate with MBDS Alumni on ideas for soliciting students who have expressed interest in MBDS.

Program Marketing and Student Outreach

• Assess, evaluate and devise regular outreach initiatives to attract ideal prospective candidates for program admission. 

• Seek opportunities to engage and partner with potential corporate sponsors and external high-level stakeholders that would enhance the MBDS program and benefit its current students and graduates.

• Plan and host recruitment events and open houses to attract a highly qualified applicant pool.

• Provide content for marketing materials, including identifying students, alumni, faculty, and projects for marketing profiles.

• Review and update web content and promotional text, and identify networks, influencers, and opportunities to market the program effectively.

Financial and Budget Management

• Advise the Faculty Director on annual expense needs to support recruitment, admissions, student events, and programming.

• Manage and monitor the program’s current expense budget; meet monthly with the business office to review expenses and update projections.

Supervision and Operations Management

• Supervise the full-time Administrative Coordinator, ensuring effective management of administrative tasks and processes.

• Hire, train, and oversee temporary staff and student workers, delegating responsibilities to support program operations.

• Manage the program’s daily operations, identifying opportunities for process improvements and efficiencies.

Strategic Initiatives and Reporting

• Collaborate with the Faculty Director to develop and implement strategic plans for program growth and improvement.

• Identify high potential students and/or graduates to support outreach in expanding MBDS to the professional world.

• Provide reports, data, and analyses to support program decision-making, recruitment trends, and student success initiatives.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5-7 years of experience in higher education administration or program management is required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.; Master's or PhD preferred in a related field (behavioral science, social science, higher education administration, etc.) is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership and project management skills.

• Experience in student advising, admissions, event planning, and budget management.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and external partners.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, data analysis tools, and familiarity with higher education systems such as Slate, Canvas, Interfolio, and Banner a plus.

REQUIREMENT.

• The job is 100% on campus

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $90,000.00 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