Executive Director, Wharton Generative AI Labs

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

Executive Director, Wharton Generative AI Labs

Job Profile Title

Director E, Research

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 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 worldwide 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 diverse staff population representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Wharton’s Generative AI Labs are dedicated to exploring the frontiers of how Generative AI can impact and transform education, work, and society. Led by Co-Directors, Ethan Mollick and Lilach Mollick, GAIL combines research and prototyping to create applications for AI that will change how we work and learn. To learn more visit our website.

Job Description

Why we need you
Our mission at GAIL is to revolutionize education and work through the power of Generative AI. As we continue to innovate, we are committed to creating a robust, scalable open-source platform (Primer) that empowers non-technical educators and organizations to build AI-driven tools. We are seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead this mission. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership across GAIL's initiatives, guiding teams, partners and vendors to deliver impactful and scalable solutions. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of generative AI, ensuring its applications are safe, adaptive, and accessible to diverse audiences. 
 
As a startup environment within a university setting, this role requires a leader who thrives on being hands-on and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves. You'll need to be comfortable setting up and running meetings, following up on action items, and diving into the details when needed. No task is too small when building something revolutionary, and we need someone who embraces this startup mentality while navigating the unique dynamics of a university environment. 
 
At GAIL, we value radical transparency, and your work will be no exception. We share our learnings with the broader community through research briefs and public showcases of our progress. For a glimpse into our transparent approach, see our recent paper. 
 
Here's what you'll be doing
As the Executive Director, you will oversee GAIL's initiatives, ensuring alignment with its strategic vision while managing operations, partnerships, and the organization's continued evolution. You will act as a driving force behind the organization's success, empowering teams and stakeholders to turn ambitious ideas into reality.

Job Responsibilities:

• Champion the creation of AI-powered educational tools and resources, fostering innovation in learning technologies. 

• Provide strategic oversight for the design, development, and deployment of the Primer platform, ensuring scalability and seamless integration with diverse systems. 

• Oversee partnerships with technology providers, managing vendor agreements an cultivating external relationships. Collaborate with developers, designers, and stakeholders to align technical and organizational objectives with GAIL's mission. 

• Guide spring planning and project management to ensure timely and efficient delivery of initiatives. 

• Act as a thought leader in generative AI, identifying trends and opportunities to advance GAIL's impact. 

• Cultivate and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and innovation. 

• Work with WAIAI leadership on budgeting, financial planning, evaluating, and making recommendations to Wharton Finance & Administration. 

• Cultivate relationships with donors and foundations to support giving opportunities in partnership with GAIL Co-Directors and Wharton External Affairs. Serve as a liaison in cultivating stewardship opportunities for donors, assisting in the completion of gift/grant legal agreements and the execution of stewardship reporting. 

• Structure and manage foundation deliverables by working backwards from grant objectives ensuring meaningful progress tracking and comprehensive reporting that demonstrates impact. 

 
How to apply: 
We're eager to learn about you and your vision for this role. To apply, please submit:
1. Your resume
2. A cover letter expressing your interest in this opportunity and how you envision contributing to our mission. 
3. A detailed account of your current use of generative AI, including: 
     -3 in-depth examples of how you're actively using generative AI in your work
     -Specific outcomes and insights from these tools
     -Any challenges you've encountered and how you've addressed them
 

Why You're a Great Fit/Qualifications

• A Master's degree and 7-10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. 

• Proven leadership experience in managing cross-functional teams and strategic projects, preferably in AI, technology, or education sectors.

• Deep understanding of generative AI and its potential applications in educational and organizational contexts.

• Strong background in project and team management, with a track record of delivering complex, scalable solutions.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to inspire and align diverse audiences.

• Passion for open-source innovation and a commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering community growth.

• Demonstrated ability to balance vision with hands-on execution - from leading high-level initiatives to managing day-to-day operational details, tracking deliverables, and ensuring project momentum through consistent follow-up. 

• Strong operational mindset with experience in building and refining processes from the ground up in dynamic environments.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$110,850.00 - $195,000.00 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