Senior Associate Director, Research Programming

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

Senior Associate Director, Research Programming

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, 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 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

The Wharton School's 20+ research centers and initiatives serve as a hub for exchange and study where faculty, students, and members of the business community address pressing global business challenges. Their work generates courses, academic programs, community outreach, working papers, published research, and partnerships among academics, industry, and government.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Leadership Research, the Senior Associate Director serves as a central integrator across the Wharton Leadership Pillar, supporting the Academic Director, Faculty Directors, and senior leadership in the implementation and execution of the Pillar’s strategic goals, priorities and events.

The Senior Associate Director supports multiple leadership research centers—focused on areas including leadership, people analytics, human resources, management, and organizational decision-making—by coordinating and operationalization research programming, conferences and events, marketing and communications, internal research funding, and shared processes across centers.

Job Description

The Senior Associate Director's responsibilities include:

• Coordinate and manage high-impact strategic projects to foster cross-collaboration efforts across academic research centers and initiatives during the launch of the Leadership Research Pillar.

• Support the development and launch of new research initiatives, programming, and centers within the Leadership Pillar by coordinating stakeholders, establishing initial workflows, and providing operational and programmatic support as new priorities emerge.

• Execute day-to-day logistics of research programming and faculty/student support activities across leadership research centers. Plan and implement research-focused events, including workshops, round tables, seminars, and conferences. Coordinate logistics, program materials, event marketing, speaker preparation, and cross-center execution.

• Oversee marketing and communication efforts on behalf of the Leadership Pillar and the leadership centers and initiatives, including calls for papers, research proposal solicitations, event marketing, including website and email marketing.

• Promote and implement operational best practices and shared processes across existing Leadership Pillar centers. Work with internal partners to standardize approaches in areas including marketing and communications, HR, finance, and fundraising, improving coordination and connecting activities to the broader Wharton ecosystem.

• Administer internal research funding programs, including managing proposal intake, coordinating eligibility screening, award distribution, and reporting.

• Coordinate and execute meeting logistics, and prepare meeting agendas and project briefs as needed.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required and 5–7 years of relevant experience in program management, academic administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and move projects forward.

• Demonstrated success managing complex projects and initiatives across multiple teams or functions, coordinating efforts and driving execution in a highly collaborative, faculty-driven environment.

• Proven ability to plan and execute events, including workshops, conferences, and convenings, with strong attention to logistics, stakeholder coordination, and program delivery.

• Experience supporting marketing and communications efforts, including promotion of programs and initiatives through email, web, and other channels, with the ability to effectively reach and engage target audiences.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the capacity to work effectively with faculty, university staff, students, and external partners.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while exercising independent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) and the ability to learn and utilize institutional systems.

Position is contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$80,891.00 - $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, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

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:

The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. 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.