Senior Director for Commonwealth Campuses - Operations and Strategy

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POSITION SPECIFICS The Senior Director reports directly to the Chief Director, Finance & Business and Commonwealth Campuses Operations, Strategy and Engagement and serves as a key strategic and functional liaison between Commonwealth Campus leadership and the University’s Finance & Business units. This role serves as a thought partner and senior advisor to Commonwealth Campus Chancellors and supports key initiatives, provides guidance on design and project development to support University priorities. The position plays a critical role in connecting people, initiatives, and resources to drive effective decision-making and operational outcomes. This position requires approximately 50% travel and operates in a hybrid work environment, with regular evening and overnight travel expected. Key Responsibilities Serve as the regional point of contact to the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance & Business and campus chancellors for operational needs that fall outside central workstreams. Bridging gaps, fostering collaboration, and strengthening partnerships across all locations. Liaise between centralized workstreams and campus to troubleshoot issues and facilitate remedies. Act as a project manager, aligned with the Chancellor’s vision and needs, provide strategic input on campus initiatives and planning efforts, including prioritization of key actions, and offer guidance on funding sources and design, as appropriate. Facilitate alignment between campus leadership and project teams to advance initiatives and ensure coordinated execution. Cultivate strong relationships with campus leadership and key stakeholders to understand local needs and ensure responsive, high-quality service delivery. Provide guidance on space utilization and facilities planning, ensuring alignment with university space management policies in collaboration with the Offices of Physical Plant and Planning, Design and Properties. Serve as central point of contact and connector to the Office of Emergency Management Planning for campus emergency planning exercises and related crisis communications to support preparedness. Serve as the records compliance campus point of contact for university records retention policies and regulatory requirements, promoting compliance and sound governance practices. Partner with finance to identify funding opportunities and with the Office of Physical Plant to plan and advance campus projects aligned with strategic priorities. Collaborate closely with campus leaders across Finance & Business units—including University Police and Public Safety, Auxiliary and Business Services, Information Technology, Budget and Finance, and the Office of Physical Plant—to coordinate efforts, align priorities, and support effective service delivery across campuses. Serve as a strategic thought partner to campus leadership to help shape decisions, connecting people, projects, and priorities, and solving complex problems while anticipating risks, identifying opportunities, and aligning initiatives with long-term goals. In consultation with centralized offices, responsible for managing logistics related to real estate processes, risk management, records retention, procurement including vendor selection, negotiations, and contract performance. As needed and requested by campus leadership, represent campuses on committees and advisory boards; and act as a liaison and brand ambassador within local communities (e.g., local government, businesses, elected officials, school districts, and community groups). Required Qualifications Progressive experience in strategy, planning, operations, finance/business services, or a related administrative environment. Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders and organizational levels, including senior leaders. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policies and processes for diverse audiences. Experience coordinating cross-functional initiatives (e.g., compliance tracking, policy implementation, operational improvement). Ability to establish and foster relationships with key internal and external constituents to support campus goals and advance projects. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education, planning, or a related field. Experience in higher education administration, multi-site operations, or regional campus environments. Knowledge of procurement, contracting, risk management, and/or real estate operations. Experience with space management and facilities planning. Experience supporting emergency management planning or crisis communications. Additional Information Work Location: Home campus either Altoona, Behrend, Beaver, Greater Allegheny Supports the following campuses: Altoona, Behrend, Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, New Kensington and Shenango Work Arrangement: This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. Travel: 50% travel (including evening and overnight) to regional campuses and community partner sites. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday with some evening and occasional weekend work. MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS Bachelor's Degree 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $109,300.00 - $164,000.00. Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here. EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact View phone number on click.appcast.io. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.