Executive Director, Talent

May 14, 2026 $190,000 - $260,000/year 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, Talent Job Profile Title Executive Director B, Human Resources Job Description Summary The University of Pennsylvania is seeking an Executive Director of Talent to provide strategic and operational leadership for the university’s end-to-end talent ecosystem, including Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Employee Engagement (including Employee Resource Groups), and Recognition Programs. Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources, this role is responsible for designing and delivering a cohesive, future‑ready talent strategy that supports the university’s mission, academic excellence, and long‑term workforce needs. The Executive Director of Talent will lead the evolution of talent practices as the institution scales, workforce expectations change, and technology becomes a more central enabler of talent management. The Executive Director will join the Division of Human Resources Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and work closely with school and center HR professionals to create and define comprehensive talent strategies. About the Role This role reportsto the Vice President of Human Resourcesandcollaborates withUniversityHR leadership to alignHR strategy with institutional goals. This role requires a leader who can balancestrategic vision with operational execution, navigate the complexity of higher education, and build modern, inclusive talent practices that serve faculty, staff, and leaders across the institution. The successful Executive Director of Talent will be: Future oriented and systems minded Comfortable balancing strategy and execution Credible with senior leaders, faculty, and staff Skilled at influencing withoutoverrelianceon hierarchy Passionate about building inclusive, high impact talent systems Key Responsibilities Develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated talent strategy aligned with the university’s strategic plan, academic priorities, and workforce needs Ensure alignment across Talent Acquisition,TalentDevelopment, Engagement, and Recognition programs Evaluate current talent acquisition practices across Penn and develop a comprehensive talent acquisition approach Serve as a strategic advisor to the VP of HR, senior leaders, and academic partners on talent trends, risks, and opportunities Monitor external trends in higher education, labor markets, and talent technology to informfuture‑statedesign Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning Drive the evolution of talent acquisition strategies to support staff hiring in a competitive and evolving labor market Partner with academic and administrative leaders to align hiring strategies with workforce planning, enrollmentand researchtrends, and institutional growth Advance inclusive hiring practices andequitablecandidate experiences Leverage data and technology to improve recruitment effectiveness, time to fill, and quality of hire Learning, Development & Capability Building Design and oversee learning and development strategies that support: Leadership development at all levels Professional growth for staff Emerging skill needs driven by technology, pedagogy, and operational change Strengthen onboardingand early-career development experiencesthrough a consistent and comprehensive orientation/onboardingprogram. Partner with academic leaders to align staff and leadership development with the university’s educational mission Engagement & Culture Lead institutionalengagementinitiatives in partnership with HR colleagues, academic leaders, and campus stakeholders Oversee Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and measurable impact Supportculture‑buildinginitiatives that foster belonging, engagement, and collaboration across faculty and staff populations Partner with communications and leadership to reinforce inclusive values through talent practices and messaging Recognition & Employee Experience Design and manage recognition programs that reinforce desired behaviors, values, and contributions Ensure recognition approaches areequitable, meaningful, and aligned with institutional culture Continuously assess and improve elements of the employee experience connected to attraction, development, and retention Qualifications Required Master’s Degree and Over 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experienceisrequired. Possess strong business acumen and proven ability to stay with evolving HR trends,legislationand best practices Demonstrated successleadingmultiple talent functions (e.g., talent acquisition, learning, engagement) Strong knowledge of all functional areas of Human Resources,talentacquisitionand talent development Expertiseanddemonstratedexperienceindeveloping and driving strategy across a large organization Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills Preferred Master’s degree in a related field Familiarity with Workday 10+ years of HR experience, including in higher education or unionized settings HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) Experience implementing or modernizing talent technology platforms Comfortoperatingin environments with evolving structure, priorities, and expectations Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School Human Resources Pay Range $190,000.00 - $260,000.00 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 protectedunder 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 benefitsto 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 theatre 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. Company size 201–500 employees Company type Educational Momentum #J-18808-Ljbffr