Senior Associate Director, Wharton Executive MBA, Student Experience, Advising & Operations - S[...]

Senior Associate Director, Wharton Executive MBA, Student Experience, Advising & Operations - San Francisco The Senior Associate Director serves as the on-site operational and cultural leader for Wharton's Executive MBA program in San Francisco. Based at the Wharton San Francisco campus, this position requires regular on-site presence Tuesday through Saturday, including all class weekends. This role extends beyond traditional cohort management responsibilities. The Senior Associate Director provides formal supervision and strategic leadership for SF-based WEMBA staff, including the San Francisco Class Manager, Program Coordinator, and other assigned team members. The position is accountable for establishing operational standards, strengthening collaboration with WSF Operations, fostering cross-team alignment, and shaping a culture of accountability, transparency, and partnership across stakeholders. In addition to campus-level leadership responsibilities, the Senior Associate Director serves as lead Class Manager for one assigned cohort, maintaining full ownership of academic logistics, student experience delivery, milestone management, and class weekend execution. The role also drives operational improvements and change initiatives that promote consistency, sustainability, and a high-quality student experience across campuses. Travel to the Philadelphia campus is required at least once or twice per term to ensure alignment and shared planning. The preferred candidate brings demonstrated people management experience, strong operational judgment, and the ability to influence across functions while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. This role will be paid at or above California's required minimum annual salary (currently $70,304). Job Responsibilities SF-Based WEMBA Operations & People Leadership Provide direct supervision and strategic leadership for SF-based WEMBA staff, including the San Francisco Class Manager, Program Coordinator, and other assigned team members. Lead and support direct report(s) through coaching, regular feedback, goal-setting, and day-to-day guidance. Invest in their growth, help remove obstacles, and foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing environment. Hold individuals accountable to expectations and standards while ensuring fairness, clarity, and follow-through. Hold full responsibility for hiring input, onboarding, goal-setting, performance management, coaching, and professional development of direct reports. Establish clear expectations, shared standards, and accountability for operational excellence and student service. Serve as a culture builder and steward of collaboration, fostering a high-trust, solutions-oriented environment across WEMBA, WSF Operations, and cross-campus partners. Lead change management efforts within the SF campus, identifying areas for improvement and guiding the team through operational and cultural shifts. Ensure strong communication and partnership with WSF Operations and other key partners, proactively resolving friction points and strengthening cross-team alignment. Promote consistency in processes, communication standards, and service delivery across teams. Act as the senior on-site representative for WEMBA in San Francisco, modeling professionalism, transparency, and collaborative leadership. Academic Program & Cohort Leadership Serve as lead Class Manager for one assigned Executive MBA cohort. Act as primary point of contact for students regarding academic logistics, course formats, and program requirements. Guide students through electives, majors, block weeks, ISPs, and inter-cohort transfers. Track academic milestones and communicate academic standing considerations. Connect students to appropriate academic and support resources. Ensure academic materials are prepared and delivered on time. Class Weekend Planning & On-Site Execution Lead planning and execution of biweekly class weekends for assigned cohort. Serve as the senior on-site operational leader Tuesday through Saturday, including all class weekends. Provide oversight of classroom logistics, technical readiness, materials preparation, hospitality coordination, and student communications, delegating responsibilities appropriately while maintaining accountability for overall delivery. Set standards for preparation and execution, ensuring work is completed accurately, on time, and in alignment with program expectations. Coordinate with faculty, WSF Operations, and the Program Coordinator to ensure readiness and role clarity across stakeholders. Anticipate operational risks and resolve complex or escalated issues in real time. Ensure consistency, professionalism, and quality across all outward-facing communications and weekend deliverables. Strategic Planning, Standardization & Accountability Strengthen program-wide consistency and sustainability at the SF campus. Standardize processes across cohorts to reduce variation and risk. Ensure communication workflows between WEMBA and WSF Operations are clear and reliable. Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements. Serve as an escalation point for complex operational issues. Travel to Philadelphia at least once or twice per term to ensure cross-campus alignment. Perform other duties as assigned Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of relevant experience in higher education, academic program management, operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience managing and developing professional staff, including coaching, performance management, and fostering accountability. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage complex, overlapping priorities in a fast-paced, and at times unpredictable or high-pressure, environment. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with a wide range of constituents, including students, faculty, operations teams, vendors, and senior leadership. Experience managing complex or escalated participant concerns with a high level of emotional intelligence, diplomacy, discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment. Proven ability to build trust-based relationships across teams and campuses, valuing collaboration and shared success over siloed execution. Experience operating in a matrixed or multi-campus environment with shared accountability across functions. Ability to influence without authority and foster alignment among stakeholders with differing priorities. Demonstrated willingness to “roll up sleeves” to support operational needs while maintaining a strategic perspective and engaging effectively with senior leaders. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, thoughtful communications for diverse audiences. Creative and proactive problem solver with experience leading process improvement or change initiatives and constructively challenging existing processes. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends regularly in support of class weekends and program needs. Strongly Preferred Demonstrated experience working directly with adult learners, executive-level students, or other professional program participants in a high-touch environment is highly preferred. Experience supporting mid-career or senior professionals navigating complex academic, professional, and personal commitments. Familiarity with academic policies, faculty engagement models, and curriculum delivery in a higher education setting preferred. Job Location - City, State San Francisco, California Department / School Wharton School Pay Range $93,500.00 - $156,250.00 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, 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 #J-18808-Ljbffr Wharton School