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

Associate Director, Signature Events & Programs, Undergraduate Division

Job Profile Title

Associate Director B, Student Services, Undergraduate Programs

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.

This person is a member of the Undergraduate Division’s operations and communications team, responsible for successfully planning and implementing a wide range of signature events and programs. This person works closely with students, Division staff, and departments across the School and University to ensure events and programs are executed sustainably and with a high degree of quality and represent the Wharton School in the best possible light.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

Undergraduate events and programs

• Serves as the Division’s event lead for signature events such as Family Weekend, New Student Orientation, and graduation. Collaborates with Division staff and campus partners to define event requirements, goals, objectives, metrics, and communication plans.
• Oversees the event production, focusing on quality, sustainability, and attendee experience. Responsible for event communications, guest and speaker management, programmatic and space design, event flow, audio/visual, food and beverage, and more.
• Creates and disseminates event timelines, staffing plans, run of shows, registration and attendance reports, and other relevant documents. Leads walkthroughs and conducts post-event debriefs to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Manages budget, assesses financial implications, and negotiates event costs/contracts. Produces reports as needed for trend analysis.
• Oversees student graduation speaker selection and annual Dean’s Awards selection process and ceremony.
• Coordinates biannual alumni-student career chats and Philly Connection program for first-years.
• Supports planning and implementation of the first-year career readiness programming and Vice Dean discretionary events and programs.

Wharton International Program and Wharton Industry Exploration Program

• Oversees and enhances the programmatic execution of WH2980: Wharton International Program (WIP) and WH2970: Wharton Industry Exploration Program (WIEP) to foster an international and industry-informed educational environment.
• Responsible for program logistics, course management, alumni and company event/visit coordination, working closely with the director of student and alumni engagement, the Division academic and communications teams, campus partners, and vendors.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of experience in events management or project planning is required.
• Demonstrated experience developing and adhering to schedules and deadlines, communication, and follow-up with stakeholders and partners.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with a diverse student body, staff, faculty, and other constituents.
• Strong attention to detail and leadership skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, with an ability to analyze and respond to requests, issues, and challenges as they arise.
• Ability to envision and propose new methods to perform tasks and achieve desired results.
• Anticipates and embraces change, demonstrates willingness to acquire and use new skills to take on challenging tasks, and is flexible in changing conditions.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Preferred:

• Experience working in a college or university setting
• Familiarity with WordPress, Canva, CampusGroups, and Qualtrics

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $62,400.00 Annual RateSalary 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.

Equal Opportunity 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.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay