Job Details

Associate Director of Community, Climate, and Doctoral Education, Penn GSE

Position Number: 7135358
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Education

Associate Director of Community, Climate, and Doctoral Education, Penn GSE

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 of Community, Climate, and Doctoral Education, Penn GSE

Job Profile Title
Associate Director B, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration

Job Description Summary
The Associate Director of Community, Climate, and Doctoral Education serves as a key operational and programmatic partner to the Associate Dean for Community, Climate, and Doctoral Education, supporting two interconnected portfolios. Within the Office of Community and Climate (OCC), the Associate Director leads the planning, coordination, and execution of programs, events, and initiatives that advance Penn GSE's commitment to community building across the school; manages office operations, including budget oversight and vendor administration; and serves as the primary logistical and relational point of contact for high-profile guests and visitors.

The Associate Director also staffs and supports the standing Committee on Climate and Community. In the doctoral education portfolio, the Associate Director partners with the Associate Dean to develop, implement, and support programs, policies, and initiatives aimed at strengthening the doctoral student experience at Penn GSE, coordinating closely with the Office of Student Success, Office of Academic Affairs, and Office of Research and Faculty Affairs. Across both areas, the Associate Director provides project management support and assists the Associate Dean in ensuring effective execution of GSE priorities.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Office of Community and Climate Programs, Events, and Operations:

Plan, coordinate, and execute OCC programs and events, including the Visiting Scholar Speaker Series, listening sessions, community gatherings, and partnered programming with GSE Affinity Groups, the Office of Student Success, and the Office of Human Resources
Serve as the primary point of contact and on-site coordinator for high-profile visitors and speakers, managing travel logistics, itineraries, scheduling, and hospitality
Manage the OCC budget, including expense reconciliation, P-card payments, reimbursements, and vendor and independent service provider contracts
Develop and distribute event communications and marketing collateral in coordination with the Office of Marketing and Communications
Maintain OCC web presence and informational resources in coordination with the Office of Marketing and Communications
As appropriate, support periodic school climate survey administration (conducted on a multi-year cycle) including data collection, synthesis of findings, and development of follow-up programming and communications

Standing Committee on Climate and Community:

Staff the standing Committee on Climate and Community, working in close coordination with the Associate Dean and faculty Co-Chair(s)
Schedule and attend monthly meetings; prepare agendas, take minutes, and track decisions, action items, and follow-ups
Support drafting of Committee reports, presentations, analyses, and other work products

Doctoral Education Programs and Initiatives:

Under guidance of the Associate Dean, develop, implement, and assess programs, policies, and initiatives aimed at strengthening the Ph.D. and Ed.D. student experience
Serve as the operational liaison among the Office of Student Success, Office of Academic Affairs, and Office of Research and Faculty Affairs, and other partners to advance doctoral education priorities
Coordinate logistics and communications for programming and events, such as doctoral student luncheons and other cross-program gatherings
Support data collection, analysis, and reporting on the doctoral student experience and the impact of school-wide initiatives

Associate Dean Support and Office Operations:

Provide project management and administrative support to the Associate Dean across the portfolio and in their capacity as Graduate Group Chair
Coordinate meetings, prepare materials and briefings, and manage correspondence on behalf of the Associate Dean
Handle sensitive information with discretion and represent the Office professionally with faculty, staff, students, and external partners

Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL:

A Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Familiarity with concepts, issues, and programs associated with fostering community within a multifaceted organization and graduate level programs
Demonstrated experience in program or event planning, coordination, and execution
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft reports, materials, and correspondence on behalf of senior leaders
Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, students, staff, and external guests
Ability to manage financial and administrative processes including budget tracking and expense reconciliation
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

PREFERRED:

Five years of experience; Prior experience in higher education administration or supporting academic departments
Experience supporting senior academic administrators or faculty leaders
Experience with commercial graphic design templates and platforms used to generate communications with GSE community

Expected Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000, commensurate with experience.

*All applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their interest in the position. The resume/CV section allows for multiple uploads, which is where cover letters can be added.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Graduate School of Education

Pay Range
$57,500.00 - $70,000.00 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.

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

Equal Employment 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.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Graduate-School-of-Education/Associate-Director-of-Community--Climate--and-Doctoral-Education--Penn-GSE_JR00119553