Associate Director for Student Programs

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 for Student Programs

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Student Services, Student Engagement

Job Description Summary

The Graduate Student Center Associate Director for Student Programs (ADSP) manages the development and implementation of academic and professional development programming and resources to support roughly 18,000 graduate and professional students, including over 1500 graduate parents supported through the Family Resource Center.

The ADSP has primary responsibility for coordinating a robust schedule of programming throughout the year, working closely with professional and student staff to offer a balanced and wide range of programs and events to meet the diverse needs and interests of Penn graduate and professional students, as well as graduate students and postdocs with children. The ADSP is also part of a larger team supporting major initiatives and traditions, including New Graduate Student Orientation activities, GradFest, and Graduate Wellness Week.

The ADSP works closely with the executive director in managing signature programs and initiatives in support of the Center’s mission, including providing direct instructional and advisory services in areas of academic writing and research communication. This includes coordinating the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and writing retreats, as well as leading and facilitating skill-based workshops.

Job Description

The Associate Director for Student Programs supports the mission of the Grad Center by developing and coordinating programming, resources, and outreach initiatives that educate and engage Penn students on a range of topics related to academic and professional development. Working closely with partners across the University, the AD oversees a team of 2-4 fellows and 1 FTE staff member to develop, implement, and evaluate student-focused programming and resources to support roughly 18,000 graduate and professional students at Penn.

The AD is responsible for coordinating broader programming efforts, in consultation with programming staff, helping to ensure that the Grad Center has a robust and diverse array of well-planned and -executed events throughout the year. The AD works closely with the Executive Director to manage signature programs and to support successful implementation of strategic initiatives in support of the Center’s mission, providing both supportive and direct instructional and advisory services in areas of academic writing and research communication. This includes coordinating the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and writing retreats, as well as leading and facilitating skill-based workshops.

The AD shares in responsibility for advising and oversight of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), with a focus on GAPSA’s Programming Division and board-initiated activities.  This includes meeting with student organization leaders, providing guidance on programs that will engage the graduate student community, and assisting with oversight and ensuring that University policies and procedures are followed. The AD also plays an integral role in the development, implementation, and supervision of several large-scale events and traditions, including, New Graduate Student Orientation activities, GradFest, Graduate Wellness Week, and more.

The AD plays a leadership role in helping to cultivate a positive, success-driven environment that demands both high levels of individual responsibility and effective and meaningful collaboration with internal and external colleagues for both the Grad Center and GAPSA programming teams. The AD also plays an important role in maintaining the Grad Center’s role as a vibrant, welcoming hub of graduate and professional student life at Penn.

Job Responsibilities

• Program planning, implementation, and evaluation - Develop, coordinate, and assess programming for roughly 18,000 graduate and professional students. Collaborate with other campus centers and departments to create targeted programming for graduate and professional students, in line with full scope of programmatic goals.
• Supervise program coordinator (1FTE) and team of 2-4 fellows to assist with professional development programs and to develop and implement original new programming to reflect evolving student needs and interests.
• Lead development and delivery of academic writing and research communication workshops, materials, and advising. includes coordinating the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and writing retreats, as well as leading and facilitating skill-based workshops.
• Coordinates general programming calendar and schedule, in consultation with programming staff and ED, to ensure that the Grad Center has a robust and diverse array of well-planned and -executed events throughout the year. Assist with development and implementation of large-scale events, including graduation activities, resource fairs, GradFest, Graduate Wellness Week, and others.
• Assist with advising and supervision of GAPSA programs and GAPSA-funded student events, including oversight of paid/ticketed events. Assists with development and maintains leadership manuals, guidelines, and webpages for graduate student leaders.
• Support the Grad Center Executive Director on programming and operations. Assist with strategic outreach in support of special projects and initiatives. Represent Grad Center at open houses, resource fairs, and related activities.
• Solicit and analyze feedback from students as part of regular reporting and use data to refine programs and outreach.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Master’s degree in academic discipline strongly preferred, terminal degree in academic discipline preferred.
• Experience working with graduate and professional students, preferably in an administrative or professional role.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, faculty, and administrative partners.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a sensitivity to the needs and concerns of diverse groups of students.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, administering and assessing programs, workshops, or similar events.
• Must have outstanding writing and presentation skills and a high level of organization and project management skills.
• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated supervisory, budgetary and facility management skills; all candidates will be expected to follow all University procedures and protocols in these and other administrative areas.
• Associate Director must be able to work flexible schedule that include some evenings and weekends.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost's Center

Pay Range

$66,000.00 - $78,759.84 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.

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