Program Manager, Penn Institute for Urban Research (2 year Limited Term)

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

Program Manager, Penn Institute for Urban Research (2 year Limited Term)

Job Profile Title

Manager B, Academic Affairs

Job Description Summary

The Program Manager will oversee and execute programs of critical importance to Penn IUR. These include grant and gift funded international and domestic projects requiring research, program design, and the production of high-level expert convenings and publications for diverse audiences. The Program Manager will work directly with Penn IUR’s faculty co-directors to produce research and deliver programs that advance the Institute’s strategic direction. The Program Manager will oversee two project streams that are critical to Penn IUR’s core knowledge themes – one at the core of Penn IUR’s international work and one pivotal to its domestic research.

On the international front, the Program Manager will be responsible for supporting the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Global Commission on Urban SDG Finance, co-chaired by the mayors of Paris (Anne Hidalgo) and Rio de Janeiro (Eduardo Paes), and economist Jeffrey Sachs. Penn IUR serves as secretariat, providing direction for the Commission, facilitating its 100 members and six task forces, and producing the Commission’s findings. The Program Manager will be instrumental in maintaining relationships with grantors and securing new grant funding.

The second project stream focuses on Penn IUR’s long-standing research on the evolving role of anchor institutions in urban places throughout the U.S. Penn IUR has secured gift and grant funding for a multi-year program that includes case study research, stakeholder engagement, peer-to-peer exchange, publications of findings and policy recommendations, largely centered around the "Penn as an Anchor Institution" initiative. Penn IUR is a long-standing leader in this area of research; the Program Manager will be critical to ensuring that Penn IUR continues to advance this issue of growing importance.

In each of these areas, the Program Manager will be responsible for ensuring Penn IUR meets its deliverables by engaging in such activities as, but not limited to, acting as project lead contact; conducting quantitative and qualitative research; writing reports for expert audiences as well as general public; convening partners in high-level meetings, global forums, and expert exchanges; managing part-time professional and student workers; tracking project budgets; and collaborating with Penn IUR’s communications team to disseminate key findings and achievements.

** Please note that this is term position with a target end date of 4/28/28. 

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Establish and oversee processes by which to manage the Global Commission on Urban SDG Finance and the anchor institution program by creating project plans and budgets
• Conduct research as necessitated by the grants to meet grant deliverables
• Manage grant team coordination – establishing team meetings and accountability measures for PIs, university partners, external collaborators, and student workers
• Design and execute high-level meetings (virtual and in-person) of project partners, peer institutions, and Commission members
• Represent Penn IUR at such global meetings as UN Climate Week by liaising with partners, presenting project findings, and convening partner meetings
• Collaborate with Penn IUR communications team to disseminate key findings and achievements
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required; Master's preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex projects, including creating project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Strong research skills with the ability to conduct qualitative and/or quantitative analysis to meet grant or project deliverables.
• Proven ability to coordinate multi‑stakeholder grant teams, including convening meetings, tracking progress, and implementing accountability measures.
• Experience planning, designing, and executing high‑level virtual and in‑person meetings, workshops, or convenings with senior partners or global stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively with communications teams to translate project outputs into public‑facing materials, reports, or announcements.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work with diverse partners.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost Interdisciplinary Programs

Pay Range

$57,500.00 - $80,000.00 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.

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