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
Assistant Director, Office of Student Success, Penn GSE
Job Profile Title
Associate Director B, Student Services, Student Engagement
Job Description Summary
The Assistant Director of the Office of Student Success is responsible for strategically developing, managing, and sustaining the community life for the student population of 1600+ at Penn GSE through the Office of Student Success (OSS). This position entails leading critical initiatives, managing all school-wide events focused on students, and representing OSS at school and university level committees as well as national conferences regarding co-curricular learning, student leadership development, student life and programming, and large-scale event planning.
In addition to these leadership responsibilities, the Assistant Director runs the day-to-day operations of the Office of Student Success, which includes the management of the administrative functions within OSS such as budget management and office operations, ensuring the OSS continues to provide exceptional support to the student community it serves.
This is a full-time exempt position. Standard work hours are 9am – 5pm with a hybrid-eligible work schedule. Some nights & weekends will be required, especially during peak times like New Student Orientation and Commencement.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
Manage all aspects of building and sustaining the community of students at GSE. This includes the creation, development, and implementation of co-curricular learning, school-wide programming, providing guidance and assistance for program-level programming, assisting with updates and communications to GSE's current student database (Slate) and working with OSS and GSE personnel to ensuring cohesive student life programming that addresses the learning themes, honors the school values, and fulfills the stated objectives of OSS.
Managing Director for GSE's pivotal school-wide events for students, including orientation and graduation (with the associated reception), entailing comprehensive project planning, strategic collaboration with Penn partners, liaising with the Penn Secretary's office, oversight of a diverse pool of over 10 external vendors, strategic and effective assignment of numerous volunteers, troubleshooting of issues as they arise, and dissemination of essential requirements to staff, faculty, and students. Utilizes the Slate system to plan, promote, and collect registration and attendee information for OSS-sponsored events. This role involves management and delegation of responsibilities to optimize operational efficiency and concludes with the vital task of conducting a thorough project assessment, strategically informing future planning and enhancements. Notably, both graduation and orientation are expected to attract over 3000 attendees and over 750 participants annually.
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Office of Student Success. This includes ensuring the orderly management of the office space, monitoring and stocking supplies, controlling the OSS storage space in Solomon, GSE, and 3440 Market, staffing the reception desk, communicating with OSS partners and students when appropriate, triage students and other visitors to OSS space, supervise general OSS email accounts, send out all official correspondence with students (except LOAs and withdrawals), and ensure general function of the office.
Direct all budgetary processes for 3 accounts (Student Success Operating, Graduation, and Student Government) including initiating contracts for vendors and students, working with Senior Director to reconcile monthly expenditures, managing all student, staff/faculty payment processing, and training students on budgetary practices.
Lead the processes for and advises GSE Student Government and leaders of GSE student organizations such as guiding students to develop and maintain systems that will have the greatest impact, ensuring and enforcing Penn GSE and Penn policies, and creating and delivering training as appropriate.
Supervise two student workers and delegate appropriate tasks and projects.
Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL:
A Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience planning and implementing student engagement, co-curricular, or campus life initiatives.
Demonstrated experience planning and executing large, complex events
Experience coordinating logistics, vendors, volunteers, and multiple stakeholders simultaneously
Ability to anticipate challenges and troubleshoot efficiently
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, senior leadership, external vendors, and university partners.
Strong customer service orientation and ability to handle sensitive situations professionally.
PREFERRED:
A Master’s degree in higher education or college student personnel and 3+ years of experience.
Experience overseeing and executing student orientation or student graduation/commencement
Experience managing departmental budgets, reconciling expenditures, purchasing, contracts, and payment processing.
Familiarity using CRM or student information systems, like Slate
Expected Salary Range: $65,000 - $68,000, 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
$58,506.00 - $68,000.00 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
