Executive Director, Penn Washington

The University of Pennsylvania • Washington, DC, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 1m ago

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

Executive Director, Penn Washington

Job Profile Title

Director E, Academic Affairs, Global Affairs

Job Description Summary

Penn Washington connects the Penn campus and community to Washington, DC. This link occurs through programmatic efforts such as fellowships, events, activities and educational opportunities. The Executive Director for Penn Washington has a broad set of responsibilities aimed at achieving several key goals:

• working with Penn’s 12 schools and centers and programs to co-create activities relevant to each school’s mission;
• increasing visibility and links between Penn students, faculty and scholars and our federal and global policy communities;
• creating opportunities for Penn research to inform and influence policy; and
• expanding opportunities for Penn’s educational and academic programs to connect to Washington, DC.

Foremost among the Executive Director’s responsibilities will be to devise and shepherd multi-year projects on global policy issues through the Penn Biden Center and on domestic policy issues with our Penn Franklin Initiative. Our initial domestic projects are entitled “Fixing Congress” and “Fixing the University-Government Relationship” while global projects will be developed in collaboration with Penn partners, such as Penn Global and the Perry World House.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Responsible for the programmatic leadership, and administrative, financial, and operational management of Penn Washington. In alignment with the strategic goals of Penn Washington and the priorities of the 12 schools, conceive, develop, and deliver existing projects, strategies, and initiatives. This includes recruiting and supervising senior scholars for the global and domestic projects.
Build relationships with faculty, School leadership, center and institute leaders, and other internal and external partners to create opportunities and advance the core mission to connect Penn to the various Washington, DC policy communities.
Direct and implement a broad range of Penn Washington programmatic activities, including speakers, conferences, seminars, and other events. Develop and oversee Penn Washington’s student engagement programs as well as fellow and graduate/post-doctoral programs in Washington, DC.
Play a lead role, both internally and with external policy and academic communities, and other stakeholders, in increasing visibility and linkages of Penn in federal and global policy communities. Manage Penn Washington’s operational and financial activities. Interface with University administration, direct the Penn Washington budget, and develop funding sources for specific Penn Washington initiatives.
Manage programmatic, communications and outreach, events, and administrative staff.

Qualifications

Advanced degree (master's, JD, or PhD) in a relevant field and 7+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
At least five years of management experience in an academic and/or policy environment, including working closely with faculty and relevant policy communities required.
Demonstrated experience in managing complex programs and initiatives, with a track record of increasing responsibility in an organization.
Deep experience with policymaking and the operational workings of how to effect change through research.
Work in government is preferred but not required.
Demonstrated track record of building relationships both internally and externally to advance key initiatives and strategic goals.
Domestic or global expertise as demonstrated by research, publications, or work experience required.
This position is based in the Penn Washington Office in Washington, DC. The Executive Director must be able to travel to the University’s Philadelphia campus on a regular basis, at least biweekly.

Application Requirement:

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Job Location - City, State

Washington, District of Columbia

Department / School

Penn Global

Pay Range

$110,850.00 - $225,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action 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 benefitsto 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.