Director, Faculty Affairs & Administration - The Wharton School
Description
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
Director, Faculty Affairs & Administration - The Wharton School
Job Profile Title
Director B, Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs
Job Description Summary
Wharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
Job Description
The Director of Faculty Affairs provides functional leadership for faculty affairs across Wharton, coordinating and supporting departmental staff responsible for this work and promoting consistent, responsive, and effective practices across the School. Reporting to the Senior Director, Deputy Dean’s Office and working closely with the Deputy Dean, the Director leads and coordinates complex faculty appointments and personnel processes; provides expert guidance on School and University policies and practices; and serves as a trusted resource to faculty, department chairs, senior leadership, and departmental staff.
The Director provides functional leadership to Wharton’s faculty affairs community and promotes a consistent, responsive, and high-quality experience throughout the faculty lifecycle. The role oversees interconnected administrative cycles, faculty governance and recognition activities, faculty systems and records, and related policies and practices, with an ongoing focus on ensuring highly effective faculty affairs operations and services. Working across academic departments and School and University partners, the Director identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, practices, and tools, balancing consistency and administrative effectiveness with the needs of individual faculty and the complexities of the academic environment.
Qualifications
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A bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required. A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in faculty affairs, academic personnel administration, academic administration, or a closely related area is strongly preferred.
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Experience within a complex research university or similarly decentralized academic environment is preferred. Experience at Penn strongly preferred.
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Substantial knowledge of faculty affairs and academic personnel processes, including experience administering or advising on faculty appointments, reappointments, promotions, tenure, leaves, retirements, and other faculty personnel actions.
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Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying complex institutional policies and procedures and translating them into clear, practical guidance for faculty, academic leaders, and administrators is essential.
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Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are required, including the professional presence, polish, diplomacy, and discretion necessary to work effectively with faculty, department chairs, senior academic leadership, and University partners on highly sensitive and consequential matters. The successful candidate must be able to establish credibility and trust with senior stakeholders, communicate difficult or nuanced information with tact and clarity, and represent leadership decisions appropriately and effectively.
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Exceptional judgment and organizational acumen, including the ability to navigate sensitive faculty matters, recognize institutional and reputational implications, balance multiple perspectives, and determine when issues require consultation or escalation. Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive personnel and institutional information is essential.
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Must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to independently evaluate complex cases, identify policy or procedural issues, develop thoughtful recommendations, and anticipate potential challenges before they arise.
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Demonstrated success leading complex, deadline-driven processes involving multiple stakeholders and levels of review is required. The successful candidate must be highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent faculty actions, governance processes, projects, and annual cycles while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
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Strong leadership and collaborative skills are required, including the demonstrated ability to serve as a senior and trusted member of the team, provide guidance and expertise to colleagues, foster effective working relationships, and coordinate complex work across multiple stakeholders.
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Experience developing and improving administrative processes, guidance, communications, documentation, or training is strongly preferred. The successful candidate should be able to identify and implement opportunities for greater consistency, effectiveness, and efficiency while exercising appropriate sensitivity to academic culture, faculty needs, and established governance practices.
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Demonstrated ability to effectively leverage systems, technology, and available tools to support administrative processes, information management, and continuous improvement.
Additional Information
Interested candidates must submit a cover letter with their application to be considered for this position.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Wharton School
Pay Range
$80,891.00 - $129,690.00 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