Associate Director, MSSP Program

University of Pennsylvania

23h•$66,000 - $75,000

About The Position

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, MSSP Program Job Profile Title Associate Director C, Student Services, Graduate Programs Job Description Summary Reporting to the MSSP Program Faculty Director, with dotted line reporting and support from the Cross-Master’s Curriculum Director, and under limited supervision, the MSSP Associate Director will manage many important operational components of the MSSP Program, including engaging in strategic planning, administrative operations, team management, and budgetary decisions. The MSSP Associate Director will initiate and lead the development and evaluation of innovative curricular programming, including classroom- and practicum-based learning, and ensure quality improvement processes in all aspects of the MSSP Program. The MSSP Associate Director will manage dual degree programs and certificate programs. The MSSP Associate Director will provide admissions and recruitment related assistance, as well as academic advising. The MSSP Associate Director will lead the MSSP Program team, including the Program Coordinator and any student workers. The MSSP Associate Director will regularly communicate with SP2’s MSSP students, faculty, staff, and community partners, disseminate programmatic innovations through professional publications and attendance at/participation in national professional meetings and conferences such as the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management as needed, oversee scheduling MSSP courses each term, and offer support to MSSP instructors, including review of all syllabi. All SP2 staff are required to participate in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s in social or public policy or a related field, doctoral degree; 7-10 years of social policy experience; 7-10 years of social policy education experience or a combination of experience and education preferred.
Enthusiasm for social policy education, curricular innovation, and program evaluation; demonstrated effectiveness and commitment to excellence in social policy education; prior supervisory/program leadership experience; commitment to supporting students, instructors, staff and community-based partners; engaged pursuit of social justice aims of social policy education; strong interpersonal, verbal, organizational and writing skills; capacity for facilitating positive team interactions and functioning; ability to balance attention to detail and large-scale programmatic development; an optimistic outlook and joyful approach to one’s work; and a sense of humor.
Prior experience with managing a team, collaborating across departments, research, publication and professional presentations is preferred.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the MSSP Program Faculty Director, with dotted line reporting and support from the Cross-Master’s Curriculum Director, the Associate Director will advance all components of the MSSP Program, including operational (curricular innovation & development, dual degree programs, certificates including the MSSP + Data Analytics, practicum placements, and waiver exams).
Engage in strategic planning, administrative operations, and budgetary decisions.
Develop, implement, and evaluate programmatic innovations at the school level and engage in continuous quality improvement with all aspects of the MSSP Program.
Schedule courses, recruit, and offer support to instructors for MSSP courses each term, including review of all syllabi to ensure quality standards of the MSSP program curriculum and programming; provide orientation regarding expectations and resources for teaching at SP2 for new instructors.
Provide academic guidance for MSSP students and regularly communicate with them through email and in-person meetings about a range of topics, including curricular offerings and community events.
Provide admissions related support, including recruiting, engagement in events, and review of applications.
Train, supervise, and support the MSSP Program team, including the Program Coordinator and student worker(s).
Provide support with initiatives and events for students, staff, faculty, and community partners.
Staff various programmatic committees including MSSP Governance and liaise/collaborate with other SP2 programs, centers, and colleagues.
Participate in local, regional, and national social policy organizations, conferences, and meetings, including the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management, contribute to peer-reviewed publications in order to enhance MSSP Program curricular offerings, share innovative curricular advances, and ensure the presence of SP2 in local, regional and national social policy settings.
Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

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.