Director D - Academic Affairs

University of Pennsylvania•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Guides the strategic direction and oversight of a major academic function within a central function or large school. Aligns programs and operations with academic goals, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance across units. The Managing Director provides senior operational and strategic leadership for the Center, working in close partnership with the Center Director to advance the Center’s mission, research agenda, and long-term growth. This role oversees Center-wide operations, including direct and indirect supervision of senior staff and overall oversight of personnel, finances, and infrastructure, ensuring alignment across research, administrative, and strategic priorities. The Managing Director leads key governance bodies—including staff, Steering Committee, and Internal and External Advisory Board meetings—ensuring effective decision-making, coordination, and follow-through. The role has primary responsibility for business operations, including financial management of endowment and operating funds, and the effective utilization of human, financial, and physical resources. The Managing Director also oversees the Center’s marketing and communications strategy to strengthen visibility, stakeholder engagement, and national reputation. In collaboration with Center leadership, the role identifies and cultivates external partnerships, develops strategies to engage key stakeholders, and shares responsibility for the growth and stewardship of strategic relationships. In addition, the Managing Director provides strategic and operational leadership for major, high-priority initiatives led by the Center Director, translating vision into executable plans and coordinating cross-functional and institutional stakeholders. This position contributes to the development and implementation of the Center’s strategic priorities and requires periodic overnight travel to support meetings, partnerships, and Center-related events.

Requirements

A Master’s Degree and 5-7 years of experience in all aspects of academic clinical research or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Proven ability to manage a large, diverse set of tasks and projects in a dynamic environment.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with personnel at all levels, including senior level faculty and representatives of external organizations of a wide range of levels.
Proven track record with generating and managing research partnerships and major initiatives.
High energy, initiative, enthusiasm.
Creativity and strong track record of facilitating collaborative scholarship and productivity.

Nice To Haves

A higher degree and 10 or more years preferred.

Benefits

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
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.
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 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 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.
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.