Director of Strategic Operations - Office of Academic Innovation - Penn Engineering

University of Pennsylvania•Woodworth, OH

9d•$100,000 - $112,000

About The Position

The Office of Academic Innovation (OAI) at Penn Engineering leads the strategy, growth, and operations of a rapidly expanding global portfolio of online and professional education programs. We are seeking a Director of Strategic Operations to join our leadership team. The ideal candidate is a disciplined strategist and clear communicator who can balance technical analysis with strong interpersonal leadership and community building. This senior leadership role sits at the center of strategy execution, partnering closely with the Executive Director to translate bold institutional priorities into strong operational systems, financial discipline, and a thriving office culture. The Director ensures that vision becomes reality across a complex, fast-growing portfolio while serving as a primary ambassador for OAI, building vital professional networks across the University to further our mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree (MBA, MSEd, or Finance) preferred, and 4 to 6 years of progressive leadership experience in strategy, operations, or higher education administration. or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Analytical Skills: Experience overseeing data systems or technical teams; ability to translate raw data into strategic organizational insights.
Communication: Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to convey complex strategic and data-driven narratives to executive boards and university leadership.
Relationship Management: Proven ability to network and build collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships across a large, decentralized institution.
Leadership: Demonstrated commitment to staff development and fostering a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior integrator across OAI’s functional teams, ensuring alignment between strategy, enrollment growth, and operational execution.
Directly supervise the operations team, providing strategic oversight and support for core functions including event planning, TA and faculty hiring processes, office administration, and the coordination of internal reporting workflows.
Cultivate a vibrant workplace by designing initiatives that promote professional development, inclusivity, and team cohesion, ensuring a strong commitment to the team’s well-being.
Lead annual operational planning cycles, including goal-setting, all-staff meetings, and manager forums designed to enhance internal transparency.
Act as a high-level representative for OAI, networking across Penn Engineering and the wider University to build strategic relationships and advocate for OAI’s initiatives.
Handle sensitive and confidential matters with the discretion and political judgment required in a complex Ivy League environment.
Oversee financial performance for a dynamic portfolio, including P&L management, enrollment-driven revenue forecasting, and expense modeling.
Directly manage key organizational contracts and provide operational support to teams for vendor selection, negotiation, and compliance with University procurement policies.
Lead monthly and annual financial reviews, translating complex financial data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
Develop financial models and scenario analyses to support new program launches, pricing strategy, and long-term strategic investments.
Design and maintain KPI dashboards and leadership reporting tools to track program sustainability, financial performance, and operational efficiency.
Establish clear expectations for data stewardship, reporting cadence, and cross-team accountability to support consistent leadership oversight and decision-making.
Partner closely with Penn Engineering and University finance teams to resolve issues, interpret policy, and ensure cost discipline.
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director; deliver high-impact presentations and briefings to internal and external stakeholders.
Coordinate governance for the Board of Online Engineering Education, including agenda-setting, materials preparation, and initiative tracking.
Lead the development of reporting frameworks, dashboards, and executive summaries that support leadership oversight of strategic priorities, program health, and operational risk.
Translate long-term strategic priorities into operational roadmaps, measurable milestones, and implementation plans.
Anticipate emerging operational or political challenges and proactively develop solutions.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that span enrollment strategy, academic operations, and program launches.

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.