Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

The Wharton School

4d•$112,433 - $145,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Open Enrollment Programs provides strategic leadership and full ownership of a significant and complex portfolio of existing and new executive education programs serving senior leaders across industries. In collaboration with Wharton faculty, institutional leadership, and internal stakeholders, the Director designs, delivers, and continuously enhances programs that address evolving market needs. The role operates with substantial independence and is accountable for program quality, relevance, participant satisfaction, growth, and financial success. The Director evaluates enrollment patterns, participant feedback, competitive activity, emerging business trends, and financial performance to guide portfolio decisions and identify opportunities for new program development. In partnership with Wharton faculty, the Director ensures program content remains relevant and reflects Wharton’s latest thinking while assessing market demand, strategic alignment, delivery approach, pricing, profitability, and resource requirements. From initial opportunity through approval and launch, the Director exercises significant independent judgment in determining whether programs should be enhanced, repositioned, expanded, redesigned, advanced, or declined. The Director navigates approval processes and communicates decisions and supporting rationale to key stakeholders. As the primary steward of assigned programs, the Director partners with marketing, client relations, operations, and business development to deliver a seamless, high-quality participant experience. The Director cultivates strong faculty relationships, aligns stakeholders around program objectives, manages expectations, and ensures effective execution across in-person, online, live virtual, and blended learning environments. The Director also champions innovative learning approaches, educational technologies, and evidence-based instructional practices that reflect Wharton’s thought leadership and commitment to world-class executive education. WEE comprises three business units: Custom, Open Enrollment, and Online. This position is part of the Open Enrollment business unit, with collaboration essential both within the Open Enrollment team and across WEE. The Director partners with Business Development and Revenue Management in support of group enrollments, ACP recruitment, and new business opportunities and collaborates with the Custom and Online teams to leverage capabilities across the division. The Director’s portfolio also includes new partnership programs requests with other universities, structured as customized offerings with the partner institution serving as the client. In collaboration with the Senior Director, the Director develops and executes strategies to expand WEE’s university partnership portfolio. The Director assesses client needs and ensures that each curriculum delivers against the institution’s objectives. The Director also manages client satisfaction and retention, with the goal of developing and maintaining high-value, multiyear relationships. The Director owns program financial performance, including revenue, expenses, pricing strategy, profitability, and partnership contracting. Each program is supported by one or more program managers responsible for logistics and delivery. The Director provides matrix leadership to these Delivery Teams, establishing priorities and ensuring clear communication, effective project planning, and high-quality execution of the learning experience. As an experienced member of the team, the Director mentors and guides colleagues by providing subject-matter expertise, advising on complex program decisions, and helping identify and engage key faculty and institutional stakeholders. This leadership is exercised through influence and expertise rather than direct supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, education, organizational development, management, or a related field and 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience independently managing a complex portfolio of executive education, professional learning, higher education, or related programs from strategy and development through delivery and evaluation.
Strong business and financial acumen, including experience evaluating market opportunities, developing pricing strategies, managing program budgets or P&Ls, assessing profitability, and making resource allocation recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to use market intelligence, enrollment data, client or participant feedback, competitive analysis, and financial results to guide portfolio and program decisions.
Experience developing and launching new programs, products, or learning solutions, including assessing market demand, strategic alignment, operational feasibility, and financial viability.
Proven ability to exercise independent judgment, navigate complex approval processes, and make or recommend decisions with significant financial, operational, and reputational implications.
Exceptional relationship-management and influencing skills, with experience partnering effectively with faculty, senior executives, institutional leaders, clients, and cross-functional teams.
Experience assessing client needs and translating organizational objectives into customized programs or solutions.
Demonstrated ability to provide matrix leadership, mentor colleagues, and guide teams through influence and subject-matter expertise without direct supervisory authority.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and negotiation skills, including the ability to communicate complex recommendations and decisions clearly to senior stakeholders.
Experience working across cultures and in global environments.
Ability to travel and work outside normal business hours on occasion.
Also, serve as essential personnel.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Business development and client retention experience strongly preferred.
Familiarity with in-person, online, live virtual, and blended learning formats preferred.
Proficiency with CRM, financial management, project management, and program administration systems; experience with Salesforce or similar platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, full ownership, and decision making of a significant, complex portfolio of high-profile Open Enrollment programs serving senior executive audiences.
Partner with Wharton faculty and institutional leadership to maintain relevant content, integrate Wharton’s latest thinking, and deliver an exceptional participant experience.
Evaluate enrollment, market trends, competitive positioning, participant feedback, and financial performance to guide program enhancements, pricing strategy, investment, and portfolio evolution.
Direct program planning, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement, with accountability for quality, relevance, participant satisfaction, and financial success.
Manage stakeholder expectations and exercise significant judgment in resolving complex issues while balancing faculty and participant needs, institutional priorities, operational constraints, and responsible stewardship of Wharton’s resources.
Lead the evaluation and development of new Open Enrollment programs from initial opportunity through approval and launch.
Partner with Wharton faculty and senior leadership to assess market demand, strategic alignment, competitive positioning, content, delivery approach, pricing, and projected profitability.
Exercise independent judgment in advancing, reshaping, or declining opportunities and navigate complex stakeholder expectations and approval processes.
Communicate recommendations, decisions, and supporting rationale to key stakeholders, recognizing the long-term financial, operational, and reputational impact on the business.
Integrate insights and capabilities across Open Enrollment, Custom, Online, and Live offerings to strengthen portfolio differentiation and advance the division’s strategic priorities.
In partnership with senior leadership, identify and execute strategies to expand WEE’s university partnership portfolio.
Cultivate prospective and existing institutional relationships, identify new business opportunities, and lead the response to new partnership requests from initial assessment through program development and execution.
Collaborate with university stakeholders, Wharton faculty, and internal partners to translate each institution’s specific objectives into customized programming.
Evaluate strategic fit, feasibility, pricing, and financial viability; manage stakeholder expectations and approval processes; and communicate recommendations and decisions to ensure partnerships advance WEE’s strategic and financial objectives.
Independently responsible for assuring targeted contributions to the profitability of the department through active P&L management, accurate pricing, and management of expenses.
Collaborate with colleagues from Business Development, Client Relations and Marketing to support group enrollments, advanced certificate programs and revenue growth initiative.
Work closely with colleagues across the division to leverage best practices and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Contribute to strategic initiatives that strengthen WEE's overall portfolio and participant experience.
Provide mentorship, guidance, and subject-matter expertise to Directors and other team members, particularly those developing their knowledge of Open Enrollment and university partnership programming.
Advise colleagues throughout program development and execution, helping them navigate complex decisions, identify and engage key faculty and institutional stakeholders, and manage stakeholder expectations.
Support the development of new content, programs, and university partnerships while promoting sound judgment, effective practices, and knowledge-sharing across the team.
Manage the effort of the Delivery Team for assigned programs to ensure that all logistical and operational details are prepared and delivered with exceptional customer service.
Stay informed about global business trends, leadership priorities, industry developments, and competitive offerings that influence executive education.
Translate market insights into recommendations for program enhancements and future offerings.
Maintain expertise in executive education best practices, adult learning principles, and evolving leadership development needs.