Executive Director, Alumni Programming & Events, Wharton External Affairs

The Wharton School•Philadelphia, PA

1d•$135,327 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Alumni Programming & Events provides strategic leadership and oversight for Wharton External Affairs' alumni engagement programming, including lifelong learning initiatives and the full portfolio of alumni and donor events. Leading a team responsible for alumni programming, lifelong learning, and event strategy and execution, the Executive Director establishes a shared vision, develops talent, and fosters a collaborative, high-performing culture that advances Wharton's engagement goals. Responsible for the short- and long-term development and implementation of Wharton's alumni learning and programming strategy, the Executive Director ensures content is relevant, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities. Working closely with faculty and school leadership, the Executive Director translates Wharton's research, thought leadership, and strategic priorities into compelling programming that resonates with alumni and donors and advances lifelong engagement. Setting the vision for alumni-facing content across regional events, reunions, and global programs, the Executive Director identifies opportunities to connect faculty expertise, institutional priorities, and alumni interests to create meaningful, high-impact engagement experiences. In partnership with stakeholders across Alumni Relations, Development, Principal Gifts & Board Relations, Executive Education, academic departments, the Dean's Office, and faculty leadership, the Executive Director develops, shapes, and delivers programming that reflects Wharton's academic excellence while supporting the school's engagement and fundraising priorities. As a member of the External Affairs leadership team reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Executive Director collaborates with senior leaders across External Affairs and works closely with the Executive Director of Institutional and Strategic Events to ensure alignment across alumni, donor, and institutional engagement. The Executive Director also oversees the integration of content and events strategy, manages resources and budgets, and leads the team responsible for execution, ensuring programs advance engagement and fundraising goals while connecting Wharton's research, thought leadership, and strategic priorities with meaningful alumni and donor experiences. As the senior leader accountable for the overall strategy, performance, and results of External Affairs’ alumni programming, lifelong learning, and events portfolio, the Executive Director advises the Chief Advancement Officer and External Affairs leadership on alumni engagement, lifelong learning, and event strategy. The role brings constituent insights, program performance, emerging trends, and leading practices to inform broader advancement strategy and priorities, and translates those insights into recommendations and new approaches developed in partnership with the External Affairs senior leadership team. The portfolio serves Wharton’s global alumni community through an integrated engagement strategy spanning in-person and virtual channels.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and over 10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Leadership experience in alumni relations, advancement, executive education, higher education administration, events, content strategy, communications, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic engagement initiatives, large-scale events, or educational programming for sophisticated audiences.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, faculty, volunteers, and cross-functional stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority across complex organizations.
Experience developing content strategies and translating complex ideas into compelling educational or engagement experiences.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, budgets, and multiple concurrent initiatives while balancing competing priorities.
Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, including the ability to use data and audience insights to inform programming decisions.
Understanding of advancement, alumni relations, and fundraising strategies, including the role of engagement programming in strengthening constituent relationships and philanthropic outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in higher education, academic medicine, or another complex, mission-driven organization.
Experience partnering directly with faculty, researchers, or academic leadership to develop educational programming or thought leadership initiatives.
Demonstrated understanding of how alumni engagement, donor stewardship, lifelong learning, and fundraising strategies intersect.
Experience creating executive-level content and experiences that align institutional priorities with audience interests.
Familiarity with advancement, alumni relations, or constituent engagement within a research university.
Experience overseeing global or geographically distributed engagement programs.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership and oversight for alumni engagement programming, including lifelong learning initiatives and alumni and donor events.
Establishes a shared vision, develops talent, and fosters a collaborative, high-performing culture for the alumni programming, lifelong learning, and event strategy team.
Develops and implements Wharton's alumni learning and programming strategy, ensuring content is relevant, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities.
Translates Wharton's research, thought leadership, and strategic priorities into compelling programming for alumni and donors.
Sets the vision for alumni-facing content across regional events, reunions, and global programs.
Partners with stakeholders across various departments to develop and deliver programming that supports engagement and fundraising priorities.
Collaborates with senior leaders to ensure alignment across alumni, donor, and institutional engagement.
Oversees the integration of content and events strategy, manages resources and budgets, and leads the execution team.
Advises leadership on alumni engagement, lifelong learning, and event strategy.
Informs broader advancement strategy and priorities using constituent insights, program performance, emerging trends, and leading practices.
Develops recommendations and new approaches in partnership with the External Affairs senior leadership team.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care expenses.
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn and potentially other institutions.
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with pre-tax or Roth options and a variety of investment choices.
Substantial time away from work for relaxation, vacation, personal affairs, illness, or family needs.
Long-Term Care Insurance options.
Wellness and work-life resources and programs.
Professional and personal development resources.
Access to a wide range of University resources, cultural activities, and recreational facilities.
Discounts and special services for arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, and more.
Flexible work hours and options.
Home ownership assistance program (forgivable loan).
Adoption assistance reimbursement.