Senior Associate Director of Alumni Events, Wharton External Affairs
About The Position
The Senior Associate Director of Alumni Events plans and delivers major alumni engagement programs for Wharton External Affairs, including MBA and Executive MBA reunions, regional events, and support for the Wharton Global Forums. The role oversees event planning and execution, including communications and marketing, budgets, vendor and venue management, production, and coordination with partners across Wharton and Penn. It also supports reunion class communications and resources and works with alumni volunteers to facilitate reunion planning, participation, and engagement. The position is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, within the Wharton School. It requires a bachelor’s degree and 5 to 7 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and 5 to 7 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex, high-profile events while managing multiple priorities, timelines, and logistical details simultaneously.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage projects from planning through execution and follow-up.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to collaborate with senior leaders, alumni volunteers, internal partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.
- Experience managing event budgets, vendor relationships, contracts, and related financial processes, with sound judgment and attention to fiscal responsibility.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to develop and coordinate event-related communications and engagement strategies for varied audiences.
Responsibilities
- Partner with Alumni Relations on all aspects of MBA and Executive MBA reunion programming and logistics.
- Secure and negotiate contracts with vendors and venues.
- Manage multiple budgets and revenue projections for reunion programs.
- Coordinate technology requests and manage floor plans and day-of logistics for on-campus and off-campus reunion activities.
- Oversee staffing plans for more than 70 internal staff and over two dozen vendors.
- Consult on marketing strategy for MBA and Executive MBA reunion programs.
- Curate and manage class-specific pages on the MBA reunion website.
- Advise on class-planned reunion events, including venue, budget, timing, and marketing suggestions.
- Work with the reunion team on 12- to 24-month reunion event strategy, goals, and outcomes.
- Participate in reunion volunteer committee calls.
- Manage alumni expectations for reunion registration and events, and communicate regularly with alumni about Wharton reunions and other events.
- Lead or support other alumni engagement events, including regional event series and Wharton Global Forums.
- Manage or mentor one staff member working on additional alumni engagement or reunion events.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
- Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
- Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn, and for dependent children at other institutions
- Basic, matching, and supplemental retirement plans
- Substantial time away from work
- Long-term care insurance
- Wellness and work-life programs and resources
- Professional and personal development resources
- Access to University resources and cultural and recreational activities
- Discounts and special services
- Flexible work options
- Forgivable home ownership loan for eligible employees
- Adoption expense reimbursement for eligible employees
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
