Senior Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

University of Pennsylvania

3d•$132,275 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director, Open Enrollment, provides strategic and operational leadership for Wharton Executive Education's Open Enrollment business, overseeing a team of Directors responsible for developing, delivering, and continuously enhancing a diverse portfolio of executive education programs. The Senior Director is accountable for ensuring the quality, relevance, financial performance, and long-term growth of the Open Enrollment portfolio while fostering innovation and maintaining Wharton's position as a global leader in executive education. In addition to leading the Open Enrollment director team, the Senior Director directly manages a portfolio of high-profile strategic programs and partnerships. Working closely with Wharton and Penn faculty, the Senior Director cultivates strong relationships that support curriculum innovation, faculty engagement, and portfolio growth. The Senior Director maintains a deep understanding of faculty expertise, teaching approaches, and emerging research while collaborating with faculty and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for new program offerings, refresh existing programs, and respond to evolving market demand. In partnership with the Senior Executive Director and academic leadership, the Senior Director develops strategies to broaden and diversify the faculty pool by engaging new Wharton and Penn faculty as well as distinguished industry practitioners and global thought leaders. The Senior Director provides strategic oversight for program quality and participant experience across the Open Enrollment portfolio. This includes establishing standards for instructional excellence, monitoring participant satisfaction and learning outcomes, reviewing program evaluations, and ensuring that participant feedback is translated into meaningful program enhancements. The Senior Director oversees the evolution of the portfolio, considering all modalities, including how to incorporate hybrid content into programs. They will ensure consistent approaches to post-program engagement and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of innovation and service excellence. The Senior Director is accountable for the overall financial performance of the Open Enrollment portfolio, partnering with Directors to monitor enrollment trends, revenue, expenses, profitability, and resource utilization. The Senior Director works collaboratively with leadership to establish portfolio priorities, allocate resources effectively, and ensure programs contribute to the financial success of Wharton Executive Education. As a member of the Open Enrollment leadership team, the Senior Director partners closely with colleagues across Business Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Client Relations, Operations, Online, and Custom Executive Education to advance organizational priorities and deliver a seamless participant experience. The Senior Director serves as a strategic advisor and subject-matter expert on executive education trends, supporting business development initiatives, proposal development, strategic partnerships, and, when appropriate, institutional collaborations. The Senior Director continuously monitors global business, leadership, and executive education trends, competitive offerings, and participant demand to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and growth. The Senior Director represents Wharton Executive Education internally and externally, articulating the distinctive value of the Open Enrollment portfolio and strengthening Wharton's reputation as a premier provider of executive education. The Senior Director must demonstrate exceptional leadership, sound business judgment, and the ability to build strong relationships across diverse constituencies. Success in this role requires experience leading high-performing teams, collaborating effectively across cultures and disciplines, and navigating complex organizational environments. Domestic and international travel is required as needed to support faculty engagement, strategic partnerships, and program delivery.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in executive education, higher education, professional education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with the ability to provide strategic direction, establish priorities, and foster collaboration and accountability.
Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing a portfolio of programs, products, or services with responsibility for growth, revenue, profitability, resource allocation, and overall performance.
Proven ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively with senior-level stakeholders, including faculty, academic leaders, executives, clients, and cross-functional partners.
Experience developing, evaluating, and evolving educational programs or comparable offerings in response to changing customer needs, market trends, participant feedback, and emerging opportunities.
Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizations, manage multiple priorities, and lead through influence.
This position is considered essential personnel, and expected to travel (domestic and international) as well as work outside of normal business hours including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Open Enrollment director team, overseeing a portfolio of executive education programs and ensuring alignment with Wharton Executive Education's strategic objectives.
Lead and develop a team of Directors responsible for the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of open enrollment programs. Establish portfolio priorities, identify opportunities for growth and innovation, and oversee the evolution of the portfolio across in-person, blended, and emerging learning modalities. Directly manage a portfolio of high-profile strategic programs and institutional partnerships.
Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate a team of Directors responsible for program management and portfolio performance. Establish performance expectations, support professional development, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture. Guide Directors in strategic planning, decision-making, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.
Provide oversight for the financial performance of the Open Enrollment portfolio, including revenue, expenses, profitability, enrollment performance, and resource utilization. Partner with Directors to develop financial strategies, monitor program performance, and achieve annual revenue and profitability goals. Allocate resources to optimize portfolio performance and support organizational growth objectives.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with Wharton and Penn faculty to advance curriculum innovation, program quality, and portfolio growth. Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to identify emerging topics, refresh existing programs, and develop new executive education offerings. Develop strategies to diversify and expand the faculty pool by engaging Wharton and Penn faculty, industry leaders, and global subject matter experts.
Participate as a key member of the Open Enrollment leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and organizational decision-making. Collaborate with senior leaders across Business Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Client Relations, Operations, Online, and Custom Executive Education to advance strategic initiatives and deliver an integrated participant experience. Serve as a strategic advisor on executive education trends, supporting business development efforts, proposal development, and institutional partnerships.
Establish standards for instructional excellence and participant experience across the Open Enrollment portfolio.
Monitor participant satisfaction, learning outcomes, and program evaluations, ensuring feedback is incorporated into program enhancements. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen program quality, innovation, and service excellence.
Monitor global business, leadership, executive education, and competitive market trends to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and growth. Evaluate market demand, participant needs, and competitive positioning to guide investment and program portfolio decisions. Represent Wharton Executive Education internally and externally, promoting the value and impact of the Open Enrollment portfolio.

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 other institutions
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with pre-tax or Roth options and investment choices through TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial time away from work for relaxation, vacation, personal affairs, and illness recovery
Long-Term Care Insurance
Wellness and Work-life Resources
Professional and Personal Development resources
Access to a wide range of University resources, cultural, and recreational activities
Discounts on arts, entertainment, transportation, and other goods and services
Flexible Work Hours options
Penn Home Ownership Services (forgivable loan for eligible employees)
Adoption Assistance