Senior Director, Wharton Human Resources & People Operations

The Wharton School•Philadelphia, PA

7d•$135,327 - $186,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director of Wharton Human Resources & People Operations is a key leader responsible for developing and advancing strategic human resources and talent management initiatives at the Wharton School. The role aligns HR strategies with the School’s vision and values and fosters a positive, high-performing workplace. It oversees the optimization and digital transformation of talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, compliance, and employee development, while serving as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership and connecting workforce challenges with practical solutions. The Senior Director leads the transformation of traditional HR services—including recruitment, training, and performance management—to promote innovation, excellence, and employee well-being. The role also contributes to University-wide HR initiatives through Core HR committees, working groups, task forces, and cross-school collaborations. The position oversees HR strategy and operations for Wharton’s extensions, including San Francisco and global engagements, and leads and develops the Wharton HR team. It advances talent management, employee relations, workforce development, learning, and technology-enabled people operations, using automation, AI, and people analytics to improve processes and inform decisions. The role is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Requirements

Master’s degree and 10 or more years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Significant HR leadership experience developing and executing people strategies in a large, complex organization.
Expertise across multiple HR disciplines, including employee relations, talent management, organizational development, performance management, compensation, workforce planning, and employee engagement.
Substantial experience advising and coaching senior leaders on complex and sensitive workforce, organizational, and employee relations matters, including investigations, conflict resolution, performance concerns, reorganizations, and organizational change.
Ability to translate organizational priorities into practical people strategies, programs, and solutions while balancing employee, leadership, operational, and institutional considerations.
Ability to lead, develop, and empower HR professionals by setting direction, establishing accountability, coaching for performance, and building team capability.
Experience leading organizational change and improving HR practices, processes, or service delivery through innovative, employee-centered approaches.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including experience using workforce data, metrics, and other insights to identify trends, inform decisions, and develop proactive solutions.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, consultation, and influencing skills; ability to build trusted relationships and work effectively across levels and stakeholder groups.
Discretion, sound judgment, and ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters in a complex organization.
Experience serving as a strategic HR advisor to executive or senior leadership teams and contributing to organization-wide workforce and business decisions.
Applicants must submit a cover letter.

Nice To Haves

Senior HR leadership experience in higher education, a large decentralized institution, or another complex, mission-driven organization.
Experience using HR technology, automation, artificial intelligence, and/or people analytics to improve HR operations, employee experience, and organizational decision-making.
Experience working in a highly matrixed or decentralized environment requiring collaboration across schools, divisions, functions, or locations.
HR professional certification such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or a comparable advanced certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute progressive HR strategies aligned with Wharton leadership objectives and organizational culture.
Shift the school HR function from a process-oriented model to an end-to-end strategic and tactical approach across the employee lifecycle and organizational optimization.
Oversee HR needs for Wharton extensions, including San Francisco and global engagements; ensure compliance with regional employment regulations and apply global best practices that account for local considerations.
Build cross-organizational partnerships that advance the School’s and University’s objectives.
Participate in Core HR initiatives, committees, task forces, and cross-school collaborations; mentor colleagues in Penn’s HR community.
Lead recruitment, development, and retention strategies, including onboarding, talent pipelines, and recruitment optimization.
Use data analytics to anticipate turnover trends and develop responses.
Oversee staff compensation matters, including competitive salaries, counteroffers, reclassifications, salary adjustments, additional pay, and bonuses.
Address complex employee relations matters, including investigations, reorganizations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary processes; use analytics to identify trends and create proactive interventions.
Advise, coach, and guide managers and leaders on employee-related topics.
Establish a technology-enabled HR and people operations function, using automation and AI to optimize processes.
Design, implement, and use people analytics to identify opportunities, trends, and proactive approaches; use technology to improve clarity around HR policies and practices.
Monitor HR and people analytics trends and apply insights from Wharton research to workplace practices.
Lead, empower, and develop the Wharton HR team through learning opportunities, feedback, and coaching.
Design, facilitate, and/or organize professional development opportunities that support employees’ personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Flexible spending accounts for eligible healthcare 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, with pre-tax or Roth savings options and investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Substantial time away from work during the year.
Long-term care insurance options for eligible employees and family members.
Wellness and work-life programs and resources.
Professional and personal development resources.
Access to University resources, libraries, athletic facilities, cultural activities, and recreational activities.
Discounts and special services, including arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, goods, and services.
Flexible work options and hours.
Forgivable home ownership loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia.
Adoption assistance reimbursement for eligible expenses, up to two adoptions per household.