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Director of Special Projects

Employer
University of Pennsylvania
Location
Pennsylvania, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Mar 11, 2024

View more

Position Type
Executive, Other Executive
Employment Level
Administrative
Employment Type
Full Time


Director of Special Projects

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title
Director of Special Projects

Job Profile Title
Director B, Academic Affairs

Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Vice President and Chief of Staff, the Director of Special Projects is responsible for planning, coordinating, and advancing projects and priorities of import and sensitivity from concept to implementation and evaluation for the Office of the President. To successfully accomplish this work, the Director of Special Projects will leverage, build, and maintain relationships across the University, prioritize and schedule activities, conduct research, prepare materials, and collaborate with the President's Office team.

In addition to the responsibilities, duties, and qualifications listed below, the Director of Special Projects will be an integral member of the Office of the President and the Penn community. Integrity, exceptional judgement, a collaborative spirit, and a good sense of humor will be essential traits for the Director of Special Projects.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Project Management
  • Manages special projects in support of the President, the Vice President and Chief of Staff, and the University, ensuring key deliverables are achieved. This work may include coordinating programs for diverse stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, and external audiences), and facilitating engagement opportunities for the Office of the President.
  • Serves as a liaison to schools, departments, and centers to develop programs, resolve issues, and advance initiatives.
  • Ensures matters requiring attention of the President, Vice President and Chief of Staff, and other senior leaders are researched, evaluated, and shared as appropriate; provides recommendations and proposals for achieving desired outcomes for programs and initiatives.
  • Supports the implementation of University priorities, including the University's strategic framework: In Principle and Practice.


Briefing, Research, Writing
  • Prepares briefings, conducts research and analysis in support of critical functions for the Office of the President; coordinates, oversees, and/or staffs events and meetings.
  • Researches, analyzes, and studies information, policies, trends, and issues affecting the University; prepares reports on key topics and emerging trends for the Office of the President.
  • Researches, writes, edits, and/or coordinates briefings, presentations, talking points, correspondence, and other materials.


Other Duties
  • Manages, coordinates, and contributes to other projects as designated by the Vice President and Chief of Staff.
  • Supports general operations of the Office of the President.
  • Assists with unforeseen priorities.


Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess:
  • A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 to 7 years of relevant experience; demonstrated experience managing high visibility and/or long term complex projects is preferred
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills; proven ability to clearly articulate information in multiple forums to a broad array of stakeholders
  • The ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and challenging situations with tact and diplomacy
  • The ability to develop and cultivate trusted relationships with stakeholders, especially senior University leaders, faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni
  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • An ability to balance multiple tasks in a high-paced environment
  • A strong work ethic, an unwavering commitment to integrity, and a strict adherence to maintaining confidentiality
  • A high degree of initiative and a proactive approach that anticipates and responds to the needs of executives
  • A proven ability to work collaboratively and professionally with all levels of an organization
  • Exceptional attention to detail and sound judgement
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills, both oral and written
  • Experience and acumen with digital presentation design, including social media
  • The ability to respond outside of normal business hours
  • Ability to adjust quickly to competing priorities


Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of the University of Pennsylvania, its culture, policies, and procedures
  • Ability to translate prior experiences and knowledge in support of the institution's mission, strategic aims, and programs


Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
President's Center

Pay Range
$61,046.00 - $110,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits
  • Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  • Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  • Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  • Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  • Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  • Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  • University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  • Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  • Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  • Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  • Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.



To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay


To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/College-Hall-Pres-Office/Director-of-Special-Projects_JR00087400



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