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

Administrative Director, Professional Masters Programs, Earth & Environmental Science

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Student Services, Graduate Programs

Job Description Summary

The University of Pennsylvania’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (Penn LPS) seeks to lead the field of higher education in the creation of unique and innovative opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds. These highly accessible academic opportunities are distinguished by their academic rigor and world-class instructional staff, while the support offered to students by Penn LPS is distinguished by its comprehensive and holistic quality. LPS programs are designed to empower individuals and enhance their personal and professional lives. Our graduates are global citizens committed to creating a better, more inclusive world.

The Administrative Director of the Professional Masters Programs in Earth & Environmental Science (EES) supports SAS’ strategic goal to deliver excellent, innovative academic programs that aligns Penn’s strengths in the Earth and Environmental Science Department (EES) with the needs of professional studies audiences seeking to advance their knowledge and careers in the Environmental and Geosciences fields. The Administrative Director is responsible for ensuring reliable program operations, while prioritizing student success and satisfaction; they recommend strategic goals for the program in this context. With the Director of Professional Masters Programs in EES, they develop and implement a plan to achieve the goals of the Master of Science in Applied Geosciences (MSAG) and Master of Environmental Studies (MES) programs and implement the means for measuring success.

Job Description

Duties

The position coordinates all aspects of program operations including: planning and scheduling program events; developing and implementing systems to communicate program information to prospective and current students and alumni; managing the program budgets; rostering courses and completing stipend paperwork for course instructors; coordinating student travel and research materials for students; and organizing professional development opportunities for students in collaboration with the Program Director. They will work with the EES Professional Master’s Program Director and the Enrollment Management and Marketing staff to develop and implement systems and coordinate logistics to support strategic recruitment, prospect management, and admissions for the MSAG and MES programs. To ensure that LPS Programs adhere to the highest standards of excellence, the Administrative Director implements routine program evaluation by developing systems and handling the logistics to support the outcomes and assessment reporting of the programs. The Administrative Director reports directly to the Director of Professional Masters Programs in Earth and Environmental Science and works closely with LPS enrollment services, records, budget, recruitment and admissions teams, as well as with other offices and departments in the University such as Weingarten Learning Center, International Student and Scholar Services, Career Services, and Wellness at Penn.

Job Responsibilities

• Student Services: Organize, coordinate and manage daily operations of the MES and MSAG programs. Engage students in a vibrant professional community. Communicate with prospective students and track progress toward application completion, Intent to Enroll, and registration. Connect students with resources and services available to them on campus including services related to student wellbeing. Manage professional development programming such as LEED, HAZWOPER, and LCA by negotiating student/group rates, student registration, and logistics.

• Enrollment Services: With LPS Enrollment Management, manage the logistics for marketing and recruitment strategies to seek and enroll highly qualified students and meet enrollment targets; manage the recruitment commitments of the program director and academic advisers; reach-out to prospective students; convert accepted students; and manage the admissions processes in conjunction with the program director and academic advisers. Monitor applications, admissions, and retention, via the existing LPS systems, e.g., Slate, Pennant, Path at Penn, and collate data from these systems for outcomes and assessment reporting for the program director and faculty advisory committees.

• Budget Reconciliation and Course Roster: Develop and implement best practices and administrative oversight throughout the program including monitoring, reconciling, and maintaining four budgets and collaborating with two business offices. Oversee course rostering and liaise with the business office regarding lecturer, TA and capstone stipends.

• Faculty Support : In collaboration with the Program Director, work with the faculty to address student concerns, course delivery issues, access to faculty resources, and coordinate field trip logistics. Coordinate purchase of required course software and other materials as needed. Work with the program director to manage student permit requests during registration.

• Course and Program Events: Oversee the organization of program events including New Student Orientation, Fall Professional Development Retreat, Graduate Research Conference, Information Sessions for prospective students, and Coffee Hours. Organize the Graduate Advisory Board and provide logistics support for associated events. Work with program director to develop other professional development opportunities.

• Alumni Relations : Expand alumni relations and maintain alumni databases for the MES and MSAG programs. Coordinate with the alumni to develop activities between the programs and an alumni association.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in academic administration in a university setting is required; or equivalent in positions of increasing responsibility. Masters degree preferred.

• A proven record in the operational success of continuing education or graduate programs as measured by multiple criteria (academic excellence, student success and satisfaction, enrollment and revenue growth).

• Ability to foster and sustain relationships with faculty and senior administrators in LPS and other university divisions, programs, and schools and to convey how liberal and professional programs bring value to SAS and Penn and advance the school’s and university’s missions.

• The ideal candidate will have outstanding oral and written communication skills, a demonstrated ability to interact with professional students, the ability to work successfully as part of a team and be goal oriented.

• Able to work some evenings and weekends.

• Preferred: Success in system optimization. Knowledge of current trends in continuing and professional education. Familiarity with environmental studies and/or geology a plus.

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $72,000.00 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.

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

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on 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.