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 Associate Director for Student Engagement Job Profile Title Associate Director B, Student Services, Student Engagement Job Description Summary The Graduate Student Center (Grad Center) serves as a central hub for resources, activities, support, and advocacy for all 17,000+ graduate and professional students at Penn. In addition to providing a central gathering and study space for students, the Grad Center holds events throughout the year designed to help students gain the skills, experiences, and community they need for a truly successful graduate experience. The Grad Center provides individual advising and resource referrals to students and serves as a primary advisor to university-wide graduate and professional student organizations, including the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA). Job Description Position SummaryReporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Associate Director for Student Engagement (ADSE) works with partners throughout the University to develop, implement, and evaluate student-focused orientation activities and student engagement resources and training in support of 17,000+ graduate and professional students. The ADSE also plays an integral role in guiding the development, implementation, and supervision of several large-scale events and initiatives, including GradFest, Graduate Wellness Week, Fourth Fridays@Five, graduation awards ceremonies, and more. The ADSE shares in responsibility for advising and oversight of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) and other university-wide graduate student organizations. This includes meeting regularly with student organization leaders, providing guidance on programs that will engage the graduate student community, and assisting with oversight and ensuring that University policies and procedures are followed. Develops and provides guidance and training to graduate student leaders, including creating and running quality programs and related topics. Assists with development and maintenance of up-to-date leadership manuals, guidelines, and webpages for graduate student leaders. The ADSE plays a leadership role in helping to cultivate a positive, success-driven environment that demands both high levels of individual responsibility and effective and meaningful collaboration with internal and external colleagues for both the Grad Center and GAPSA leadership teams. The AD also plays an important role in maintaining the Grad Center’s role as a vibrant, welcoming hub of graduate and professional student life at Penn. Job Responsibilities + Manage University-wide new student orientation and outreach for approximately 6000 incoming graduate and professional students annually. Serves as a liaison with faculty, staff, and student services to develop and deliver up-to-date programming and resources to integrate within or supplement programming in schools and degree programs. This includes managing Thrive at Penn Canvas courses, developing and updating new student resources, and coordinating with partners in the schools and throughout the University to support students as they transition to graduate life at Penn. Represent Grad Center at open houses, resource fairs, and related activities. + Assist with developing and coordinating student engagement activities and resources for 17,000+ graduate and professional students. Collaborate with campus partners and Grad Center Programming team to develop, implement, and promote engagement opportunities to reflect evolving student needs and interests. Facilitate continued success of existing student engagement and wellness programs. This includes coordinating with strategic partners, as appropriate, to oversee the successful planning, implementation, and promotion of large-scale annual events and initiatives, including GradFest, Graduate Wellness Week, graduation awards ceremonies, and more. + Support and contribute to advising and supervision of GAPSA and GAPSA-funded graduate organizations to ensure compliance with University and school policies.. Consult and collaborate with the Office of Student Affairs and other partners to advise on University policies and to develop and maintain leadership materials, guidelines, and webpages for graduate student leaders. Develops and provides guidance and training to graduate student leaders, including creating and running quality programs and related topics. Provide fiscal oversight of approximately $600k in annual University-wide graduate organization group funding and ticket (SOBC) budget allocation process. + Support the Grad Center Executive Director on programming and operations. Assist with strategic outreach in support of special projects and initiatives. + Solicit and analyze feedback from students as part of regular assessment reporting and use data to refine programs and outreach. + Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Qualifications + Bachelor's degree and 2 to 3 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. + Master's degree and experience in an academic discipline strongly preferred. + Experience working with graduate and professional students, preferably in an administrative or professional role. + Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, faculty, and administrative partners. + Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a sensitivity to the needs and concerns of diverse groups of students. + Preferred experience with Adobe Creative Suite and comfort with social media. + Demonstrated experience in developing, administering and assessing programs, workshops, or similar events. + Must have outstanding writing and presentation skills and a high level of organization and project management skills. + Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated supervisory, budgetary and event planning skills; all candidates will be expected to follow all University procedures and protocols in these and other administrative areas. Application Requirement + A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV ; multiple documents are allowed. Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School Provost's Center Pay Range $43,919.00 - $70,210.00 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. Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) , citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law . Special Requirements Background checks may be 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 The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.