Director of Finance and Operations - University of Pennsylvania

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 Finance and Operations





Job Profile Title

Administrative and Financial Officer





Job Description Summary

Reporting directly to the Associate Vice Provost for Global Initiatives with an indirect report to the Associate Vice Provost, Finance and Planning, Provost Administrative Affairs, the Director, Administration & Finance, acts as primary operational and analytical resource for the division, with responsibility for strategic financial planning and budgeting as well as independently resolving time-sensitive and critical requests, problem solving and trouble-shooting issues. This individual will be a visionary to both create procedure and improve Penn Global's financial processes and financial reporting communication. The Director, working closely with Penn Global Senior Management and the Provost Office, will participate in strategic planning, produce and utilize data collections and reporting to provide analytical support, including variance and flux analysis to determine areas requiring deeper analysis and conduct further investigation into variances. This position maintains a key role in the annual budget process, including consultation with Senior Management and the Provost office, in preparation of the budget, review of the budget submission for substantive and mechanical accuracy and provide analysis for short and long term planning. Penn Global consists of five distinct and important divisions: Global Initiatives, which manages millions of dollars in research awards among other things, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Penn Abroad, Perry World House, Penn Washington (formerly the Penn Biden Center), and Penn Wharton China Center.


The Director position also directly manages four full-time and one part-time staff whose work product includes purchasing, payroll, accounts payable, program reporting and ORG-level analysis, compliance, maintaining use and knowledge of Penn financial systems and tax reporting. This position serves as the primary liaison with Provost Human Resources for Penn Global HR related issues. The Director provides leadership and management during procedure restructuring, software transitions, and programmatic growth amongst new or growing initiatives, including training, as well as managing and streamlining reports and analyses in these areas. This requires coordinating activities and procedures with numerous external offices including- DAR, FRES, Tax Office, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, ORS, Budget Office, & HR.


Given the broad responsibilities, the individual in this position must possess a combination of big picture, intellectual curiosity, detailed thinking, and exceptional communication and technical skills, as well as an appreciation for Penn Global's mission to bring the world to Penn and Penn to the world.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Develop, monitor and manage Penn Global budgets; play active role in in planning of Penn Global's short and long-term budgets; participate in strategic planning; provide financial analyses, projections, forecasts, etc. to support short and long-range planning.


+ Develop and analyze financial reports as needed, routinely communicating financial trends and results to Penn Global and Provost senior leadership; make recommendations to maintain and improve Penn Global's fiscal stability.


+ Manage Business Services staff and business processes; develop and implement procedures and policies related to Penn Global business office; maintains financial records systems in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.


+ Act as primary liaison for HR issues working collaboratively with Provost Office HR; oversee annual performance review, annual salary increase program & advise on staff relations issues.


+ Directs management for all gifts, endowments, and grant/sponsored projects; financial budgeting and planning, financial analysis and reporting, and financial operations including performance metrics for administrative functions. Works closely with Penn Global directors to design and oversee budgets with sustainable income-generating revenue streams.


+ Working collaboratively with ISC, act as primary liaison for Penn Global IT needs as provided by ISC; ensures software an hardware needs are met and future needs are included in budget planning. Acts as principal liaison with IT for long-range projects; provides status updates to senior leadership; serves as administrative lead on significant IT projects.


+ Responsible for general office administration including office space, infrastructure and space planning, oversee all financial transactions including purchasing, payroll, reimbursement process and accounts payable.


+ Provide oversight and guidance to all Penn Global staff on fiscal policy, communicating and leading their education and interactions with Penn policy and administrative needs.



Qualifications



+ Bachelors Degree and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.


+ Master's degree preferred.


+ Strong financial accounting background preferred.



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

Penn Global





Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $140,000.00 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.