Director of Undergraduate Education & Innovation - 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 Undergraduate Education & Innovation





Job Profile Title

Director A, Student Services





Job Description Summary

The SNF Paideia Program creates and supports opportunities for the Penn community to learn about dialogue, from dialogue, and how to dialogue, towards a goal of individual and community wellness. Encompassing a wide range of practices, SNF Paideia’s dialogue work emphasizes intentionality, curiosity, humility, and community as its core values. SNF Paideia contributes to the diverse dialogue landscape at Penn through courses, fellows programs, events, and resources.


The Director of Undergraduate Education & Innovation is responsible for developing and managing new, student-focused extra-curricular programs that align with the mission of SNF Paideia for undergraduate students across Penn’s 12 schools. This position extends beyond the undergraduate fellows program, encompassing oversight of the Student Advisory Board, collaboration with the college housing network and other university units, and management of a small graduate fellows program (where the fellows serve as Teaching Assistants or in similar roles to support undergraduate programming).


Additionally, the Director leads the development and implementation of new initiatives, including an alumni program for SNF Paideia Fellows and expanded opportunities for current undergraduates to engage with the program outside the classroom. The Director may also teach occasionally in the SNF Paideia fellows program or offer a Paideia-designated course within their academic expertise.


This role is ideal for someone with academic training who is passionate about the Paideia Program’s mission, enjoys student engagement, and excels at building and administering programs. The Director works collaboratively with a small staff team and reports directly to the SNF Paideia Executive Director.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities



+ Oversee programming that extends beyond and supports the SNF Paideia fellows programming, including managing a Student Advisory Board, maintaining and further developing a small graduate fellows program, and creating a new alumni program for SNF Paideia fellows.


+ Develop and implement new extra-curricular and co-curricular programming aligned with the SNF Paideia mission for Penn students, collaborating with other schools, departments, and administrative units (e.g., University Life, Athletics).


+ Create and support collaborative programming with campus partners such as College Houses and Academic Services, the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Civic House, and other university entities.


+ As assigned by the Executive Director or Fellows Director, teach in the SNF Paideia Fellows Program and/or a Paideia-designated course once per year within the Director’s academic area of expertise.


+ Support and contribute to other internal program processes as assigned by the Executive Director


+ Perform additional duties as assigned.





Qualifications



+ Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. MA in relevant discipline preferred. Experience creating, implementing, and managing student-focused programs preferred. Experience advising undergraduate students.





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 Interdisciplinary Programs





Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $88,000.00 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.