Senior Director of Learning Innovation and Collaboration, Wharton Computing and Instructional Technology - 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

Senior Director of Learning Innovation and Collaboration, Wharton Computing and Instructional Technology





Job Profile Title

Information Technology Director Senior





Job Description Summary

Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year, 13,000 professionals worldwide advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a diverse staff population representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.


The Learning Lab is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of custom learning tools and simulations at the Wharton School. The Learning Lab maintains a portfolio of 30+ simulations that were built in partnership with Wharton faculty and using a wide range of vendors and developer resources, the Learning Lab builds tools that enhance learning outcomes within all of our degree granting programs. Additionally, the Learning Lab partners with faculty to assist in the delivery of 3rd party tools within our classrooms. Lastly, the Learning Lab works with partners both within the school and externally to market and distribute Learning Lab-developed tools to faculty around the world.





Job Description


The Senior Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations as well as the strategic direction of the Alfred West Jr. Learning Lab. This person is responsible for managing multiple direct reports, as well as partnering with senior leadership to develop the strategic vision of the Learning Lab and how that vision fits with the Dean's mission. This role cultivates partnerships with faculty in the design, development, and delivery of new simulations as well as the maintenance of current simulations within the Learning Lab portfolio. This role involves the extensive management of numerous vendors as well as management of a varied technical stack involving Python/Django, Kubernetes, Docker, Forio Simulate/Epicenter, as well as other platforms and development languages. Lastly, this role is responsible for the commercialization of Learning Lab-developed tools through numerous channels both within the School and externally. * Organize and manage the Learning Lab's development workflow for all development projects. * Manage a portfolio of vendors who partner with the Learning Lab to develop new simulations and learning tools as well as manage multiple AWS environments that host these tools. * Partner with senior leadership in the design, development, and course delivery of critical simulations central to the Wharton academic experience. * Work with faculty to identify new opportunities and partner with them to develop new learning tools to enhance learning outcomes* Manage an Operations team responsible for 10,000+ yearly student plays of Learning Lab supported simulations* Work with Executive Education, the Global Youth Program, and Wharton Academy to develop and support simulations that generate value for these programs as well as as provide critical content that is central to their success. * Manage remote support teams that provide off-hours and administrative support for the Learning Lab's Operations team.* Manage a large budget. Work closely with Wharton's Finance and Administration to ensure the Lab's goals are being resourced accordingly and that the money being spent is making the largest impact possible. * Explore commercialization opportunities for Learning Lab developed tools. Partner with channels within the School as well as external marketplace partners to prepare and sell these tools to other faculty outside of of Wharton.




Qualifications:



+ Bachelor’s Degree


+ 7 to 10 years related Work experience including:


+ 5+ years experience developing interactive computer based training activities demonstrated


+ experience with the python programming language and at least two active open source project contributions


+ 5+ years, experienced managing people and managing budgets







Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

Wharton School





Pay Range

$110,850.00 - $172,000.00 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.