Vice Dean and Chief of Staff, School of Arts and Sciences

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

Vice Dean and Chief of Staff, School of Arts and Sciences

Job Profile Title

Director D, Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs

Job Description Summary

The Vice Dean and Chief of Staff serves as a senior advisor to the Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) and is a key member of the Dean’s senior leadership team. The Vice Dean is an important strategic partner in the planning and execution of high-level projects, priorities, and initiatives of the school to support the Dean's commitment to advance the research and teaching missions of SAS.

Job Description

The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) is the academic foundation of the University of Pennsylvania, providing liberal arts education for all Penn undergraduates and supporting graduate studies and research across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The Dean of SAS provides broad leadership for the School’s academic departments, education programs, research centers, and operations, working closely with ten associate/vice deans to oversee an organization with nearly 2,000 faculty and staff and 10,000 students.  

Job Description:

The Vice Dean and Chief of Staff supports the Dean's commitment to advance the research and teaching missions of the School of Arts and Sciences. As a senior advisor to the Dean and a vital member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Vice Dean and Chief of Staff is a strategic partner in the planning and execution of high-level projects, priorities, and initiatives. This position is responsible for implementing high-level organizational and administrative projects requiring a seasoned administrative and consultative skill set. An ideal candidate is comfortable working in a dynamic working environment and can pivot quickly with competing priorities using diplomatic judgment and resourcefulness. The Vice Dean and Chief of Staff will have a keen understanding of or the ability to comprehensively learn the administrative and academic programs within the complex organizational structure of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior advisor to the Dean and key member of the Dean’s leadership team to support the Dean's commitment to advance the research and teaching missions of SAS

• Maintains an evolving overview of long and short-term School-wide goals, initiatives, events and deliverables

• Coordinates strategic planning, benchmarking and progress reporting of goals

• Builds relationships with and serves as a liaison for the Dean and the Dean’s office to offices and committees within the School, central University offices, and with individual stakeholders across Penn on a variety of daily functions and special projects

• Oversees the advanced work for the Dean's meetings and events by providing background research and ensures timely responsiveness of the Dean’s leadership team to proactively engage in long-term planning

• Anticipates problems and informs the Dean of developing concerns, suggesting approaches towards resolution, while responding to and/or coordinating the response of the Dean and others to these time-sensitive requests and urgent matters

• Prepares and/or reviews the talking points, speeches and presentations for the Dean’s Office, collecting and organizing information and documentation of the collaborative work of the School’s eleven-member senior leader team

• Stays informed of current world news, educational news, university-wide news and events that may impact the school

• Stays informed of university and educational policies and policy changes and is apprised of the use of new and existing university tools and systems

• Oversees the daily operations of the Office of the Dean, balancing daily issues against the broader portfolio of project work

• Has oversight and overall responsibility for the Division of Faculty Affairs team

• Writes memos, reports, and other materials on behalf of the Dean

• Works closely with the School’s advancement and communications staff

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant administrative management experience within a research university

• Familiarity with academic governance and faculty personnel processes

• Highly collaborative with proven record of establishing strong and effective relationships within a complex organization

• The ability to manage multiple, diverse projects simultaneously, work with diverse constituencies across the School and University, handle sensitive situations and information with utmost discretion, and understand and solve complex problems. Mature judgment and flexibility are necessary

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and verbal and written communication skills

• Management and supervisory experience reflecting a commitment to administrative efficiency, innovation and process improvement, and nurturing an atmosphere of teamwork, collegiality, and inclusiveness

• Proven commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards and to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and goals

• An understanding of and respect for the research and teaching missions of the School, the principles of faculty governance within a university, and the values of the arts and sciences

*For consideration, please submit a cover letter as well as a resume in the CV section of your application. You can upload multiple documents to the "Resume/CV" section. Applicants who are invited for an interview will be asked to submit three writing samples.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

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