Assistant Director, Education Entrepreneurship Program, Penn GSE

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

Assistant Director, Education Entrepreneurship Program, Penn GSE

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Student Services, Graduate Programs

Job Description Summary

The Penn Graduate School of Education is committed to cultivating a workplace that values equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. We seek talented individuals who will help lead our efforts to create a more inclusive workplace in a community with a substantive institutional commitment to equity and justice. Diversity is prized at Penn as a central component of our mission and helps create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.
The Education Entrepreneurship Master’s Program at Penn GSE is the world's first master’s degree program in Education Entrepreneurship. The program equips students with the expertise, tools, and experiences necessary to chart new solutions in education. Through an accelerated program format, delivered through a blend of on-campus and online weekends and summer intensives, the EdEnt program helps students working full-time earn their master’s degree in just 12 months. This unique program experience is designed to help students create, test, and build innovative solutions to critical problems in a rapidly changing global landscape.
The Assistant Director will manage and oversee all logistical aspects of EdEnt’s multi-modal, high-flex program weekends, including in-person, hybrid, and remote delivery. The Assistant Director will consult with faculty on instructional design and provide assessment of course material, as well as serve as the primary advisor for approximately 50 students, including a significant international community. The Assistant Director will engage at a high level with program alumni and will oversee the admissions & marketing strategy of the program.
The successful candidate for this position will have an interest in working with a team that facilitates an innovative, dynamic, and entrepreneurial community that spans the globe.
The Assistant Director will report to the Associate Director of Education Entrepreneurship. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Program Management & Operations: Manage and oversee all operations in the Education Entrepreneurship Master’s program; Serve as the primary contact for students and faculty in the program; Provide a wide range of financial and technical advising, as well as other support services to students; Coordinate the planning and direction of the program, including weekend sessions and summer intensives, with the Associate Director and Director; Facilitate five concurrent Capstone sections throughout the year; Manage and train Graduate Assistants and student workers, and delegate administrative tasks as needed.

• Data & Technology: Responsible for technological aspects and sophistication of the program to support high-flex learning models, which include in-person, blended, and virtual delivery across a diverse cohort; Collect multiple forms of data to evaluate the program, and work with the Associate Director to apply results to the application and delivery of the program; Conduct research & development on technology that could benefit the program and the department.

• Instructional Design: Collaborate with instructors to review program goals and proposed class design; Review progression of classes; Meet regularly to discuss the design of the program and work to evaluate the curriculum; Address gaps in the curriculum; Consult with faculty on teaching practices and academic delivery that meets the values of the School and program.

• Admissions & Marketing: Serve as first point-of-contact for the cohort and prospective students; Serve as the spokesperson for the program, present at conferences, visit schools and colleges, and generate marketing for the program, in collaboration with Admissions.

• Alumni: Engage alumni to build global networks and professional development opportunities for the program, in collaboration with Development & Alumni Relations.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL:

• A Bachelor’s degree and 4 - 5 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• A proven background in project management, student engagement and support, and instructional design.

• A proven background as a high-level contributor, collaborator, and self-starter.

• A history of working collaboratively with diverse people.

• Must have experience communicating consistently and effectively through written and face-to-face means.

• Must have strong organizational and presentation skills.

• Must be comfortable working independently on projects.

• An openness and curiosity to learn new technology platforms.

PREFERRED:

• A Master’s degree in education, business, non-profit, or public administration.

• A background in supporting adult learners and facilitating communications with diverse academic and industry leaders.

• A background in admissions services, innovative problem solving, and data collection.

• Experience working with digital media and a variety of tech platforms.

*All applicants must submit a cover letter.

Penn GSE actively seeks and welcomes people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities, to apply.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Graduate School of Education

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $75,000.00 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