Director of Operations - Office of Academic Services - Penn Engineering

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 Operations - Office of Academic Services - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Director A, Student Services

Job Description Summary

Penn Engineering’s world-acclaimed faculty, state-of-the-art research laboratories and highly interdisciplinary curricula offer an experience that is unparalleled. Innovation and technology drive every program and transform the fundamentals of what future engineers are learning. http://www.engineering.upenn.edu/

We are seeking a forward-thinking, adaptable higher education professional to join a dynamic leadership team overseeing Penn Engineering’s central hub for academic services.

Reporting to the Managing Director of the Office of Academic Services (OAS), the Director of Operations is an agile, outcomes-driven leader who advances operational excellence and service innovation in support of Penn Engineering’s undergraduate and graduate student communities. The Director plays a pivotal role as a project manager, team developer, and technology strategist, ensuring that academic operations align with institutional goals and deliver a world-class student experience.

In this systems-oriented leadership role, the Director partners with key stakeholders across Penn Engineering and the University to lead cross-functional initiatives, optimize service delivery, and implement best practices in data governance, knowledge management, and student success infrastructure. The Director will manage and develop a high-performing Operations team, guiding them — and the broader OAS staff — to leverage technologies that streamline academic processes, support data-informed decision-making, and advance operational excellence and a strong student-centered culture. The Director will also provide high-level oversight of signature OAS-led events, including commencement, family weekend, and award ceremonies, bringing strategic planning and execution to high-impact institutional experiences.

In addition, the Director will support selected school-level academic partnerships by coordinating operational aspects of partnership development and management, overseeing agreement workflows, and helping ensure smooth execution of related visits, communications, and cross-functional processes.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Project Management

Lead strategic, cross-functional initiatives that enhance academic services, improve student engagement, and increase operational efficiency.

Partner with internal Engineering stakeholders — including Academic Innovation, Financial Services, Computing and Educational Technology Services, Operations Services, Marketing and Communications, and Planning & Design — to refine workflows, metrics, and systems aligned with OAS objectives.

Collaborate with the Managing Director and other OAS leaders to continuously evaluate and improve service delivery across all functional teams.

Oversee the planning and execution of major academic events, including commencement, family weekend, and award ceremonies. Implement consistent mechanisms for event evaluation and improvement.

Provide leadership and support for strategic partnership development across OAS functions.

Academic Systems and Infrastructure

Champion data privacy, digital security, and knowledge management best practices across OAS.

In collaboration with the Director of Student Success & Advising, lead the development and implementation of a technology roadmap to streamline academic operations. Evaluate and recommend platforms, including CRMs, ticketing systems, and project management tools.

Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation in the adoption of new systems and tools across OAS and its partners.

Collaborate with the Student Success and Engagement teams to embed regular data reporting and analysis into decision-making processes.

Own and continuously improve end-to-end degree program and initiative management, ensuring timely coordination, stakeholder accountability, adherence to Registrar and school requirements, and oversight of approval workflows.

Monitor accreditation timelines and manage cyclical tasks, including alumni surveys and website/catalog language updates for compliance.

Team Leadership and Development

Manage and coach a strong Operations team, including staff responsible for student records and administrative coordination.

Support the professional growth and performance development of Operations staff, and collaborate with OAS leadership to ensure equitable access to advancement opportunities for all OAS team members.

Coordinate the cadence of staff meetings and lead the planning of team retreats.

Provide oversight of OAS hiring, onboarding, and offboarding logistics.

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Partnership Development and Management

Support the development, coordination, and ongoing management of selected academic partnerships that advance Penn Engineering’s strategic priorities.

Manage operational workflows related to domestic and international partnership agreements, including memoranda of agreement, in close coordination with Penn Global and other school and University partners.

Oversee the tracking, maintenance, and execution support for partnership documentation, using established University templates and processes.

Coordinate logistics and school-level planning for visits from international guests, delegations, and external academic partners, with support from administrative staff as appropriate.

Partner with the Managing Director, Senior Associate Dean, and relevant OAS leaders to connect Penn Engineering programs with partnership opportunities when operational coordination or follow-through is needed.

Represent OAS in relevant University groups or cross-functional discussions related to partnership operations, student mobility, or global engagement, as appropriate.

Office and Financial Oversight

Provide thoughtful oversight of office infrastructure, including space use and technology adoption.

Provide careful oversight of microteam budget planning, procurement, and financial compliance in coordination with the OAS leadership team and Penn Engineering Financial Services.

Ensure accurate and timely reporting, approval tracking, and alignment with vendor contracts in support of OAS operations.

Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects

As a senior member of the OAS leadership team, collaborate with the Managing Director and other leaders on strategic planning, program development, and institutional effectiveness.

Represent OAS Operations in high-level School and