Executive Director, Alumni Programming & Events, Wharton External Affairs

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

Executive Director, Alumni Programming & Events, Wharton External Affairs

Job Profile Title

Director D, Development, Alumni Relations

Job Description Summary

• Wharton School Overview
• 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 both 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 from around the world 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 dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

The Executive Director of Alumni Programming & Events provides strategic leadership and oversight for Wharton External Affairs' alumni engagement programming, including lifelong learning initiatives and the full portfolio of alumni and donor events. Leading a team responsible for alumni programming, lifelong learning, and event strategy and execution, the Executive Director establishes a shared vision, develops talent, and fosters a collaborative, high-performing culture that advances Wharton's engagement goals. Responsible for the short- and long-term development and implementation of Wharton's alumni learning and programming strategy, the Executive Director ensures content is relevant, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities. Working closely with faculty and school leadership, the Executive Director translates Wharton's research, thought leadership, and strategic priorities into compelling programming that resonates with alumni and donors and advances lifelong engagement.

Setting the vision for alumni-facing content across regional events, reunions, and global programs, the Executive Director identifies opportunities to connect faculty expertise, institutional priorities, and alumni interests to create meaningful, high-impact engagement experiences. In partnership with stakeholders across Alumni Relations, Development, Principal Gifts & Board Relations, Executive Education, academic departments, the Dean's Office, and faculty leadership, the Executive Director develops, shapes, and delivers programming that reflects Wharton's academic excellence while supporting the school's engagement and fundraising priorities.

As a member of the External Affairs leadership team reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Executive Director collaborates with senior leaders across External Affairs and works closely with the Executive Director of Institutional and Strategic Events to ensure alignment across alumni, donor, and institutional engagement. The Executive Director also oversees the integration of content and events strategy, manages resources and budgets, and leads the team responsible for execution, ensuring programs advance engagement and fundraising goals while connecting Wharton's research, thought leadership, and strategic priorities with meaningful alumni and donor experiences.

As the senior leader accountable for the overall strategy, performance, and results of External Affairs’ alumni programming, lifelong learning, and events portfolio, the Executive Director advises the Chief Advancement Officer and External Affairs leadership on alumni engagement, lifelong learning, and event strategy. The role brings constituent insights, program performance, emerging trends, and leading practices to inform broader advancement strategy and priorities, and translates those insights into recommendations and new approaches developed in partnership with the External Affairs senior leadership team. The portfolio serves Wharton’s global alumni community through an integrated engagement strategy spanning in-person and virtual channels.

Required Qualifications

• •Bachelor's degree and over 10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.
• •Leadership experience in alumni relations, advancement, executive education, higher education administration, events, content strategy, communications, or a related field.
• •Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic engagement initiatives, large-scale events, or educational programming for sophisticated audiences.
• •Proven ability to collaborate effectively with senior leaders, faculty, volunteers, and cross-functional stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• •Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority across complex organizations.
• •Experience developing content strategies and translating complex ideas into compelling educational or engagement experiences.
• •Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, budgets, and multiple concurrent initiatives while balancing competing priorities.
• •Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, including the ability to use data and audience insights to inform programming decisions.
• •Understanding of advancement, alumni relations, and fundraising strategies, including the role of engagement programming in strengthening constituent relationships and philanthropic outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• •Experience working in higher education, academic medicine, or another complex, mission-driven organization.
• •Experience partnering directly with faculty, researchers, or academic leadership to develop educational programming or thought leadership initiatives.
• •Demonstrated understanding of how alumni engagement, donor stewardship, lifelong learning, and fundraising strategies intersect.
• •Experience creating executive-level content and experiences that align institutional priorities with audience interests.
• •Familiarity with advancement, alumni relations, or constituent engagement within a research university.
• •Experience overseeing global or geographically distributed engagement programs.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$135,327.00 - $170,000.00 Annual Rate Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly r