Partnerships Manager, Academy at Penn

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

Partnerships Manager, Academy at Penn

Job Profile Title

Coordinator B

Job Description Summary

The Academy at Penn is a college and career readiness program for students from Horace Furness High School and High School of the Future, both comprehensive high schools in the School District of Philadelphia. Through this program, students receive year-round, cohort-based academic, social/emotional, and community support that holds in the highest regard each participant's unique path to, through, and beyond high school. The Academy is a 5-year partnership between the School District of Philadelphia, Foundations, Inc., and the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.

The Academy at Penn Partnerships Manager will develop, cultivate, and coordinate partnerships that expand opportunities for Academy students to explore college and career pathways and engage in meaningful experiential learning. The Partnerships Manager will build relationships with partners across Penn and the broader professional community, identifying opportunities for internships, mentorship, job shadowing, career exploration, campus-based experiences, and other forms of experiential learning. This position requires a relationship-oriented and proactive professional who is comfortable initiating new connections, developing relationships over time, and taking ownership of a portfolio of partnerships and experiences.

The Partnerships Manager will work collaboratively with Academy staff and external partners to ensure opportunities are well designed, responsive to students’ interests and needs, and aligned with the Academy’s broader goals. The Partnerships Manager will report to the Director of Programming & Instruction and work closely with the Assistant Director of Operations and other members of the Academy team.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• •Partnership Development & Relationship Management : Identify and pursue prospective partnerships with Penn departments and external programs, employers, professional organizations, community organizations, and other partners that can expand opportunities available to Academy students; Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing partners, serving as a primary Academy point of contact and developing relationships that can be sustained and expanded over time; Proactively engage partners in identifying opportunities for collaboration that align with Academy students’ interests, needs, and college and career goals; Maintain regular communication with partners before, during, and following programming to support strong relationships and successful experiences; Collaborate with partners to gather and provide feedback, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen the quality and relevance of programming over time; Maintain organized records of partnerships, contacts, opportunities, student participation, and follow-up to support continuity and long-term relationship management.
• •Experiential & Career-Connected Learning : Develop and coordinate experiential learning opportunities, including internships, job shadowing, workplace visits, mentorship, career exploration, and other professional learning experiences; Work with Academy staff to identify opportunities that reflect students’ interests and developmental needs and complement the Academy’s broader college and career readiness programming; Coordinate with external partners to develop experiences that are meaningful, engaging, age-appropriate, and well structured for student participants; Support students and partners in preparing for experiential learning opportunities and facilitate communication and follow-up needed for successful participation; Monitor the implementation of partnership-based experiences and work collaboratively with students, staff, and partners to address challenges and strengthen future programming.
• •Program Collaboration & Continuous Improvement : Collaborate closely with the Director of Programming & Instruction, Assistant Director of Operations, and other Academy staff to ensure partnership opportunities are integrated into the broader student experience; Gather feedback from students, partners, and Academy staff to assess the quality and effectiveness of partnership experiences and identify opportunities for improvement; Contribute to planning and reflection around the Academy’s experiential learning and partnership efforts, including identifying gaps and emerging opportunities; Support collection and organization of participation and partnership data to help the Academy understand the reach and effectiveness of its experiential learning opportunities; Participate as an active member of the Academy team and contribute to other program activities and priorities as appropriate.
• •Cohort Leadership: Oversee implementation of all program components for an assigned student cohort for Saturday and summer programming; Supervise and support program staff, including instructors, program leaders, and site liaisons; Ensure a high-quality, consistent experience for all students across program activities; Monitor student engagement, attendance, and overall progress; Troubleshoot programmatic, staffing, and student-related challenges in real time; Serve as the primary point of contact for cohort-related issues during program operation; Facilitate regular team check-ins and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to staff; Collaborate with program leadership to ensure alignment with program goals and expectations; Maintain accurate records and documentation related to cohort operations; Uphold a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for students and staff.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required and 2-3 years of experience is required. 3+ years of experience in education, youth development, or a related field is preferred.

Experience working with high school-aged youth in academic or out-of-school-time settings

Professional experience in partnership development, program coordination, education, youth development, career readiness, community engagement, higher education, or a related field.

Demonstrated ability to build positive professional relationships and communicate effectively with individuals across a range of organizations, roles, and professional settings.

Strong interpersonal skills and confidence initiating relationships with new partners and cultivating those relationships over time.

Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple partnerships, acti