Associate Director, Faculty Affairs

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 67,155 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition assistance for employees and a

Retirement plans

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania is seeking an Associate Director, Faculty Affairs to serve as a trusted advisor and operational leader within the Social Sciences division of the School of Arts and Sciences. You will oversee faculty appointments, promotions, leaves, searches, and compensation tracking, ensuring policies are consistently applied across the University and School.

You will drive process improvements, manage the dossier review and records in Workday, and collaborate with deans, chairs,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in higher education administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of faculty appointment, reappointment, and promotion processes.
• Familiarity with and/or ability to learn Workday, the University’s system of record for academic appointments.
• Experience interpreting and applying complex institutional policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to produce clear and accurate reports from databases and other systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policies into clear guidance for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, deans, and administrative staff.
• Commitment to collaboration, problem-solving, ability to work effectively in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

• The primary expert resource for department chairs, program and center directors, staff, and faculty on administration of faculty appointments, reappointments, promotions, and leaves across the Social Sciences division.
• Manage the full dossier review process for tenure and promotion cases and oversee related appointments.
• Advise on faculty search and waiver processes and administer letters in connection with offers, retention, and retirement.
• Develop and communicate policy guidance, and maintain web resources for faculty and administrators.
• Lead Academic Unit functions in Workday, drive process improvements, and ensure protocol compliance.

Skills

Faculty governance knowledge

Policy interpretation

Analytical reporting

Written and verbal communication

Project management

Discretion and diplomacy

Interpersonal collaboration

Faculty affairs expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years experience in higher education administration

Tools

Workday

Job description

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

Associate Director, Faculty Affairs

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director, Faculty Affairs serves as a trusted advisor and operational leader within the Social Sciences division of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). Reporting to the Executive Director and working in close collaboration with the Faculty Affairs team, this role is the primary resource for the Associate Dean, faculty in administrative roles, and department, program, and center staff on all matters related to faculty appointments, promotions, leaves, searches, and tracking of compensation. The Associate Director ensures that University and School policies are applied consistently and thoughtfully, supports the administration of faculty appointments at every stage of their career trajectory, and drives continuous improvement across Faculty Affairs processes and systems.

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.

Responsibilities

The Associate Director is the primary expert resource for department chairs, program and center directors, staff, and faculty on all matters related to the administration of faculty appointments, reappointments, promotions, and leaves across the Social Sciences division. This includes managing the full dossier review process for tenure and promotion cases, overseeing Associated Faculty, Academic Support Staff, and postdoctoral appointments, advising on faculty search and waiver processes, and administering offer, retention, and retirement letters in compliance with School and University policies. The Associate Director also serves as a knowledgeable resource on faculty benefits, FMLA, and related policies.

Operationally, the Associate Director leads Academic Unit functions in Workday, drives process improvements, ensures protocol compliance, and coordinates aspects of the annual faculty salary increase process. They maintain the faculty database as the School's official record and produce standard and ad hoc reports for the deans and University offices.

Throughout all of this work, the Associate Director develops and communicates policy guidance, recommends updates to procedures and documentation as School and University practices evolve, and maintains a range of web resources for faculty and administrators. This is a role for someone who takes ownership, builds trust with faculty and administrators alike, and brings both rigor and care to complex, high-stakes processes.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of relevant/related experience in higher education administration or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of faculty appointment, reappointment, and promotion processes.
• Familiarity with and/or ability to learn to administer aspects of Workday, the University’s system of record for academic appointments.
• Experience interpreting and applying complex institutional policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to produce clear and accurate reports from databases and other systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policies into clear guidance for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, deans, and administrative staff.
• Commitment to collaboration, problem-solving, ability to work effectively in a complex environment.

Preferred

• Experience administering faculty leaves.
• Knowledge of faculty benefits administration, including retirement and tuition programs.
• Experience administering faculty recruitment processes.
• Proficiency with faculty database management and reporting.
• Experience managing web content and developing online resources.
• Familiarity with human resources in general.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$67,155.00 - $90,000.00 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, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be 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.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay