Business Operations Coordinator, Wharton Legal Studies

University of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Retirement plans

Flexible work hours

Time away from work

Wellness programs

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School is seeking a Business Operations Coordinator for the Legal Studies department in Philadelphia. The role provides administrative, financial, and operational support, coordinating programs, events, and academic activities while handling financial transactions and reporting.

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree and 2–3 years of experience, demonstrate strong organizational skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and the

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to handle financial and administrative transactions accurately and interpret policies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate departmental financial and business transactions, including travel reimbursements and vendor payments.
• Provide comprehensive administrative and operational support for meetings, seminars, conferences, and activities.
• Support course administration, instructional resources, and academic processes across programs.
• Develop and maintain financial and operational reports, databases, and records.
• Serve as a resource for faculty, students, visitors, and partners, improving processes and service delivery.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Business Operations Coordinator, Wharton Legal Studies

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer inPhiladelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research,and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranksamong the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & WorldReport survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provideopportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education,all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach toscholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been rankednationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbeswho named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city ofPhiladelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urbancampus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, andrecreational activities. With its historical significance andlandmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety ofatmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home forwork and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includesexcellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and theirfamilies, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety ofprofessional development opportunities, supportive work and familybenefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources,and much more.

Posted Job Title

Business Operations Coordinator, Wharton Legal Studies

Job Profile Title

Coordinator, Program

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 thefuture of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, andcreating leaders who change the world. With campuses in bothPhiladelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, afaculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careersthrough Wharton Executive Education's individual,company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Whartonalumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transformbusiness every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community ofstaff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, andperspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Business Operations Coordinator provides comprehensiveadministrative, financial, and operational support for Wharton'sLegal Studies department. The position coordinates a variety ofprograms, projects, events, and academic activities; processes andmonitors financial transactions; prepares reports and maintainsoperational records; and supports budget administration. The rolealso serves as a key resource for faculty, students, visitors, andother stakeholders, while supporting departmental processes andinitiatives that promote efficient and effective operations.

Job Responsibilities

• Coordinate departmental financial and business transactions,including travel reimbursements, purchase orders, vendor payments,journal entries, budget reallocations, and related financialactivities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with University andWharton policies.
• Provide comprehensive administrative and operational supportfor departmental meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, andacademic activities, including scheduling, travel arrangements,event logistics, communications, and maintenance of departmentalcalendars and records.
• Support academic programs, faculty, and students bycoordinating course administration, instructional resources,faculty onboarding, and academic processes across undergraduate,MBA, and doctoral programs.
• Develop and maintain financial and operational reports,databases, and records, including monthly account reporting, andassist with budget administration, forecasting, fiscal year-endactivities, and other financial reviews.
• Serve as a key departmental resource for faculty, students,visitors, academic advisors, and University partners, resolvingroutine issues, coordinating special projects, maintainingdepartmental web content, and identifying opportunities to improveadministrative processes and service delivery.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and 2 to 3 years of experience orequivalent combination of education and experience isrequired.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with theability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintainaccuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle financial and administrativetransactions accurately and to interpret and apply establishedpolicies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills,with a demonstrated commitment to providing responsive,professional, and customer-focused service to a variety ofconstituents.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel,and demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use financial,administrative, and academic information systems.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, resourcefulness, andproblem-solving skills, including the ability to work independentlyand collaboratively and identify opportunities to improveadministrative processes.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$24.21 - $34.12 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications,experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to therequirements of the position, and in alignment with salary rangesbased on external market data for the job's level. Internalorganization 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), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer ismade. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to therequirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Pennoffers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health,dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and yourfamily's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spendingaccounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent careexpenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuitionbenefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can gettuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are alsoeligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans tohelp you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, andSupplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on apre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investmentoptions through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with asubstantial amount of time away from work during the course of theyear. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personalaffairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time withfamily-whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with GenworthFinancial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible familymembers) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of thecosts of long-term care services received at home, in the communityor in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, youwon't have to provide proof of good health or be subject tounderwriting requirements. Eligible family members must alwaysprovide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed tosupporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competingdemands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a widevariety of programs and resources to help you care for your health,your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides anarray of resources to help you advance yourself personally andprofessionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community,you have access to a wide range of University resources as well ascultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of theUniversity's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit ourarboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on atPenn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latestmusic or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the PennRelays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a memberof the Penn community, you're right in the middle of theexcitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of theseactivities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts andentertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find greatdeals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts andcultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admissionand memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoysubstantial savings on other goods and services such as new carsfrom Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movietickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offercreative approaches for completing work while promoting balancebetween work and personal commitments. These approaches involve useof non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or jobstructures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivableloan for eligible employees interested in buying a home orcurrently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used forclosing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligibleemployees on qualified expenses in connection with the legaladoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for upto two adoptions in your household.

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

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), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state, or local law.