Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School is seeking a Director of Open Enrollment Programs within Wharton Executive Education to lead a high-profile portfolio of Open Enrollment programs serving senior executives. You will collaborate with Wharton faculty, institutional leadership, and internal partners to design, deliver, and continuously enhance programs that meet evolving market needs.

The Director owns enrollment patterns, pricing, profitability, partnerships with universities, and the

Responsibilities

• Strategic Program and Portfolio Leadership: Provide strategic leadership, full ownership, and decision making of a significant, complex portfolio of high-profile Open Enrollment programs serving senior executive audiences. Partner with Wharton faculty and institutional leadership to maintain relevant content, integrate Wharton’s latest thinking, and deliver an exceptional participant experience.
• New Program Development and Strategic Portfolio Evolution: Lead the evaluation and development of new Open Enrollment programs from initial opportunity through approval and launch. Partner with Wharton faculty and senior leadership to assess market demand, strategic alignment, content, delivery approach, pricing, and projected profitability.
• University Partnership Development and Management: In partnership with senior leadership, identify and execute strategies to expand WEE’s university partnership portfolio. Cultivate prospective and existing institutional relationships, identify new business opportunities, and lead the response to new partnership requests from initial assessment through program development and execution.
• Independently responsible for assuring targeted contributions to the profitability of the department through active P&L management, accurate pricing, and management of expenses.
• Collaborate with colleagues from Business Development, Client Relations and Marketing to support group enrollments, advanced certificate programs and revenue growth initiative.
• Mentorship & Team Lead: Provide mentorship, guidance, and subject-matter expertise to Directors and other team members, particularly those developing their knowledge of Open Enrollment and university partnership programming.

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

Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

Job Profile Title

Director D, Student Services, Executive Education

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.

The Director of Open Enrollment Programs provides strategic leadership and full ownership of a significant and complex portfolio of existing and new executive education programs serving senior leaders across industries. In collaboration with Wharton faculty, institutional leadership, and internal stakeholders, the Director designs, delivers, and continuously enhances programs that address evolving market needs. The role operates with substantial independence and is accountable for program quality, relevance, participant satisfaction, growth, and financial success.

The Director evaluates enrollment patterns, participant feedback, competitive activity, emerging business trends, and financial performance to guide portfolio decisions and identify opportunities for new program development. In partnership with Wharton faculty, the Director ensures program content remains relevant and reflects Wharton’s latest thinking while assessing market demand, strategic alignment, delivery approach, pricing, profitability, and resource requirements. From initial opportunity through approval and launch, the Director exercises significant independent judgment in determining whether programs should be enhanced, repositioned, expanded, redesigned, advanced, or declined. The Director navigates approval processes and communicates decisions and supporting rationale to key stakeholders.

As the primary steward of assigned programs, the Director partners with marketing, client relations, operations, and business development to deliver a seamless, high-quality participant experience. The Director cultivates strong faculty relationships, aligns stakeholders around program objectives, manages expectations, and ensures effective execution across in-person, online, live virtual, and blended learning environments. The Director also champions innovative learning approaches, educational technologies, and evidence-based instructional practices that reflect Wharton’s thought leadership and commitment to world-class executive education.

WEE comprises three business units: Custom, Open Enrollment, and Online. This position is part of the Open Enrollment business unit, with collaboration essential both within the Open Enrollment team and across WEE. The Director partners with Business Development and Revenue Management in support of group enrollments, ACP recruitment, and new business opportunities and collaborates with the Custom and Online teams to leverage capabilities across the division.

The Director’s portfolio also includes new partnership programs requests with other universities, structured as customized offerings with the partner institution serving as the client. In collaboration with the Senior Director, the Director develops and executes strategies to expand WEE’s university partnership portfolio. The Director assesses client needs and ensures that each curriculum delivers against the institution’s objectives. The Director also manages client satisfaction and retention, with the goal of developing and maintaining high-value, multiyear relationships.

The Director owns program financial performance, including revenue, expenses, pricing strategy, profitability, and partnership contracting. Each program is supported by one or more program managers responsible for logistics and delivery. The Director provides matrix leadership to these Delivery Teams, establishing priorities and ensuring clear communication, effective project planning, and high-quality execution of the learning experience.

As an experienced member of the team, the Director mentors and guides colleagues by providing subject-matter expertise, advising on complex program decisions, and helping identify and engage key faculty and institutional stakeholders. This leadership is exercised through influence and expertise rather than direct supervisory responsibility.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Program and Portfolio Leadership: Provide strategic leadership, full ownership, and decision making of a significant, complex portfolio of high-profile Open Enrollment programs serving senior executive audiences. Partner with Wharton faculty and institutional leadership to maintain relevant content, integrate Wharton’s latest thinking, and deliver an exceptional participant experience. Evaluate enrollment, market trends, competitive positioning, participant feedback, and financial performance to guide program enhancements, pricing strategy, investment, and portfolio evolution. Direct program planning, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement, with accountability for quality, relevance, participant satisfaction, and financial success. Manage stakeholder expectations and exercise significant judgment in resolving complex issues while balancing faculty and participant needs, institutional priorities, operational constraints, and responsible stewardship of Wharton’s resources.
• New Program Development and Strategic Portfolio Evolution: Lead the evaluation and development of new Open Enrollment programs from initial opportunity through approval and launch. Partner with Wharton faculty and senior leadership to assess market demand, strategic alignment, competitive positioning, content, delivery approach, pricing, and projected profitability. Exercise independent judgment in advancing, reshaping, or declining opportunities and navigate complex stakeholder expectations and approval processes. Communicate recommendations, decisions, and supporting rationale to key stakeholders, recognizing the long-term financial, operational, and reputational impact on the business. Integrate insights and capabilities across Open Enrollment, Custom, Online, and Live offerings to strengthen portfolio differentiation and advance the division’s strategic priorities.
• University Partnership Development and Management: In partnership with senior leadership, identify and execute strategies to expand WEE’s university partnership portfolio. Cultivate prospective and existing institutional relationships, identify new business opportunities, and lead the response to new partnership requests from initial assessment through program development and execution. Collaborate with university stakeholders, Wharton faculty, and internal partners to translate each institution’s specific objectives into customized programming. Evaluate strategic fit, feasibility, pricing, and financial viability; manage stakeholder expectations and approval processes; and communicate recommendations and decisions to ensure partnerships advance WEE’s strategic and financial objectives.
• Independently responsible for assuring targeted contributions to the profitability of the department through active P&L management, accurate pricing, and management of expenses.
• Collaborate with colleagues from Business Development, Client Relations and Marketing to support group enrollments, advanced certificate programs and revenue growth initiative. Work closely with colleagues across the division to leverage best practices and identify opportunities for collaboration. Contribute to strategic initiatives that strengthen WEE's overall portfolio and participant experience.
• Mentorship & Team Lead: Provide mentorship, guidance, and subject-matter expertise to Directors and other team members, particularly those developing their knowledge of Open Enrollment and university partnership programming. Advise colleagues throughout program development and execution, helping them navigate complex decisions, identify and engage key faculty and institutional stakeholders, and manage stakeholder expectations. Support the development of new content, programs, and university partnerships while promoting sound judgment, effective practices, and knowledge-sharing across the team.
• Manage the effort of