Executive Director, Alumni Programming

University of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Wellness programs

Flexible work options

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton External Affairs seeks an Executive Director of Alumni Programming & Events in Philadelphia to lead strategic alumni engagement and lifelong learning initiatives, and to shape programming that aligns with institutional priorities and fundraising goals.

The role requires strong leadership, collaboration with faculty and senior leaders, and a track record of delivering high-impact events for a sophisticated audience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and over 10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Wharton External Affairs alumni engagement programming, lifelong learning initiatives, and alumni/donor events.
• Lead a team responsible for alumni programming, lifelong learning, and event strategy and execution.
• Translate Wharton's research, thought leadership, and priorities into compelling programming for alumni and donors.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Strategic planning

Content strategy

Data analysis

Alumni relations

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Executive Director, Alumni Programming & Events, Wharton External Affairs

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.

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 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, donors 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

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 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