Head of WEMBA Career Management, Wharton

The University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 74,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania seeks a dynamic Head of WEMBA Career Management to lead career support for its Executive MBA program. This individual will enhance career resources, develop alumni relationships, and coordinate with various teams to ensure effective program delivery. The role demands strategic vision and exceptional communication skills in a complex organizational structure.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical benefits

Tuition assistance for employees and dependents

Generous retirement plans

Flexible work hours

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in higher education organizations.
• Experience managing teams and providing feedback.
• Strong relationships with executive level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects for Wharton Executive MBA Career Management.
• Provide career support for WEMBA cohorts across the globe.
• Develop strategic relationships with MBA Admissions and key programs.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

M.B.A. or other graduate degree

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

Head of WEMBA Career Management, Wharton

Job Profile Title

Associate Director E, Student Services, Graduate Programs

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.

Reporting to the Director of Executive Careers this role will work with the Director to set strategy and oversee all aspects for Wharton Executive MBA (WEMBA) Career Management.

Wharton believes in lifelong career management for MBA Executives. This individual will provide career support for the WEMBA east coast, west coast and global cohorts, in a complex organizational structure. The role leverages a data informed approach to design and deliver cutting edge online resources, best in class executive coaching, and forward-thinking programs to support career advancement, career change and students who wish to start a company. This individual will curate and leverage WEMBA alumni relationships to help executives further their career aspirations and build a strong career network.

The Head of WEMBA Career Management will oversee the WEMBA Senior Associate Director, WEMBA Career Coordinator, and any temp part-time WEMBA staff as appropriate. This individual will offer professional development and regular performance feedback to direct reports.

This role will function with a high level of coordination and communication with the WEMBA Program Staff, including class managers and events teams to ensure smooth career program delivery. This role will also coordinate with several MBA Career Management Teams (Alumni Team, Programs and Communications, Employer Engagement, Data Science) to elevate offerings and leverage resources across the office.

Finally, this individual will develop strong strategic relationships with MBA Admissions, Wharton External Affairs, and with key research centers/programs such as McNulty, Venture Labs, and WEMBA faculty.

The position is located on the Wharton Campus in Philadelphia but requires frequent travel to San Francisco.

Job Description

The Wharton MBA Career Management office supports the career development of our 1700+ full-time MBA students, 500+ Executive MBA students and the 100K+ Wharton alumni. The office consists of ~30 staff working across seven teams: Student Advising, Employer Engagement, Executive Career Management (serving alumni and WEMBA), Marketing and Communications, Data Science and Operations. The key metrics of the office are measured by student placement, student satisfaction and alumni satisfaction. The leadership philosophy of the office can be described in three guiding principles: People (i.e., a human-centered caring approach to best support our students, alumni, employers and colleagues; the MBACM office is informed by the practices of positive psychology), Platforms (i.e., supporting our stakeholders at scale, on demand and in a personalized way requires the use of digital platforms in an well-designed ecosystem), and Data (i.e., using data to build models to understand student, alumni and employer success so that we can expand and democratize that success across all stakeholders). Our office’s vision statement is: Standing on Wharton’s legacy as the world’s first business school, MBA Career Management's approach is life-long, service-oriented and adaptive to our diverse and dynamic population. We provide deep career management expertise through a blend of human-centric and analytics-driven methods. Our team prepares Wharton MBA students and alumni to lead impactful, fulfilling careers that strengthen their organizations, communities, and the world.

Job Responsibilities:

• Reporting to the Director of Executive Careers this role will work with the Director to set strategy and oversee all aspects for Wharton Executive MBA (WEMBA) Career Management.
• Wharton believes in lifelong career management for MBA Executives. This individual will provide career support for the WEMBA east coast, west coast and global cohorts, in a complex organizational structure. The role leverages a data informed approach to design and deliver cutting edge online resources, best in class executive coaching, and forward-thinking programs to support career advancement, career change and students who wish to start a company. This individual will curate and leverage WEMBA alumni relationships to help executives further their career aspirations and build a strong career network.
• The Head of WEMBA Career Management will oversee the WEMBA Senior Associate Director, WEMBA Career Coordinator, and any temp part-time WEMBA staff as appropriate. This individual will offer professional development and regular performance feedback to direct reports.
• This role will function with a high level of coordination and communication with the WEMBA Program Staff, including class managers and events teams to ensure smooth career program delivery. This role will also coordinate with several MBA Career Management Teams (Alumni Team, Programs and Communications, Employer Engagement, Data Science) to elevate offerings and leverage resources across the office.
• Finally, this individual will develop strong strategic relationships with MBA Admissions, Wharton External Affairs, and with key research centers/programs such as McNulty, Venture Labs, and WEMBA faculty.
• The position is located on the Wharton Campus in Philadelphia but requires frequent travel to San Francisco.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• M.B.A. or other graduate degree strongly preferred along with a minimum of ten years of prior work experience setting strategy for complex higher education organizations.
• Previous experience in areas of career and alumni engagement. Knowledge of career and professional needs of executive level stakeholders with career interests in an array of business sectors.
• Previous experience managing a team, providing project clarity, professional development opportunities and performance feedback.
• Highly motivated and dedicated individual with strong strategic thinking, problem solving and communications skills. Able to develop strong relationships within the WEMBA program, Career Management office, cross departments and with alumni. Willingness to go above and beyond in order to achieve the required goals.
• Ability to travel, both domestically and internationally.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $133,694.00 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 protectedunder 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 benefitsto 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