Senior Director for Commonwealth Campuses - Operations and Strategy

Penn State University; Kentucky; Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Senior Director who partners with Commonwealth Campus leadership and university Finance & Business units to drive strategic planning and operational excellence.

This role requires extensive travel, works in a hybrid environment, and serves as a key liaison across campuses while shaping major initiatives, design, and resource allocation.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in strategy, planning, operations, finance/business services, or a related administrative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders and organizational levels, including senior leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policies and processes for diverse audiences.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional initiatives (e.g., compliance tracking, policy implementation, operational improvement).
• Ability to establish and foster relationships with internal and external constituents to support campus goals and advance projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the regional point of contact to the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance & Business and campus chancellors for operational needs.
• Liaise between centralized workstreams and campus to troubleshoot issues and facilitate remedies.
• Act as a project manager aligned with the Chancellor’s vision, prioritizing actions and guiding funding sources and design.
• Cultivate relationships with campus leadership to understand local needs and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Provide guidance on space utilization and facilities planning in collaboration with campus offices.
• Serve as central contact for emergency management planning and crisis communications for preparedness.
• Support records retention compliance and governance practices across campuses.
• Partner with finance and other offices to identify funding opportunities and plan campus projects.
• Collaborate with campus leaders across units to coordinate efforts and align priorities.
• Represent campuses on committees and act as a liaison within local communities when needed.

Skills

Strategy & planning

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication skills

Cross-functional coordination

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Senior Director reports directly to theChief Director, Finance & Business and Commonwealth Campuses Operations, Strategy and Engagementand serves as a key strategic andfunctionalliaison between Commonwealth Campus leadership and the University’s Finance & Business units. This role serves as a thought partner and senior advisor to Commonwealth Campus Chancellors and supports key initiatives, provides guidance on design and project development to support University priorities. The position plays a critical role in connecting people, initiatives, and resources to drive effective decision-making and operational outcomes.

This position requires approximately 50% travel andoperatesin a hybrid work environment, with regular evening and overnight travel expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the regional point of contact to the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance & Business and campus chancellors for operational needs that fall outside central workstreams.Bridging gaps, fostering collaboration, and strengthening partnerships across all locations.
• Liaise between centralized workstreamsand campustotroubleshoot issuesandfacilitateremedies.
• Act as a project manager,aligned with theChancellor’s vision and needs, provide strategic input on campus initiatives and planning efforts, including prioritization of key actions, and offer guidance on fundingsourcesand design,as appropriate.Facilitate alignment between campus leadership and project teams to advance initiatives and ensure coordinated execution.
• Cultivate strong relationships with campus leadership and key stakeholders to understand local needs and ensure responsive, high-quality service delivery.
• Provide guidance on spaceutilizationand facilities planning, ensuring alignment withuniversityspace management policiesin collaboration with the Officesof Physical Plant and Planning, Design and Properties.
• Serve ascentralpoint of contact and connector tothe Office of Emergency Management Planning forcampus emergency planningexercisesandrelatedcrisis communicationsto support preparedness.
• Serve as the records compliance campus point of contact foruniversityrecords retention policies and regulatory requirements, promoting compliance and sound governance practices.
• Partner with finance toidentifyfunding opportunities and with the Office of Physical Plant to plan and advance campus projects aligned with strategic priorities.
• Collaborate closely with campus leaders across Finance & Business units—including University Police and Public Safety, Auxiliary and Business Services, Information Technology, Budget and Finance, and the Office of Physical Plant—to coordinate efforts, align priorities, and support effective service delivery across campuses.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to campus leadership to help shape decisions, connecting people, projects, and priorities, andsolvingcomplex problems while anticipating risks, identifying opportunities, and aligning initiatives with long-term goals.
• In consultation withcentralized offices, responsible formanaginglogisticsrelated toreal estate processes, risk management,records retention,procurementincluding vendor selection, negotiations, and contract performance.
• As neededand requested by campus leadership, represent campuses on committees and advisory boards;and act as a liaison and brand ambassador withinlocal communities (e.g., local government, businesses, elected officials, school districts, and community groups).

Required Qualifications

• Progressive experience in strategy, planning, operations, finance/business services, or a related administrative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders and organizational levels, including senior leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policies and processes for diverse audiences.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional initiatives (e.g., compliance tracking, policy implementation, operational improvement).
• Ability toestablishand foster relationships with keyinternal and externalconstituents to support campus goalsand advance projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education, planning, ora relatedfield.
• Experience in higher education administration, multi-site operations, or regional campus environments.
• Knowledge of procurement, contracting, risk management, and/or real estate operations.
• Experience with space management and facilities planning.
• Experience supporting emergency management planning or crisis communications.

Additional Information

• WorkLocation: Home campus either Altoona, Behrend, Beaver, GreaterAllegheny
• Supports the following campuses: Altoona, Behrend, Beaver, Fayette, GreaterAllegheny, New Kensington and Shenango
• Work Arrangement: This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.
• Travel: 50% travel (including evening and overnight)to regional campuses and community partner sites.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday with someeveningand occasionalweekend work.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $115,860.00 - $173,844.00.

Salary Structure- Information on Penn State’s salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster

PA State Labor Law Poster

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information

Hotlines