Senior Director for Commonwealth Campuses - Operations and Strategy

Penn State University; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 109,300 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount for employees and eligible families

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Penn State University is seeking a Senior Director to serve as a key strategic and functional liaison between Commonwealth Campus leadership and the University’s Finance & Business units. This position requires significant travel and plays a critical role in connecting initiatives, resources, and decision-making across multiple campuses.

A Bachelor’s Degree and extensive experience are required, along with demonstrated leadership in higher education administration. The role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including a tuition discount for employees.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in strategy, planning, operations, or finance/business services.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders and organizational levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as regional point of contact for operational needs.
• Liaise between centralized workstreams and campus.
• Act as project manager aligned with the Chancellor’s vision.

Job description

Application Instructions

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Position Overview

The Senior Director reports directly to the Chief Director, Finance & Business and Commonwealth Campuses Operations, Strategy and Engagement and serves as a key strategic and functional liaison 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 and operates in 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 workstreams and campus to troubleshoot issues and facilitate remedies.
• Act as a project manager aligned with the Chancellor’s vision and needs, provide strategic input on campus initiatives and planning efforts, including prioritization of key actions, and offer guidance on funding sources and 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 space utilization and facilities planning, ensuring alignment with university space management policies in collaboration with the Offices of Physical Plant and Planning, Design and Properties.
• Serve as central point of contact and connector to the Office of Emergency Management Planning for campus emergency planning exercises and related crisis communications to support preparedness.
• Serve as the records compliance campus point of contact for university records retention policies and regulatory requirements, promoting compliance and sound governance practices.
• Partner with finance to identify funding 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, and solving complex problems while anticipating risks, identifying opportunities, and aligning initiatives with long‑term goals.
• In consultation with centralized offices, responsible for managing logistics related to real‑estate processes, risk management, records retention, procurement including vendor selection, negotiations, and contract performance.
• As needed and requested by campus leadership, represent campuses on committees and advisory boards; and act as a liaison and brand ambassador within local 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 such as compliance tracking, policy implementation, and operational improvement.
• Ability to establish and foster relationships with key internal and external constituents to support campus goals and advance projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, higher education, planning, or a related field.
• 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

• Work Location: Home campus (Altoona, Behrend, Beaver, Greater Allegheny).
• Campuses supported: Altoona, Behrend, Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, New Kensington, and Shenango.
• Work Arrangement: Flexible work arrangement combining remote and on‑campus work. Remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed.
• Travel: 50% travel, including evening and overnight travel, to regional campuses and community partner sites.
• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday with some evening and occasional weekend work.

Minimum Education & Work Experience

Bachelor’s Degree with 10+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. No certifications required.

Background Checks & Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies. The position requires that you operate a motor vehicle; a valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required. 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

Salary range: $109,300.00 – $164,000.00. Salary structure and comprehensive benefits package include medical, dental, vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, holidays, vacation, sick time, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.

EEO Statement

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.