Senior Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 132,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Wharton Executive Education at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Senior Director, Open Enrollment Programs to lead the Open Enrollment director team and oversee a portfolio of executive education programs, ensuring alignment with Wharton Executive Education's strategic objectives.

This role drives portfolio growth and excellence in participant experience across in-person, blended, and online modalities.

Qualifications

• Lead and develop high-performing teams, set priorities, foster collaboration and accountability.
• Strong business and financial acumen, managing a program portfolio for growth, revenue and profitability.
• Build trusted relationships with senior-level stakeholders, faculty, executives, clients, and cross-functional partners.
• Experience developing, evaluating, and evolving educational programs in response to market needs and feedback.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and organizational skills for navigating complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Open Enrollment director team and portfolio.
• Lead Directors in program design, delivery, evaluation, and portfolio evolution across in-person, blended, and online modalities.
• Supervise and mentor Directors; drive performance and professional development.
• Oversee financial performance of Open Enrollment; develop strategies with Directors to meet revenue and profitability goals.
• Build strategic relationships with Wharton and Penn faculty to advance curriculum innovation and portfolio growth.
• Collaborate with senior leadership across Business Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Client Relations, Operations, Online, and Custom Executive Education.
• Set standards for instructional excellence and participant experience across the Open Enrollment portfolio.
• Monitor participant satisfaction and learning outcomes; drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze global market trends to inform portfolio strategy and investment decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

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

Senior Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

Job Profile Title

Director E, 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.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Open Enrollment director team, overseeing a portfolio of executive education programs and ensuring alignment with Wharton Executive Education's strategic objectives.
• Lead and develop a team of Directors responsible for the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of open enrollment programs. Establish portfolio priorities, identify opportunities for growth and innovation, and oversee the evolution of the portfolio across in-person, blended, and emerging learning modalities. Directly manage a portfolio of high-profile strategic programs and institutional partnerships.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate a team of Directors responsible for program management and portfolio performance. Establish performance expectations, support professional development, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture. Guide Directors in strategic planning, decision-making, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide oversight for the financial performance of the Open Enrollment portfolio, including revenue, expenses, profitability, enrollment performance, and resource utilization. Partner with Directors to develop financial strategies, monitor program performance, and achieve annual revenue and profitability goals. Allocate resources to optimize portfolio performance and support organizational growth objectives.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Wharton and Penn faculty to advance curriculum innovation, program quality, and portfolio growth. Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to identify emerging topics, refresh existing programs, and develop new executive education offerings. Develop strategies to diversify and expand the faculty pool by engaging Wharton and Penn faculty, industry leaders, and global subject matter experts.
• Participate as a key member of the Open Enrollment leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and organizational decision-making. Collaborate with senior leaders across Business Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Client Relations, Operations, Online, and Custom Executive Education to advance strategic initiatives and deliver an integrated participant experience. Serve as a strategic advisor on executive education trends, supporting business development efforts, proposal development, and institutional partnerships.
• Establish standards for instructional excellence and participant experience across the Open Enrollment portfolio.
• Monitor participant satisfaction, learning outcomes, and program evaluations, ensuring feedback is incorporated into program enhancements. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen program quality, innovation, and service excellence.
• Monitor global business, leadership, executive education, and competitive market trends to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and growth. Evaluate market demand, participant needs, and competitive positioning to guide investment and program portfolio decisions. Represent Wharton Executive Education internally and externally, promoting the value and impact of the Open Enrollment portfolio.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in executive education, higher education, professional education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with the ability to provide strategic direction, establish priorities, and foster collaboration and accountability.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing a portfolio of programs, products, or services with responsibility for growth, revenue, profitability, resource allocation, and overall performance.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively with senior-level stakeholders, including faculty, academic leaders, executives, clients, and cross-functional partners.
• Experience developing, evaluating, and evolving educational programs or comparable offerings in response to changing customer needs, market trends, participant feedback, and emerging opportunities.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizations, manage multiple priorities, and lead through influence.
• This position is considered essential personnel, and expected to travel (domestic and international) as well as work outside of normal business hours including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$132,275.00 - $180,000.00 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