Senior Program Manager

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 81,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Retirement plans

Flexible hours

Wellness programs

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania invites applications for a Senior Program Manager in the Center for Climate Resilience, reporting to the Director. You will oversee a portfolio of research, policy, and public outreach projects, coordinating staff, students, and external collaborators to move initiatives from plan to completion.

Responsibilities include coordinating administrative work, managing grants and budgets, leading fundraising efforts, and maintaining day-to-day project communication with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 5–7 years of experience in a related role.
• Demonstrated project management experience with multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong organizational and written/interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work across research, administrative, and external-facing work; manage priorities in a complex environment.
• Experience developing grant or foundation proposals and budgets; administering sponsored projects or awards.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the Center’s research, policy, and outreach projects; track scope, milestones, and timeline.
• Coordinate administrative work: agreements, contracts, awards, budgets and spending.
• Lead fundraising efforts and coordinate with development offices on proposals and budgets.
• Serve as a liaison to external partners in government, non-profits, and industry.
• Coordinate seminars, working groups, and events; manage staffing and onboarding for project staff.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organization

Cross-functional coordination

Education

BA/BS or equivalent

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 Program Manager

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Academic Affairs, Academic Center

Job Description Summary

The Senior Program Manager for the Center for Climate Resilience manages a portfolio of research, policy, and public outreach projects for the Center. Reporting to the Director, the incumbent plans and tracks project scope, deliverables, and timelines; coordinates the work of the staff, students, and external collaborators contributing to each project; and keeps projects moving to completion.

The position also coordinates the administrative work that supports the portfolio, working with School and University offices on project agreements, awards, and expenditures; manages the Center’s fundraising pipeline, leads the preparation of grant and foundation proposals, in coordination with School and University development offices; maintains day‑to‑day project communication with internal and external collaborators; and coordinates the Center’s seminars, working groups, and public events. The position coordinates laterally across the Center’s staff and research personnel.

Position is contingent upon grant funding.

* All SP2 staff are required to participate in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Project management: Manage the planning and execution of the Center’s research, policy, and outreach projects. For each project, maintain the scope, deliverables, milestones, and timeline; coordinate the contributions of staff, students, and external collaborators; and track progress to completion.
• Project administration: Coordinate the administrative work that supports the project portfolio. Prepare and route agreements, contracts, and awards in cooperation with School and University offices. Monitor project budgets and spending against plan.
• Fundraising: Manage the Center’s funding pipeline: identify and qualify grant and foundation opportunities; lead the preparation of proposals, supporting documentation, and budget materials with the Research Support Hub; and serve as the Center’s working‑level liaison to SP2 development and Penn Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) on foundation and donor prospects.
• External project coordination: Serve as a day‑to‑day coordination point for project partners in government, non‑profit, and corporate settings. Prepare project materials, updates, and summaries to be delivered to project partners.
• Events: Coordinate with the Director on the Center’s seminar series, working group meetings, and events from planning through follow‑up.

• Project staffing and documentation: Coordinate recruitment logistics and onboarding for new project staff. Maintain internal operating documentation and access permissions.

• Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Qualifications

Required. The successful candidate for the Senior Program Manager position will have:

–Bachelor of Arts and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

–Demonstrated project management experience: planning, setting milestones, tracking deliverables, and following through across multiple concurrent projects.

–Strong organizational skills and excellent written and interpersonal communication, with the ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines.

–Demonstrated ability to work effectively across research, administrative, and external‑facing work, and to manage competing priorities in a complex environment.

– Demonstrated experience developing grant or foundation proposals and budgets, and administering sponsored projects or awards

Preferred.

–An advanced degree (MBA, MPA, MPP, or a related field) and/or more than eight years of relevant professional experience.

–Experience in a research, public policy, higher education, philanthropic, or professional services setting.

–Familiarity with academic or applied social science research.

–Experience with proposal development, budget preparation, and sponsored project or grant administration.

–Experience working with university development or foundation relations offices, or with institutional funders.

–Experience coordinating the work of project teams, including students or junior staff.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Social Policy and Practice

Pay Range

$80,891.00 - $100,000.00 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, 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.