Director, Wharton Institutional Events

Director, Wharton Institutional Events

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 Employers By State in 2021.

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.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements and the use of Penn Open Pass, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title
Director, Wharton Institutional Events

Job Profile Title
Director C

Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Senior Director of Wharton Events. Responsible for central oversight, coordination, strategy, quality and execution of all Wharton events, meetings, and conferences, including those for the Dean's Office, External Affairs and Wharton San Francisco. Work with events groups across the School to advance school priorities and ensure consistent branding of events. Oversee the coordination and execution of five Wharton Graduation ceremonies, annual Wharton MBA Convocation, and other institutional events. Encourage consistency and synergy of marketing and communications materials and events School-wide. Develop event policies, procedures, and processes, including the speaker approval process, school-wide calendar of events, and events branding collateral. Work with schools/centers across Wharton and Penn on large-scale events and events involving senior leadership.

Job Description

As a senior member of the Wharton Marketing and Communications Department (MarComm), reports to the Senior Director of Wharton Institutional Events. Attend and participate in Director level meetings. Member of the MarComm Leadership Team.

Responsible for planning, coordination, and execution of five Wharton Graduation ceremonies; four in Philadelphia and one in San Francisco. Form annual Wharton Graduation Committee and lead planning process, meet with academic program partners in planning, decision making, and implementation of ceremonies.

Work across Wharton groups and University groups, building strong and collaborative relationships; attend University graduation planning meetings; serve as primary point person to the University Events team and to University partners who share the Palestra with us (SEAS and Education). Main point of contact at Palestra to coordinate multiple schools and the use of the space and vendors. Serve as primary contact to the Offices of the Wharton Dean and Deputy Dean, and the University President and Secretary's Office regarding commencement.

Work closely with Sr. Director to manage the speaker and VIP invitation process; collect speeches, create timeline for each graduation ceremony, prep the CMCO, Dean and Deputy Dean. Partner with the SF team and partner in planning as requested, staff the graduation ceremony. Liaison to the annual graduation speaker and his/her staff, leading planning and oversight process of graduation speech, transportation, timeline, etc. Responsible for working with the Deputy Dean's office to create the faculty participation list, manage ordering of regalia, working closely with the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Dean to create the faculty seating arrangement, day of staffing of event.

Work with Sr. Director to develop, implement and manage annual budgets for general events, Graduation (five ceremonies, one on the West Coast) and the MBA Convocation. Manage expenses related to event budget ($200,000+) graduation budget of approximately $400,000, Convocation budget of $5,000 and Speaker Series Endowment expense budget of approximately $75,000.

Oversee Wharton Events Community - motivate and mentor events planning staff across the School to create a culture of excellence and collaboration, cross-coordination and teamwork. Support the Program Offices in their flag ship annual events to onboard new students. Develop event policies, procedures and processes, including the speaker approval process, school-wide calendar of events, and events branding collateral. Encourage consistency and synergy of marketing and communications materials and events School-wide.

Work with Senior Director to establish Wharton branding at events, ensuring that there is School-wide compliance with brand standards for events. Establish School-wide best practices for internal and external event email marketing platforms, Cvent app event specific development and use, the School-wide calendar listings, and event communications strategies across the School.

Qualifications:
  • B.A./B.S. with 7 to 10 years relevant experience in communications or marketing. Higher Ed experience a plus.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor, manage and motivate a team of experience professionals.
  • Ability to work across diverse group using discretion, diplomacy, enthusiasm and patience to influence.
  • Technology savvy, with the ability to constantly learn new programs and work in the social media space.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with senior-level executives and administrators, vendors, and consultants.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
  • Advanced computing skills including creative of presentations using PowerPoint.
  • Ability to present to both peers and senior leadership.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in managing multiple simultaneous projects in a high-pace deadline-oriented environment.
  • Ability to lead and function effectively in a complex organizational environment demanding high energy level, discretion, enthusiasm, and patience.
  • Ability to work non-standard hours and weekends, occasionally, and as needed
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally.


Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Wharton School

Pay Range
$74,476.00 - $117,086.00

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check 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, 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

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/SteinbergDietrich-Hall/Director--Wharton-Institutional-Events_JR00053922

Copyright ©2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency jeid-99bd20d52bf0524c92c3f97ec2aa967d