Job Information
University of Pennsylvania Director, Online Programs - Penn Engineering in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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
Director, Online Programs - Penn Engineering
Job Profile Title
Director A, Student Services, Academic Programs
Job Description Summary
Job Description
The Office of Academic Innovation (OAI) at Penn Engineering seeks a Director of Online Programs. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader dedicated to enhancing the student experience while driving academic success in Penn Engineering's online graduate degree, certificate, and MOOC-based programs. Overseeing five direct reports, this role involves spearheading initiatives that improve student retention, persistence, and overall achievement by providing tailored academic support and advising that address the unique needs of online learners. Additionally, the role will serve as the program manager of the online portfolio of programs, ensuring the highest quality offerings.
The Director will foster a vibrant online community, design engagement strategies that connect students, support virtual student organizations, and create leadership opportunities. Additionally, the Director will lead a team in executing these programs, using data-driven insights to continually evaluate and improve the student experience, ensuring that all online students feel supported and empowered throughout their academic journey.
About OAI: Reporting to the Executive Director of Academic Innovation & Strategy and working closely with the Leadership team, the Director will join a dynamic, fast-paced environment dedicated to delivering world-class engineering education that is flexible, accessible, and responsive to the needs of a global audience. This is a wonderful opportunity to impact the future of engineering education while working with a team committed to excellence and innovation.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Key Responsibilities:
Student Success Initiatives
Retention and Persistence: Develop and implement strategies to improve student retention and persistence rates. Specifically, oversee early warning systems, academic support services, and personalized outreach to at-risk students.
Advising: Oversee holistic academic advising services to ensure students receive timely and accurate guidance on academic and personal matters.
Academic Support: Oversee the provision of academic support services tailored to the needs of online graduate students.
Career Development Integration: Collaborate with career services to ensure online students can access career counseling, job search resources, and networking opportunities.
Program Management & Strategy
Portfolio Strategy Development: Define and develop a strategic plan for managing the online program portfolio, aligning with institutional goals and market demands.
Program Design: Oversee the design, development, and continuous improvement of online programs within the portfolio, including degrees, certificates, and on-demand courses, ensuring high standards of quality and engagement.
Student Engagement
Community Building: Foster community among online students through virtual events, discussion forums, and in-person offerings.
Student Organizations: Manage the creation and management of virtual student organizations, special interest groups, and leadership opportunities.
Orientation and Onboarding: Manage comprehensive orientation programs to help new students acclimate to the online learning environment.
Student Workshops: Organize workshops and training sessions for students on topics like time management, study skills, and online learning best practices.
Alumni Engagement: Develop and maintain strong connections with online alumni to create mentorship opportunities, networking events, and professional development resources for current online students, fostering a supportive and engaged community that extends beyond graduation.
Team Leadership and Management
Day-to-Day Operations: Oversee the daily operations of student success and engagement programs, ensuring smooth execution and timely delivery of services.
Team Supervision: Lead and manage staff responsible for various aspects of student success and engagement, including academic advisors and program coordinators.
Professional Development: Ensure team members receive ongoing training and development to keep pace with best practices in online education and student support.
Performance Management: Set clear goals and expectations for the team, monitor performance, and provide regular feedback and support.
Risk Identification: Identify potential risks that could impact the success of student engagement and support initiatives, such as low participation rates or technological challenges.
Problem-Solving: Develop contingency plans and proactively address challenges, ensuring minimal student disruption.
Collaboration: Work closely with faculty, administrative staff, the Penn Engineering Office of Academic Services (OAS), and other student-serving organizations to align student success and engagement initiatives, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive support system for online students.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Analytics and Reporting: Utilize data analytics to monitor student progress, engagement, and satisfaction. Use this data to inform decision-making and improve program effectiveness.
Surveys and Feedback: Regularly collect and analyze student feedback to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall student experience.
Program Evaluation: Regularly assess the effectiveness of student success and engagement programs and make data-driven adjustments as needed.
Innovation: Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in online education to enhance the student experience continually.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience in higher education, working directly with students, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master's Degree in higher education, student affairs administration, or a related field is strongly preferred.
Experience managing multiple employees.
Proficient with Gsuite, MS Office 365, and communication tools (e.g., Slack, Teams), and able to adapt to new tools and technologies.
Experience using technology to streamline student communication through ticketing systems, CRM, and/or project management tools such as Asana and Airtable.
Understanding of enrollment and retention benchmarking.
Demonstrated experience with academic advising for programs that include an online component is preferred.
Demonstrated understanding of the diverse and intersectional needs and concerns of historically excluded student populations in STEM.
Demonstrated ability to design and implement new programs.
Demonstrated record of personal and professional initiative, flexibility, and excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as a team member.
Department / School
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Pay Range
$51,824.00 - $95,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
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
The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on 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.