Job Details

Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

Position Number: 9846379
Location: Philadelphia, United States
Position Type: Adult and Continuing Education Programs

Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

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, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education

Job Profile Title

Director D, 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.

The Director of Open Enrollment Programs provides strategic leadership and full ownership of a significant and complex portfolio of existing and new executive education programs serving senior leaders across industries. In collaboration with Wharton faculty, institutional leadership, and internal stakeholders, the Director designs, delivers, and continuously enhances programs that address evolving market needs. The role operates with substantial independence and is accountable for program quality, relevance, participant satisfaction, growth, and financial success.

The Director evaluates enrollment patterns, participant feedback, competitive activity, emerging business trends, and financial performance to guide portfolio decisions and identify opportunities for new program development. In partnership with Wharton faculty, the Director ensures program content remains relevant and reflects Wharton's latest thinking while assessing market demand, strategic alignment, delivery approach, pricing, profitability, and resource requirements. From initial opportunity through approval and launch, the Director exercises significant independent judgment in determining whether programs should be enhanced, repositioned, expanded, redesigned, advanced, or declined. The Director navigates approval processes and communicates decisions and supporting rationale to key stakeholders.

As the primary steward of assigned programs, the Director partners with marketing, client relations, operations, and business development to deliver a seamless, high-quality participant experience. The Director cultivates strong faculty relationships, aligns stakeholders around program objectives, manages expectations, and ensures effective execution across in-person, online, live virtual, and blended learning environments. The Director also champions innovative learning approaches, educational technologies, and evidence-based instructional practices that reflect Wharton's thought leadership and commitment to world-class executive education.

WEE comprises three business units: Custom, Open Enrollment, and Online. This position is part of the Open Enrollment business unit, with collaboration essential both within the Open Enrollment team and across WEE. The Director partners with Business Development and Revenue Management in support of group enrollments, ACP recruitment, and new business opportunities and collaborates with the Custom and Online teams to leverage capabilities across the division.

The Director's portfolio also includes new partnership programs requests with other universities, structured as customized offerings with the partner institution serving as the client. In collaboration with the Senior Director, the Director develops and executes strategies to expand WEE's university partnership portfolio. The Director assesses client needs and ensures that each curriculum delivers against the institution's objectives. The Director also manages client satisfaction and retention, with the goal of developing and maintaining high-value, multiyear relationships.

The Director owns program financial performance, including revenue, expenses, pricing strategy, profitability, and partnership contracting. Each program is supported by one or more program managers responsible for logistics and delivery. The Director provides matrix leadership to these Delivery Teams, establishing priorities and ensuring clear communication, effective project planning, and high-quality execution of the learning experience.

As an experienced member of the team, the Director mentors and guides colleagues by providing subject-matter expertise, advising on complex program decisions, and helping identify and engage key faculty and institutional stakeholders. This leadership is exercised through influence and expertise rather than direct supervisory responsibility.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Program and Portfolio Leadership: Provide strategic leadership, full ownership, and decision making of a significant, complex portfolio of high-profile Open Enrollment programs serving senior executive audiences. Partner with Wharton faculty and institutional leadership to maintain relevant content, integrate Wharton's latest thinking, and deliver an exceptional participant experience. Evaluate enrollment, market trends, competitive positioning, participant feedback, and financial performance to guide program enhancements, pricing strategy, investment, and portfolio evolution. Direct program planning, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement, with accountability for quality, relevance, participant satisfaction, and financial success. Manage stakeholder expectations and exercise significant judgment in resolving complex issues while balancing faculty and participant needs, institutional priorities, operational constraints, and responsible stewardship of Wharton's resources.
New Program Development and Strategic Portfolio Evolution: Lead the evaluation and development of new Open Enrollment programs from initial opportunity through approval and launch. Partner with Wharton faculty and senior leadership to assess market demand, strategic alignment, competitive positioning, content, delivery approach, pricing, and projected profitability. Exercise independent judgment in advancing, reshaping, or declining opportunities and navigate complex stakeholder expectations and approval processes. Communicate recommendations, decisions, and supporting rationale to key stakeholders, recognizing the long-term financial, operational, and reputational impact on the business. Integrate insights and capabilities across Open Enrollment, Custom, Online, and Live offerings to strengthen portfolio differentiation and advance the division's strategic priorities.
University Partnership Development and Management: In partnership with senior leadership, identify and execute strategies to expand WEE's university partnership portfolio. Cultivate prospective and existing institutional relationships, identify new business opportunities, and lead the response to new partnership requests from initial assessment through program development and execution. Collaborate with university stakeholders, Wharton faculty, and internal partners to translate each institution's specific objectives into customized programming. Evaluate strategic fit, feasibility, pricing, and financial viability; manage stakeholder expectations and approval processes; and communicate recommendations and decisions to ensure partnerships advance WEE's strategic and financial objectives.
Independently responsible for assuring targeted contributions to the profitability of the department through active P&L management, accurate pricing, and management of expenses.
Collaborate with colleagues from Business Development, Client Relations and Marketing to support group enrollments, advanced certificate programs and revenue growth initiative. Work closely with colleagues across the division to leverage best practices and identify opportunities for collaboration. Contribute to strategic initiatives that strengthen WEE's overall portfolio and participant experience.
Mentorship & Team Lead: Provide mentorship, guidance, and subject-matter expertise to Directors and other team members, particularly those developing their knowledge of Open Enrollment and university partnership programming. Advise colleagues throughout program development and execution, helping them navigate complex decisions, identify and engage key faculty and institutional stakeholders, and manage stakeholder expectations. Support the development of new content, programs, and university partnerships while promoting sound judgment, effective practices, and knowledge-sharing across the team.
Manage the effort of the Delivery Team for assigned programs to ensure that all logistical and operational details are prepared and delivered with exceptional customer service.
Stay informed about global business trends, leadership priorities, industry developments, and competitive offerings that influence executive education. Translate market insights into recommendations for program enhancements and future offerings. Maintain expertise in executive education best practices, adult learning principles, and evolving leadership development needs.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business, education, organizational development, management, or a related field and 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree preferred.

Demonstrated experience independently managing a complex portfolio of executive education, professional learning, higher education, or related programs from strategy and development through delivery and evaluation.
Strong business and financial acumen, including experience evaluating market opportunities, developing pricing strategies, managing program budgets or P&Ls, assessing profitability, and making resource allocation recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to use market intelligence, enrollment data, client or participant feedback, competitive analysis, and financial results to guide portfolio and program decisions.
Experience developing and launching new programs, products, or learning solutions, including assessing market demand, strategic alignment, operational feasibility, and financial viability.
Proven ability to exercise independent judgment, navigate complex approval processes, and make or recommend decisions with significant financial, operational, and reputational implications.
Exceptional relationship-management and influencing skills, with experience partnering effectively with faculty, senior executives, institutional leaders, clients, and cross-functional teams.
Experience assessing client needs and translating organizational objectives into customized programs or solutions. Business development and client retention experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to provide matrix leadership, mentor colleagues, and guide teams through influence and subject-matter expertise without direct supervisory authority.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and negotiation skills, including the ability to communicate complex recommendations and decisions clearly to senior stakeholders.
Experience working across cultures and in global environments. Familiarity with in-person, online, live virtual, and blended learning formats preferred.
Proficiency with CRM, financial management, project management, and program administration systems; experience with Salesforce or similar platforms preferred.
Ability to travel and work outside normal business hours on occasion. Also, serve as essential personnel.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$112,433.00 - $145,000.00 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, 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

Equal Employment 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.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/SCC-Aresty-InstExec-Ed/Director--Open-Enrollment-Programs---Wharton-Executive-Education_JR00127728