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.
The Senior Director, Open Enrollment, provides strategic and operational leadership for Wharton Executive Education's Open Enrollment business, overseeing a team of Directors responsible for developing, delivering, and continuously enhancing a diverse portfolio of executive education programs. The Senior Director is accountable for ensuring the quality, relevance, financial performance, and long-term growth of the Open Enrollment portfolio while fostering innovation and maintaining Wharton's position as a global leader in executive education. In addition to leading the Open Enrollment director team, the Senior Director directly manages a portfolio of high-profile strategic programs and partnerships.
Working closely with Wharton and Penn faculty, the Senior Director cultivates strong relationships that support curriculum innovation, faculty engagement, and portfolio growth. The Senior Director maintains a deep understanding of faculty expertise, teaching approaches, and emerging research while collaborating with faculty and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for new program offerings, refresh existing programs, and respond to evolving market demand. In partnership with the Senior Executive Director and academic leadership, the Senior Director develops strategies to broaden and diversify the faculty pool by engaging new Wharton and Penn faculty as well as distinguished industry practitioners and global thought leaders.
The Senior Director provides strategic oversight for program quality and participant experience across the Open Enrollment portfolio. This includes establishing standards for instructional excellence, monitoring participant satisfaction and learning outcomes, reviewing program evaluations, and ensuring that participant feedback is translated into meaningful program enhancements. The Senior Director oversees the evolution of the portfolio, considering all modalities, including how to incorporate hybrid content into programs. They will ensure consistent approaches to post-program engagement and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of innovation and service excellence.
The Senior Director is accountable for the overall financial performance of the Open Enrollment portfolio, partnering with Directors to monitor enrollment trends, revenue, expenses, profitability, and resource utilization. The Senior Director works collaboratively with leadership to establish portfolio priorities, allocate resources effectively, and ensure programs contribute to the financial success of Wharton Executive Education.
As a member of the Open Enrollment leadership team, the Senior Director partners closely with colleagues across Business Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Client Relations, Operations, Online, and Custom Executive Education to advance organizational priorities and deliver a seamless participant experience. The Senior Director serves as a strategic advisor and subject-matter expert on executive education trends, supporting business development initiatives, proposal development, strategic partnerships, and, when appropriate, institutional collaborations.
The Senior Director continuously monitors global business, leadership, and executive education trends, competitive offerings, and participant demand to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and growth. The Senior Director represents Wharton Executive Education internally and externally, articulating the distinctive value of the Open Enrollment portfolio and strengthening Wharton's reputation as a premier provider of executive education.
The Senior Director must demonstrate exceptional leadership, sound business judgment, and the ability to build strong relationships across diverse constituencies. Success in this role requires experience leading high-performing teams, collaborating effectively across cultures and disciplines, and navigating complex organizational environments. Domestic and international travel is required as needed to support faculty engagement, strategic partnerships, and program delivery.
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 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