Director B

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 B

Job Profile Title

Director B, Student Services, Academic Programs

Job Description Summary

The Administrative Director provides high level administrative and student support leadership for the Combined Degree and Physician Scholars Program, which manages the MD PhD Program and provides support for the MD/Masters programs and the medical student research programs at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM). This role oversees program operations, manages advising processes, tracks student progress across both medical and graduate training, and ensures a supportive and well coordinated experience for dual degree trainees. The Director works closely with program leadership, faculty, and institutional partners to maintain an effective, student centered training environment.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Coordinate the program’s annual advising cycle and provide general student support across all training stages.
• Assist with writing and coordinate data collection for training grant applications to the NIH and other funders. Prepare annual progress reports for funding agencies.
• Monitor academic and research progress, track key milestones, and identify students needing additional support.
• Maintain program communications, advising materials, progress‑tracking systems, and key administrative processes.
• Supervise 3 other staff members (direct reports) within the Combined Degre & Physician Scholars office whose roles support the MD/PhD program, MD/Masters programs and medical student research activities.
• Support major MD‑PhD transitions (graduate school entry, dissertation work, return‑to‑clinic planning, graduation).
• Collaborate with MD and PhD program offices, specialty advisors, wellness services, and graduate groups to integrate the MD/PhD program within the medical schools major education communities.
• Work with the medical education team and 13 graduate groups to provide a seamless experience for MD/PhD students as they navigate two doctoral programs in parallel.
• Contribute to program improvement efforts, student‑experience initiatives, and long‑term operational planning.
• Plan and participate in outreach activities to encourage undergraduates and postbac students to apply to MD/PhD programs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of educa tion and experience
• 5+ years of experience in academic advising, student services, medical/graduate education, or program administration.
• Strong interpersonal skills, discretion, and ability to support students in a complex, long‑duration training pathway.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem‑solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MD‑PhD/MSTP programs, medical education, or doctoral‑level student support.
• Familiarity with research mentoring, graduate program structures, and training‑grant expectations.
• Master’s degree (or higher) in education, biomedical sciences, counseling, or a related field preferred.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$79,500.00 - $120,000.00 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 protectedunder 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.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay