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
Information Technology Director, Wharton Computing and Instructional Technology
Job Profile Title
Information Technology Director
Job Description Summary
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.
Wharton Computing Administrative Strategic Partnership Team
The Strategic Partnership team strengthens relationships to align technology with organizational goals. We collaborate with internal and external partners to understand needs, provide thought leadership, and drive effective technology development and use—empowering stakeholders to achieve their objectives and support the School’s mission.
IT Director Role
This role serves as the strategic partner to Wharton administrative units, including the MBA Division, Wharton Finance & Administration, Wharton Human Resources, and others as assigned. This individual will advocate for stakeholder needs, ensuring technology aligns with their goals. They will lead planning and execution of technology initiatives that support departmental, School, and University objectives. Strong communication, strategic planning, negotiation, conflict resolution, time management, project management, and relationship-building skills are essential.
Current projects within the administrative units in which this person will be deeply involved include the re-platforming of a critical application for MBA Career Management (MAP) and its evolution into WEC (Wharton Experience Coordinator), representing Wharton Computing on the Slate Graduate Admissions implementation team.
This role will also involve analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement, leading change management efforts, and ensuring the smooth adoption of new technologies and workflows that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Job Description
Primary responsibilities of this role are:
Strategic Business Relationship Management
Maintain a high degree of visibility within assigned departments, participate in and contribute to staff meetings as appropriate.
Cultivate strong relationships with departmental leaders and stakeholders to ensure technology solutions effectively support their business goals.
Develop a deep understanding of business processes and staff roles within the administrative units.
Technology Strategy, Design, and Consulting
Advise on technology options, risks, costs vs. benefits, and impacts on products, services, and business processes.
Understand, map, and document key business processes needed to achieve successful business results and technology solutions; identify opportunities to improve processes through the effective use of technology.
Analyze technology trends to determine the impact on the achievement of School goals.
Lead and participate in cross-departmental projects to ensure seamless delivery and IT integration.
Manage vendor relationships as appropriate.
Oversee the resolution of escalated stakeholders' technology issues.
Strategic Planning
Participate in short- and long-term strategic planning sessions with departments and understand and anticipate the direction of the department
Identify opportunities and develop recommendations to support their desired future state.
Advocacy
Advocate for the technological needs of assigned departments, including the MBA Division, Wharton F&A, and Wharton HR, guiding strategic technology decisions and leading cross-departmental initiatives to align with organizational, School, and University objectives.
Act as the voice of Wharton Computing within administrative departments, representing technology vision and promoting technology services and resources.
Act as the voice of the customer within Wharton Computing, representing department strategies, priorities, and issues.
Learn, document, and promote business knowledge of technology processes, roles, and procedures to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five to seven years of experience in an IT organization, preferably in higher education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications:
Experience in strategic planning, business development, management, and client engagement.
Passion for strong service commitment and delivery.
Demonstrated leadership, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and presentation skills.
Proven problem-solving, mediation, and negotiation skills.
Strong overall technology foundation and understanding of the evolving landscape.
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with and understanding of ITIL and/or ITSM.
Prior experience in Higher Education strongly preferred.
Applicants must submit a cover letter.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Wharton School
Pay Range
$120,000.00 - $124,000.00 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.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
IT & Security (1)