Director of Wall Street Initiatives, Smeal College of Business

Remote and Hybrid Work

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see notice to out of state applicants.

This is an 83.3% full‑time equivalency (FTE) position. The number and timing of months off are determined by the position’s FTE percentage and the essential duties of the role. The salary range listed corresponds to a 100% FTE position; full‑time equivalency offers may fall outside this range due to the assigned percentage of effort.

The Department of Finance of the Smeal College of Business at the Pennsylvania State University (University Park) seeks a highly organized and empathetic individual for our new Experiential Learning Manager – Wall Street Initiatives. This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a competitive, high‑impact finance career development program designed to prepare undergraduate students for front‑office roles in financial services.

Responsibilities include curriculum design, student selection and evaluation, alumni engagement, employer relations, and program development initiatives that strengthen the university’s national presence in finance placement.

• Lead professional development workshops (resume development, networking strategy, professional social networking branding, interview preparation, professional conduct)
• Collaborate in the development and delivery of a structured, competency‑based Wall Street Boot Camp curriculum and experiential program, integrating technical finance instruction, financial modeling, market analysis, and the responsible use of technology‑enhanced learning tools
• Provide individualized career coaching and professional development guidance
• Coordinate and host industry professionals for instructional sessions and panel discussions
• Oversee a competitive application and selection process; establish selection criteria incorporating academic performance, leadership, extracurricular engagement, and career commitment; ensure equitable, merit‑based evaluation procedures

• Curate and manage an active alumni advisory and mentorship network; develop and maintain relationships with alumni working in financial services, in conjunction with the college’s development team
• Incorporate critical curriculum aspects such as Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Asset Management, Private Equity, and Equity Research
• Collaborate with faculty on experiential learning program and student career development best practices
• Lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate teaching assistants; oversee workflow and assign tasks
• Track student outcomes and placement results
• Maintain course materials and student performance metrics within the university’s learning management system
• Monitor student engagement, participation, and readiness for recruiting cycles
• Facilitate structured networking opportunities between students and alumni
• Serve as primary liaison to industry partners supporting recruiting pipelines
• Collaborate with the development team to support fundraising initiatives; draft proposals and program impact summaries for donor engagement
• Maintain historical placement data and produce annual impact reports
• Identify opportunities for program expansion and enhanced employer partnerships
• Ensure program alignment with academic initiatives

• Master’s Degree in finance or related field and 8 or more years of relevant experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Prior experience working with students, university career services, recruiting, or finance industry
• Additional experience writing proposals for fundraising initiatives
• Familiarity with Canvas or other LMS platforms is valued
• Investor relations ability (to be assessed via formal interviews with Smeal development office and a representative investor in the Nittany Lion Fund)

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $97,100.00 – $. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and substantial paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time). Employees also receive a generous 75% tuition discount, available to eligible spouses and children.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging.