Senior Director for Commonwealth Campuses - Operations and Strategy

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.

The Senior Director reports directly to the Chief Director, Finance & Business and Commonwealth Campuses Operations, Strategy and Engagement and serves as a key strategic andfunctionalliaison between Commonwealth Campus leadership and the University’s Finance & Business units. This role serves as a thought partner and senior advisor to Commonwealth Campus Chancellors and supports key initiatives, provides guidance on design and project development to support University priorities.

The position plays a critical role in connecting people, initiatives, and resources to drive effective decision‑making and operational outcomes.

This position requires approximately 50% travel andoperatesin a hybrid work environment, with regular evening and overnight travel expected.

• Serve as the regional point of contact to the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance & Business and campus chancellors for operational needs that fall outside central work streams.
  
  Bridging gaps, fostering collaboration, and strengthening partnerships across all locations.
• Liaise between centralized workstreamsand campustotroubleshoot issuesandfacilitateremedies.
• Act as a project manager,aligned with the Chancellor’s vision and needs, provide strategic input on campus initiatives and planning efforts, including prioritization of key actions, and offer guidance on fundingsourcesand design,as appropriate.
  
  Facilitate alignment between campus leadership and project teams to advance initiatives and ensure coordinated execution.
• Cultivate strong relationships with campus leadership and key stakeholders to understand local needs and ensure responsive, high‑quality service delivery.
• Provide guidance on spaceutilizationand facilities planning, ensuring alignment withuniversityspace management policies in collaboration with the Officesof Physical Plant and Planning, Design and Properties.
• Serve as centralpoint of contact and connector tothe Office of Emergency Management Planning forcampus emergency planningexercisesandrelatedcrisis communications to support preparedness.
• Serve as the records compliance campus point of contact foruniversityrecords retention policies and regulatory requirements, promoting compliance and sound governance practices.
• Partner with finance toidentifyfunding opportunities and with the Office of Physical Plant to plan and advance campus projects aligned with strategic priorities.
• Collaborate closely with campus leaders across Finance & Business units—including University Police and Public Safety, Auxiliary and Business Services, Information Technology, Budget and Finance, and the Office of Physical Plant—to coordinate efforts, align priorities, and support effective service delivery across campuses.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to campus leadership to help shape decisions, connecting people, projects, and priorities, andsolvingcomplex problems while anticipating risks, identifying opportunities, and aligning initiatives with long‑term goals.
• In consultation with centralized offices, responsible formanaginglogisticsrelated toreal estate processes, risk management,records retention,procurement including vendor selection, negotiations, and contract performance.
• As neededand requested by campus leadership, represent campuses on committees and advisory boards;and act as a liaison and brand ambassador within local communities (e.g., local government, businesses, elected officials, school districts, and community groups).

• Progressive experience in strategy, planning, operations, finance/business services, or a related administrative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple stakeholders and organizational levels, including senior leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policies and processes for diverse audiences.
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional initiatives (e.g., compliance tracking, policy implementation,…