Director, Faculty Affairs & Administration - Wharton School

Director, Faculty Affairs & Administration
- The Wharton School

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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Job Description The Director of Faculty Affairs provides functional leadership for faculty affairs across Wharton, coordinating and supporting departmental staff responsible for this work and promoting consistent, responsive, and effective practices across the School. Reporting to the Senior Director, Deputy Dean's Office and working closely with the Deputy Dean, the Director leads and coordinates complex faculty appointments and personnel processes; provides expert guidance on School and University policies and practices;

and serves as a trusted resource to faculty, department chairs, senior leadership, and departmental staff. The Director provides functional leadership to Wharton's faculty affairs community and promotes a consistent, responsive, and high-quality experience throughout the faculty lifecycle. The role oversees interconnected administrative cycles, faculty governance and recognition activities, faculty systems and records, and related policies and practices, with an ongoing focus on ensuring highly effective faculty affairs operations and services.

Working across academic departments and School and University partners, the Director identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, practices, and tools, balancing consistency and administrative effectiveness with the needs of individual faculty and the complexities of the academic environment.

Qualifications A bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required. A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in faculty affairs, academic personnel administration, academic administration, or a closely related area is strongly preferred. Experience with in a complex research university or similarly decentralized academic environment is preferred. Experience at Penn strongly preferred.

Substantial knowledge of faculty affairs and academic personnel processes, including experience administering or advising on faculty appointments, reappointments, promotions, tenure, leaves, retirements, and other faculty personnel actions. Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying complex institutional policies and procedures and translating them into clear, practical guidance for faculty, academic leaders, and administrators is essential. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are required, including the professional presence, polish, diplomacy, and discretion necessary to work effectively with faculty, department chairs, senior academic leadership, and University partners on highly sensitive and consequential matters.

The successful candidate must be able to establish credibility and trust with senior stakeholders, communicate difficult or nuanced information with tact and clarity, and represent leadership decisions appropriately and effectively. Exceptional judgment and organizational acumen, including the ability to navigate sensitive faculty matters, recognize institutional and reputational implications, balance multiple perspectives, and determine when issues require consultation or escalation. Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive personnel and institutional information is essential.

Must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to independently evaluate complex cases, identify policy or procedural issues, develop thoughtful recommendations, and anticipate potential challenges before they arise. Demonstrated success leading complex,…