Director of Wall Street Initiatives, Smeal College of Business

Position Specifics

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. The Experiential Learning Manager – Wall Street Initiatives 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;

is responsible for curriculum design, student selection and evaluation, alumni engagement, employer relations, and program development initiatives that strengthen the university’s national presence in finance placement. Commitment to student development and professionalism is key.

• 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).

• Resume or CV.
• Cover Letter.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

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 designed to support both personal and professional well‑being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes…