Director of Student Services, Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies

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

Director of Student Services, Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies

Job Profile Title

Director C, Student Services, Graduate Programs

Job Description Summary

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. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Lauder Institute:
The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies was founded in 1983 at the University of Pennsylvania by brothers Leonard and Ronald Lauder, in honor of their father Joseph Lauder. The Institute houses a 24-month joint degree MA degree program in International Studies for incoming cohorts of approximately 75 students each year. The degree is awarded by the School of Arts and Sciences and is offered as a joint program with the Wharton MBA or the JD Program at Penn Carey Law School.

Job Description

As key member of the senior leadership team at the Lauder Institute, the Director of Student Services will provide oversight and manage full-time staff members in Lauder student admissions, career advising, and alumni relations. The position is responsible for managing and implementing a holistic recruitment-to-alumni engagement strategy and for providing data-driven recommendations to senior leadership regarding new opportunities for growth and improvement in each respective area. In addition to participating directly in operational events and activities including Admissions reviews and decisions, the director integrates three key functions, namely admissions, career advising and alumni relations, in order to ensure brand consistency and to meet the strategic priorities of the Lauder Institute. The director will collect, analyze and assess data-driven to be shared with senior leadership. Responsibilities require strong collaborative approach and excellent communication skills. Projects involve internal stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, and boards as well as external stakeholders such as Wharton Marketing and Communication, Wharton Career Management, Wharton External Affairs, corporate partners etc.  This position will also work actively with alumni who are engaged with admissions and career management activities.

Some domestic and international travel is required.

This position is contingent upon continued funding.

Duties include:

• Integrate three key areas: admissions, career advising, and alumni relations. Serve in a strategic advisory capacity to senior leadership at the Institute.
• Manage 2 full-time staff as well as any student workers and/or temporary employees.
• Oversee and participate in core activities in Admissions and Career Management and provide strategic direction in those areas.
• Integrate data analysis to decision-making and recommendations.
• Approve final copy of marketing collateral with admissions and career management focus and content, evaluate effectiveness of communications and marketing.
• Represent the Institute domestically and internationally as needed.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 7 + years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Master's degree strongly preferred.

• Proven Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage full-time staff and oversee multiple functional areas.
• Strategic Planning and Execution: Experience developing and implementing multi-year strategies, especially across admissions, career services, and alumni engagement.
• Cross-Functional Skills: Ability to unify distinct teams/functions to support institutional goals and ensure brand consistency.
• Strong Analysis and Decision-Making Skills: Ability to collect, analyze, and use data to inform strategy and present actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
• Experience in Higher Education or Student Services: Deep understanding of student lifecycle management from recruitment through alumni engagement.
• Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Strong written and verbal communication; able to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Admissions Cycle Oversight: Experience participating in and managing core admissions processes, including application reviews and decision-making.
• Marketing and Communications Oversight: Ability to evaluate and approve admissions and career-related marketing materials for brand alignment and effectiveness.
• Alumni Relations Expertise: Background in engaging alumni in both volunteer and professional capacities, especially around mentoring or recruitment.
• Career Services and Employer Engagement Knowledge: Familiarity with career advising and building relationships with corporate partners or recruiters.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

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 protected under 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.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay