Job Details

Associate Director, Special Projects

Position Number: 7126739
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Business - Finance

Associate Director, Special Projects

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
Associate Director, Special Projects

Job Profile Title
Associate Director E, Business and Finance

Job Description Summary
The primary function of this position will be to serve as a highly versatile utility resource within the Department of Finance, providing broad-based, cross-functional support across all University funding sources. The incumbent will develop comprehensive knowledge of operating, restricted, gift and endowment funds to enable seamless coverage and strategic support across functional areas as institutional needs arise. Under the direction of the Director of Finance and Administration, this position will be a finance partner who can step in to troubleshoot, support special initiatives, process improvements, system enhancements and operational priorities across the school. The position requires strong independent judgment, discretion, and advanced problem-solving skills, along with the ability to manage competing priorities, identify workflow gaps, mitigate risk, and deliver high-quality analytical support in a dynamic academic environment.
The incumbent may track progress on multiple concurrent projects spanning a broad range of financial and operational topics. This position may serve on various project teams throughout the School and the University. Ensures that projects stay on track within stated timelines.
In coordination with the PSOM finance team, the incumbent will help identify and prioritize projects that are most beneficial to PSOM. The position operates professionally and independently when appropriate, while maintaining strong collaborative partnerships with departmental business administrators and central University colleagues. Other related duties as assigned.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Advances special project and planning efforts on behalf of the Director of Finance and Administration, covering a broad range of financial areas. Including but not limited to analyzing fund groups that require specialized reporting and tracking; variance analysis; multi year financial modeling. Participates in annual budget process and ongoing financial monitoring.
Serve as a utility resource within the department to provide cross functional support.
Analyze data from various systems to produce regular and ad hoc financial reports. Ensures accuracy, clarity and appropriate interpretation of financial information.
Develop, maintain, review and troubleshoot PSOM metrics, including those related to procurement and WorkDay. Partner with school and University colleagues to improve transparency, identify trends, and explain variances.
Evaluate and research system or technology solutions for increasing efficiency in financial tracking or business processes.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range
$109,000.00 - $130,000.00 Annual Rate
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.

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

Equal Employment 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.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/AnatomyChemistry-Building---3rd-Floor/Associate-Director--Special-Projects_JR00119233-1