• Job Description

  Req#: JR00084281

  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, Office of Student Success, Penn GSE

  Job Profile Title

  Director B, Student Services

  Job Description Summary

  The Penn Graduate School of Education is committed to cultivating a workplace that values equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. We seek talented individuals who will help lead our efforts to create a more inclusive workplace in a community with a substantive institutional commitment to equity and justice. Diversity is prized at Penn as a central component of our mission and helps create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.
  
  The Director of Student Services at the Penn Graduate School of Education plays a pivotal role in ensuring the holistic well-being, professional growth, and co-curricular experience of students in both traditional and executive formats. This leadership position involves a comprehensive range of responsibilities, primarily centered around the supervision and strategic oversight of various student support functions. With a deep commitment to diversity and an understanding of the complex nature of the school's programs, the Director of Student Life is dedicated to enhancing student development and fostering a vibrant co-curricular environment.

  Job Description

  Primary responsibilities for this position include:
  

  Supervision and Leadership:

  • Oversee and provide guidance to the Assistant Director of Student Success and the Associate Director and Case Manager of Student Success, ensuring their effective management of student support services.
  • Develop and implement a strategic plan for addressing student life at GSE.
  • Supervise OSS Operating Budget and OSS Graduation and Orientation Budget.
  • Serve as representative of OSS in the Assistant Dean’s absence.
    

  Emergent student issues:

  • Serve as next level elevation for students, case manager, and programs. Receives all appeals notices and is the main contact for Office of Student Conduct, Office of General Counsel, Provost and President’s offices, and GSE/other faculty.
  • Take on overflow crisis caseload when necessary to provide timely support to students in crisis.
  • Develop and implement crisis response protocols and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
    

  Co-Curricular Management:

  • Manage and enhance co-curricular planning efforts, ensuring they align with the academic mission and student development goals.
  • Develop and oversee assessment processes to determine student co-curricular needs and make data-driven improvements.
  • Supervise the planning and execution of graduation ceremonies, which is managed by the Assistant Director. Work on long term planning for the sustainability of the ceremony.
    

  Well-being and student support:

  • Manage the process of ensuring student well-being is being addressed, which includes resources, services, and programs that address physical, mental, and emotional health.
  • Offer personalized support to students facing challenges related to well-being in case overload situations, especially related to complaints about programs and faculty.
  • Ensure at least an annual assessment of quality and quantity of support being provided and use data-driven analysis to determine the best use of existing resources.
    

  Knowledge and enforcement of GSE policies and procedures:

  • Maintain a deep knowledge of university and school policies and procedures related to student life, ensuring compliance and advocating for necessary changes when needed.

  Qualifications

  ESSENTIAL:

  • A master's degree in higher education administration, counseling, student affairs, or a related field. Minimum of 4-5 years of experience in student affairs, student services, student development, or student success with a record of increasing responsibility and leadership. Or, equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Strong understanding of student development theory and best practices.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse student populations.
  • Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
  • Knowledge of crisis intervention and support services.
  • Knowledge of program assessment and data-driven decision-making.
  • Familiarity with university policies and procedures related to student life.
  • Must know how to work with Mac or PC
    

  PREFERRED:

  • A doctoral or terminal degree in higher education administration, counseling, student affairs, or a related field.
  • At least 10 years of experience in student affairs, with a proven track record of leadership and management in a graduate school or similar setting.
  • Proficiency in program assessment and data-driven decision-making.
  • Expertise in GSE and Penn policies and procedures
  • Familiarity with the Microsoft Office Suite of products, especially Teams
    

  All applicants must submit a cover letter to be considered for this position.

  Penn GSE actively seeks and welcomes people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities, to apply.

  Job Location - City, State

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  Department / School

  Graduate School of Education

  Pay Range

  $61,046.00 - $85,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

  Affirmative Action Statement
  Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

  Special Requirements
  Background check 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

• About the company

  The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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