Director, Planning & Administration; Residential & Hospitality Services

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, Planning & Administration; Residential & Hospitality Services

Job Profile Title

Director C, Business and Finance, Business Services

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Residential & Hospitality Services (RHS), the Director of Planning and Administration is a key senior leadership team member. The Directors primary role is to implement strategic marketing and communication strategies to promote and enhance the Residential & Hospitality portfolio to students, families, professional staff, and faculty. Additionally, the Director collaborates with other RHS senior management team members on strategic planning and operational management functions, including leading strategic initiatives, department communications, crisis response, measuring service delivery, and prioritizing budgetary needs.

The position involves supervisory responsibility for two direct employees (Associate Director of Marketing and Communications and Programming Coordinator) and indirect responsibility for the Customer Service Coordinator and student employees.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Collaborate with department Directors, managers, and staff within RHS and Business Services to develop and implement best practices in cross-unit initiatives and achieve unit goals and financial and service excellence across all units.

Research, develop, and oversee responses to institutional or individual questions or issues brought to the attention of RHS directly or because of inquiries that arrive via other offices in the University. Responsible for writing, reviewing, and/or approving RHS external communications, including authoring executive correspondence.

Responsible for writing, reviewing, and/or sending emergency communications in coordination with the RHS leadership and BSD communications teams.

Responsible for critical and sensitive strategic priority setting, data collection, and reporting on the effectiveness of implemented priorities and strategies.

Lead department and/or divisional initiatives, as required, to include strategy and implementation across departments/units and ensure consistency while providing for appropriate customization.

Responsible for department metrics survey and data gathering, benchmarking and analysis, and the management of reporting the data in a multitude of ways with various stakeholders. Responsibility extends to integrating analysis, key findings, and recommended updates into financial, IT, communication, and budget planning and processes. Oversees the maintenance and management of data to drive strategic decisions/direction.

Responsible for planning content, including various topics, for department meetings (including senior leadership and all-staff) in alignment with department and division goals and priorities. Collaborate with the department and division Human Resource team on implementing professional development opportunities, including professional development.

Collaborate with the RHS Finance Team to ensure fiscal planning and budgeting for the communications team align with the needs and initiatives of RHS.

Provide a wide range of client services (such as navigating complex issues; addressing concerns of students/families/university personnel; supporting students/families/university personnel to find resolutions/resources; researching/benchmarking to develop/enhance initiatives; coordinating meetings, project management, and workflows) to BSD/RHS and campus partners as appropriate. Expected to liaise with various contractors, university offices, and university and non-university groups to access products or services.

Establish and maintain relationships with senior administrators of peer institutions and occasionally convene subgroups along particular interests or project lines.

Supervisory responsibility for two direct employees (Associate Director of Marketing and Communications and Programming Coordinator) and indirect responsibility for the Customer Service Coordinator and student employees.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree (Masters preferred) and 7 to 10 years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse constituent group is required.

Demonstrated ability to manage highly complex projects and new initiatives successfully.

Possess the ability to utilize and leverage technology, systems, applications, and social media to inform and optimize initiatives.

Must have the capability and demonstrated experience working independently while engaging resources across multiple work functions to help achieve goals.

Is able to multi-task and function at a high level in fluid and evolving conditions and environments.

Prior supervisory experience and experience in event planning/programming is required.

Requires availability and willingness to work occasionally on the weekends or in the evening to support key RHS activities.

Having familiarity with service provision in a university environment is desired, particularly with an awareness of student life issues and emerging trends.

About the Division of Business Services

The Business Service Division (BSD) supports the individual and collective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable, customer-friendly campus environment and providing mission-critical services and essential operations. BSD’s mission is to provide high-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner.

Currently, the Division is focused on three major initiatives:

Revenue growth/retention through improved marketing efforts, extended services, and the development of new distribution channels.

Driving productivity for the Division and its customers through the better use of technology.

Enhancing service offerings through upgrades and expansions of facilities.​

For more information on BSD, visit: https://www.business-services.upenn.edu/

About Residential & Hospitality Services

RHS is one of 15 departments and programming under the auspices of the Division of Business Services (BSD). Consistent with the division’s mission, RHS’ underlying philosophy is to provide our clients with high-quality services in a fiscally responsible manner. RHS is a group of dedicated, innovative, and student-centered staff that oversee the on-campus living and dining and conferences, programs, and events hosted at Penn. The team works closely with other partners to provide students and guests with services that support living and learning at the University of Pennsylvania.

Specific business units comprising RHS are Penn Residential Services, Penn Dining, Penn Conference & Hospitality Services, Off-Campus Services, and the University Club.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Residential and Hospitality Services

Pay Range

$74,476.00 – $119,000.00 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 Penns 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, youll 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

The University of Pennsylvanias special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penns robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the Universitys mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on 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.