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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

Program Manager, Urban Teaching Residency Program

Job Profile Title

Manager C, Student Services, Graduate Programs

Job Description Summary

GSE seeks a skilled Program Manager responsible for the overall coordination of all administrative aspects of the Penn GSE Urban Teaching Residency (UTR) program. UTR is an early entry teacher preparation program; that is, students are employed as first-year teachers while they are earning their teacher certification and master's degree. UTR is comprised of 7 overlapping program tracks, enrolls between 120 to 140 students a year, and runs 15+ courses a semester. We support the School District of Philadelphia and charter schools in the Philadelphia area. We aspire to provide every PK-12 student in one of our teacher’s classrooms with an accomplished novice teacher who understands the particular needs of urban schools, is well-versed in culturally responsive pedagogy and has an anti-racist perspective on education.

The Program Manager is responsible for the daily operations of and strategic planning and success of the UTR program and its students. To this end, the Program Manager is the primary coursework advisor for all UTR students. They support students from the admissions process, program completion, and then as an alum. To this end, the Program Manager develops and maintains systems for tracking, documenting, registering, and supporting students as they move through the various phases of the program. The Program Manager reports to the UTR Program Director and collaborates closely with the two Associate Directors.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

+ Student Registration and Data Management:

Responsible for the oversight of the full life-cycle of students in the program, starting as the first point of contact, during their student tenure, and up until graduation in the completion of UTR graduation audit; Serves as students’ primary coursework advisor; Resolves highly complex issues regarding registration, transferring between programs, and holds student support team meetings as needed. Liaises and serves as the primary point of contact with other GSE departments including the Office of Student Success, Student Registration Office, Admissions, Academic Administration Group, program managers meetings, etc.; Maintains and updates student and alumni data in spreadsheets. Monitors student progress in courses and updates databases accordingly. Communicates policies to students related to financial holds, academic probation, and other program specific policies and updates databases with student status.

+ Recruitment and Admissions:

Oversee the different admissions and recruitment initiatives of UTR, including creating materials, scheduling and staffing events such as information sessions and open houses, and communicating with different stakeholders, including student and alumni representatives and potential students. The program manager is the first point of contact for all applicants in UTR; Track application program data and support its use for program improvement; Maintain application rubrics and complete evaluations using the rubrics. Make admissions and scholarship recommendations based on these evaluations. Organize the application review process, assign and notify reviewers, and create spreadsheets to track application progress.

+ Program Operations and Communications:

Ensure smooth operations for all UTR programs, courses, and events; Ensure that UTR communications with students, faculty, and other programs are timely and clear, including creating and sending weekly student announcements and bi-monthly updates to instructors; Ensure instructors of evening classes have materials and support, including IT and facilities, as needed on a weekly basis; Plan and oversee UTR in-person and virtual events, including monthly dinners, cohort meetings, social gatherings, year-end celebrations, etc. Details of this include menu planning, event space coordination, and programming (slides, awards, etc.) Order and distribute materials (awards, swag, etc.) to students and instructors at these events.

+ Certification and Certification Manager:

The program manager oversees and documents the certification requirements for the UTR program and communicates with coaches, students, and instructors to make sure that students are on track for state certification. Write letters to school leaders and employers verifying certification status. The program manager is also the alternative certification manager for Penn GSE.

+ Policies and Budget

Create and interpret university policies and relay these to students through the UTR student handbook. The program manager has budget authority for all course related expenses, events, and office purchases. Detail all UTR purchases and spending each month. Responsible for monthly budget reconciliation.

+ Management and Hiring

Oversee the timely hiring and business processes for the UTR program; Process all hiring and payroll for the program, including instructors, guest speakers, research activities, and so forth.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL:

+ A Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience in increasing administrative responsibilities, preferably in an academic climate, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

+ Candidate must display superb organizational ability and an eye for detail.

+ Candidate must demonstrate ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects; to write clearly and professional; to represent faculty and degree programs at recruitment activities; to effectively interact with diverse communities and diverse actors; to encourage multiple perspectives as they impact on divisional activities; and to support the Program Director and faculty with tact, confidentiality, and judgment.

+ Must be collaborative, flexible, and work productively with diverse groups and individuals representing a broad range of constituents (e.g., students, faculty, staff, executives, mentors, school staff, students, and community service organizations).

+ The ability to foster a positive and productive working environment among faculty and staff is critical.

PREFERRED:

+ A Master’s degree and experience in higher education preferred.

+ Teacher education/teaching experience is preferred.

+ Expertise working with Microsoft Office, including Excel, and databases and an open willingness to learn and develop new applications are highly desired.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Graduate School of Education

Pay Range

$66,000.00 - $80,000.00 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.

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

The University of Pennsylvania’s special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. 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.