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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

Director, Finance and Operations

Job Profile Title

Administrative and Financial Officer

Job Description Summary

The Director of Finance and Operations serves as the primary financial and administrative specialist for the Office of the Executive Vice President (EVP). This role is responsible for managing day-to-day financial operations, conducting budget planning and analysis, and ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures. Reporting to the Senior Director / Chief of Staff, the Director also acts as a key liaison to the nine reporting divisions, fostering collaboration, communication, and alignment on critical financial and operational matters. The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented, strategic professional who can balance transactional oversight with forward-looking analysis, planning, and executive support.

Job Description

The Office of the Executive Vice President (EVP) provides strategic leadership and oversight for the University’s fiscal, operational, and administrative functions. Through its nine divisions, the EVP organization delivers essential business and campus services that support and enhance the experience of students, faculty, and staff. The divisions reporting to the EVP include: Audit, Compliance and Privacy; Budget Planning and Analysis; Business Services; Facilities and Real Estate Services; Finance; Human Resources; Information Systems and Computing; Investments; and Public Safety.

Financial Administration

+ Manage all financial operations for the EVP Office, including budget planning, forecasting, monitoring, reporting, and closing.

+ Process and oversee revenue and expense transactions, purchasing card activity, procurement, contracts, and expense reimbursements.

+ Generate regular and ad hoc financial reports using systems and tools including BEN Financials, Hyperion, Qlikview, Business Objects, Smartview, and Excel.

+ Conduct financial and operational analyses and prepare reports for EVP leadership across a wide range of initiatives.

+ Represent the EVP Office at university-level committees, including but not limited to the Association of Business Administrators, Budget Officer’s Forum, and Business Advisory Board.

Human Resources

+ Execute HR and Workday responsibilities for the EVP Center and affiliated offices, including but not limited to budget partner, HR analyst, security partner, and recruiting partner roles.

+ Manage position control, including tracking authorized positions and reviewing divisional submissions; provide regular reporting to EVP leadership.

+ Support workforce planning and organizational structure analysis across EVP divisions.

Strategic and Operational Management

+ Partner with EVP divisions to report quarterly metrics, annual strategic priorities, and ad hoc reports and analysis for University leadership.

+ Serve as the primary liaison with EVP divisions on finance and operations matters, providing guidance to ensure clear communication, consistent practices, and alignment with EVP Office and University priorities.

+ Provide recommendations to improve efficiency, compliance, and fiscal stewardship.

+ Collaborate on operational needs related to IT, facilities, and safety protocols.

+ Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of related finance and operations experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

+ Demonstrated expertise in financial management, analysis, and reporting.

+ Strong project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities across diverse stakeholders.

+ Advanced proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint; experience with financial reporting and data visualization tools (Business Objects, Qlikview, Smartview, Workday) preferred.

+ Experience preparing executive-level financial communications and presentations.

+ Self-starter with strong initiative and attention to detail.

+ Analytical thinker who can interpret data and provide actionable insights.

+ Effective communicator and relationship-builder.

+ Works with integrity and discretion.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Executive Vice President

Pay Range

$109,000.00 - $145,000.00 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.