Associate Director, Global Possibility Network (GPN)

Position Number: 7248678
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Economic and Business Development

Associate Director, Global Possibility Network (GPN)

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, Global Possibility Network (GPN)

Job Profile Title
Director B, Business and Finance

Job Description Summary
The Associate Director of the Global Possibility Network (GPN) serves as the operational and strategic lead for GPN activities at Penn GSE. Operating with high autonomy and limited day-to-day supervision, the Associate Director is accountable for setting priorities, managing external partner relationships, overseeing program design and delivery, and stewarding financial and reputational commitments on behalf of Penn and GSE. The role carries primary responsibility for delivery, financial, compliance, and reputational risk across all engagements. The Associate Director works in close coordination with a faculty sponsor, relevant GSE offices, and external partners to ensure GPN engagements are executed with excellence, integrity, and institutional appropriateness.

This position is contingent upon grant funding until November 30, 2026, unless further funding is secured.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Priority Setting (20%) Establishes priorities and sequencing for GPN work, translates decisions into executable plans, and adjusts course as conditions change. Secures faculty sponsor sign-off on strategic decisions as appropriate.
External Partnerships and Commitments (20%) Serves as the primary owner of partner relationships and external commitments. Shapes scope, deliverables, and timelines; manages partner satisfaction; and mitigates reputational risk tied to Penn and GSE.
Contracts and Scope (15%) Drives contract development and scope definition in collaboration with relevant Penn offices. Ensures that commitments are clearly articulated, mutually agreed upon, and appropriately priced.
Pricing, Budgeting, and Revenue Stewardship (15%) Develops pricing logic and delivery budgets. Stewards contract and gift funds and plans funding across the appointment period to ensure financial sustainability of GPN commitments.
Program Design and Delivery (15%) Leads end-to-end design and delivery of partner engagements, including staffing plans, schedules, materials development, and quality control. Directs internal and external contributors to deliver on program commitments.
Cross-Office Coordination and Compliance (5%) Coordinates with GSE stakeholders - including finance, compliance, and related administrative offices - to complete required process steps and prevent delays or failures that could jeopardize program delivery.
External Presence and Partner-Facing Communications (5%) Provides oversight and decision-making authority over public- and partner-facing communications and content, in coordination with GSE Communications as needed. This includes content that communicates GPN identity and activity (e.g., the GSE webpage) and content emerging from Possibility Lab public events and related outputs. This work supports credibility, manages stakeholder expectations, and represents Penn, GSE, and GPN appropriately.
Risk Ownership (5%) Carries primary responsibility for delivery risk (quality, deadlines, scope), financial risk (underpricing, payment gaps), compliance and process risk (completing required steps), and institutional reputational risk tied to external commitments.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience leading complex, externally-facing programs in an R1 university environment, including domestic and international partnerships and contract-supported delivery. Demonstrated experience with pricing and budgeting, stakeholder management across multiple offices, and responsibility for delivery quality and reputational risk. Master's degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Graduate School of Education

Pay Range
$92,592.00 - $115,000.00 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/Graduate-School-of-Education/Associate-Director--Global-Possibility-Network--GPN-_JR00120636

Job Details

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