Manager, LPS Administration & Special Projects

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

Manager, LPS Administration & Special Projects

Job Profile Title

Manager C, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration

Job Description Summary

The Manager of LPS Administration & Special Projects reports to the Vice Dean for the College of Liberal & Professional Studies and ensures efficient operation of the Vice Dean’s office. The position also plays a central role in ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of division-wide administrative operations; manages LPS-wide events and communications on behalf of the Vice Dean; coordinates staff hiring processes and professional development activities and associated budgets; manages special initiatives and projects; and provides high-level administrative support to the Vice Dean and the senior leadership team of LPS.

Job Description

For over 130 years, the College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) in the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts and Sciences has extended a Penn education to a diverse population of ambitious students – from veterans and international scholars to high school students and working professionals. The LPS portfolio includes degree and non-degree programs designed to help students develop the skills they need to thrive in a changing global society. LPS programs are delivered on Penn’s campus, online, and abroad, and all have a foundation in the arts and sciences.

Responsibilities:

• Executive Level Support: Provide executive level administrative support to the Vice Dean of Arts and Sciences Professional and Liberal Education including drafting correspondence and reports, maintaining the Vice Dean’s complex calendar, meeting planning and preparation, and managing travel arrangements and reimbursements. Serve as liaison for the Vice Dean in interactions with internal and external contacts and direct communications for the Vice Dean’s office. Supervise Vice Dean administrative budget.

• Manage division level administrative operations: Oversee division-wide administrative functions and systems. Generate and/or maintain LPS policies and forms and supervise organization of shared drive; train and communicate with staff on policies and processes. Primary point person with SAS Computing and SAS Human Resources. Manage related budgets.

• Project and Events Management: Manage special projects related to LPS administration and operations; direct planning, coordinate and oversee communication with LPS staff and other offices, oversee project execution, report to LPS leadership on progress/results. Complete high-level projects involving collecting, collating and assembling data for various reporting needs, meetings and presentations. Plan and oversee regular events for LPS staff, faculty and employer advisory boards, alumni and donors. Participate in planning staff professional development activities and manage LPS professional development budget to support strategic priorities.

• Staff and Faculty Hires: As LPS Primary Recruiter, work directly with hiring managers and search committees, managing all Workday activity for LPS hires from submitting the job requisition through finalizing the hire and onboarding of the final candidate. Work with HR and business office partners to troubleshoot unique situations. Maintain tracking system and search files for all hires. Oversee new employee onboarding to Penn and LPS in concert with supervisors, well-being specialist and relevant SAS and University offices. Coordinate practice faculty appointments, reappointments and promotions with Vice Dean and affiliated faculty; assemble dossier materials and provide letter drafts to the Vice Dean; handle case entries and tracking in the Interfolio system.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in executive support or managerial positions or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to exercise diplomacy, tact, and judgment in interacting with a wide range of constituents at varying levels of an organization; demonstrated experience in handling confidential information with discretion.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, accommodate shifting priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a close-working team in a fast-paced setting requiring professionalism, strong work ethic, commitment to integrity, initiative, strong organization, flexibility, and the prioritization of multiple demands. Thorough knowledge of office procedures and meticulous attention to detail. Must be able to exercise initiative and the ability to make balanced decisions within the scope of responsibility and able to handle sensitive, confidential, and challenging situations with tact and diplomacy. Ability to take broad view of existing procedures to determine what is working efficiently and what issues need attention and to implement improvements.

• Proficiency with MS Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook or O365. Willingness to learn and apply new technologies as needed.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Penn or experience is a higher education setting.

• Knowledge of Workday and/or Interfolio systems

*For consideration, please submit a cover letter as well as a resume in the CV section of your application. You can upload multiple documents to the "Resume/CV" section.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$67,155.00 - $90,000.00 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 protectedunder 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