University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences (Penn SAS) seeks a collegial, entrepreneurial, and inclusive Senior Director of Global Alumni Engagement (Senior Director) who will be responsible for the strategic planning, creation, delivery, and maintenance of a comprehensive suite of alumni programs, communications, services, and volunteer opportunities meant to enhance philanthropic support and increase alumni connection and engagement. The Senior Director will think and operate on a global scale, reflecting the immense impact of Penn and its valued network of alumni who demonstrate the full possibilities of the liberal arts and sciences.
A community of more than 500 faculty and 6,400 students, SAS is the foundational underpinning of Penn’s educational and research excellence in the humanities, natural, and social sciences. As innovative teachers and outstanding scholars, SAS faculty members advance how one thinks about the world’s biggest questions, lead the way in transformative discoveries, and invent new directions in interdisciplinary inquiry. These synergistic avenues of study manifest in curricula, programs, and centers that specialize in the study of everything from climate and big data to the arts, democracy, and dialogue. With more than 120,000 alumni, SAS is the largest School within Penn. Positioned at the center of Penn’s intellectual universe, Penn SAS is preserving the vitality of the liberal arts and ensuring its continued relevance for a new era.
In partnership with the Associate Vice Dean for Advancement, the Senior Director will be chiefly responsible for managing the alumni engagement strategy for SAS and will manage the Arts and Sciences Ambassador Council. The successful candidate will develop, measure, and promote a range of engagement opportunities, expand a regional approach to catalyzing participation, and build connection with and among alumni groups, while ensuring a cohesive strategy across the team. The Senior Director will maintain a strong focus on fostering a high level of involvement and a culture of philanthropy that reflects Penn’s history and distinctions, championing an integrated and collaborative approach to inspiring philanthropic support, volunteer leadership, and engaged networks. The Senior Director will be an active thought partner with the Associate Vice Dean and will mentor and manage four staff members.
The successful candidate will be an inspiring leader and an effective liberal arts champion with all constituents, embracing open dialogue. The Senior Director will maintain the strong partnership between SAS and centrally based staff, encouraging a culture of coordination, collaboration, and cooperation.
The successful candidate will have at least seven to ten years of directly applicable experience, including staff management experience, ideally within a complex academic setting. The Senior Director will possess a collaborative and collegial style, strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and enthusiasm for the mission and goals of SAS and the broader University. A bachelor’s degree is required. In accordance with its core values and mission, Penn is especially interested in recruiting members of diverse communities and individuals with a commitment to multiculturalism.
Application Instructions
The University of Pennsylvania School of Arts & Sciences has partnered with Talent Citizen to assist in this recruitment. Please contact President Tracy D. Welsh, Managing Associate Rachel K. Partin, and Associate José Cisneros to share your resume and cover letter via email at: pennsas-sdgae@talentcitizen.com.
