Senior Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education
- Location
- SCC-Aresty Inst/Exec Ed
- Work mode
- On-site
- Employment type
- Full-time
About the job
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 Senior Director, Open Enrollment Programs - Wharton Executive Education
Job Profile Title Director E, Student Services, Executive Education
Job Description Summary Wharton School Overview Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
The Senior Director, Open Enrollment, provides strategic and operational leadership for Wharton Executive Education's Open Enrollment business, overseeing a team of Directors responsible for developing, delivering, and continuously enhancing a diverse portfolio of executive education programs. The Senior Director is accountable for ensuring the quality, relevance, financial performance, and long-term growth of the Open Enrollment portfolio while fostering innovation and maintaining Wharton's position as a global leader in executive education. In addition to leading the Open Enrollment director team, the Senior Director directly manages a portfolio of high-profile strategic programs and partnerships.
Working closely with Wharton and Penn faculty, the Senior Director cultivates strong relationships that support curriculum innovation, faculty engagement, and portfolio growth. The Senior Director maintains a deep understanding of faculty expertise, teaching approaches, and emerging research while collaborating with faculty and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for new program offerings, refresh existing programs, and respond to evolving market demand. In partnership with the Senior Executive Director and academic leadership, the Senior Director develops strategies to broaden and diversify the faculty pool by engaging new Wharton and Penn faculty as well as distinguished industry practitioners and global thought leaders.
The Senior Director provides strategic oversight for program quality and participant experience across the Open Enrollment portfolio. This includes establishing standards for instructional excellence, monitoring participant satisfaction and learning outcomes, reviewing program evaluations, and ensuring that participant feedback is translated into meaningful program enhancements. The Senior Director oversees the evolution of the portfolio, considering all modalities, including how to incorporate hybrid content into programs. They will ensure consistent approaches to post-program engagement and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of innovation and service excellence.
The Senior Director is accountable for the overall financial performance of the Open Enrollment portfolio, partnering with Directors to monitor enrollment trends, revenue, expenses, profitability, and resource utilization. The Senior Director works collaboratively with leadership to establish portfolio priorities, allocate resources effectively, and ensure programs contribute to the financial success of Wharton Executive Education.
As a member of the Open Enrollment leadership team, the Senior Director partners closely with colleagues across Business Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Client Relations, Operations, Online, and Custom Executive Education to advance organizational priorities and deliver a seamless participant experience. The Senior Director serves as a strategic advisor and subject-matter expert on executive education trends, supporting business development initiatives, proposal development, strategic partnerships, and, when appropriate, institutional collaborations.
The Senior Director continuously monitors global business, leadership, and executive education trends, competitive offerings, and participant demand to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and growth. The Senior Director represents Wharton Executive Education internally and externally, articulating the distinctive value of the Open Enrollment portfolio and strengthening Wharton's reputation as a premier provider of executive education.
The Senior Director must demonstrate exceptional leadership, sound business judgment, and the ability to build strong relationships across diverse constituencies. Success in this role requires experience leading high-performing teams, collaborating effectively across cultures and disciplines, and navigating complex organizational environments. Domestic and international travel is required as needed to support faculty engagement, strategic partnerships, and program delivery.
Job Description Job Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Open Enrollment director team, overseeing a portfolio of executive education programs and ensuring alignment with Wharton Executive Education's strategic objectives.
- Lead and develop a team of Directors responsible for the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of open enrollment programs. Establish portfolio priorities, identify opportunities for growth and innovation, and oversee the evolution of the portfolio across in-person, blended, and emerging learning modalities. Directly manage a portfolio of high-profile strategic programs and institutional partnerships.
- Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate a team of Directors responsible for program management and portfolio performance. Establish performance expectations, support professional development, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture. Guide Directors in strategic planning, decision-making, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.
- Provide oversight for the financial performance of the Open Enrollment portfolio, including revenue, expenses, profitability, enrollment performance, and resource utilization. Partner with Directors to develop financial strategies, monitor program performance, and achieve annual revenue and profitability goals. Allocate resources to optimize portfolio performance and support organizational growth objectives.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with Wharton and Penn faculty to advance curriculum innovation, program quality, and portfolio growth. Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to identify emerging topics, refresh existing programs, and develop new executive education offerings. Develop strategies to diversify and expand the faculty pool by engaging Wharton and Penn faculty, industry leaders, and global subject matter experts.
- Participate as a key member of the Open Enrollment leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and organizational decision-making. Collaborate with senior leaders across Business Development, Revenue Management, Marketing, Client Relations, Operations, Online, and Custom Executive Education to advance strategic initiatives and deliver an integrated participant experience. Serve as a strategic advisor on executive education trends, supporting business development efforts, proposal development, and institutional partnerships.
- Establish standards for instructional excellence and participant experience across the Open Enrollment portfolio.
- Monitor participant satisfaction, learning outcomes, and program evaluations, ensuring feedback is incorporated into program enhancements. Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen program quality, innovation, and service excellence.
- Monitor global business, leadership, executive education, and competitive market trends to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for innovation and growth. Evaluate market demand, participant needs, and competitive positioning to guide investment and program portfolio decisions. Represent Wharton Executive Education internally and externally, promoting the value and impact of the Open Enrollment portfolio.
Qualifications Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in executive education, higher education, professional education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with the ability to provide strategic direction, establish priorities, and foster collaboration and accountability.
- Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing a portfolio of programs, products, or services with responsibility for growth, revenue, profitability, resource allocation, and overall performance.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively with senior-level stakeholders, including faculty, academic leaders, executives, clients, and cross-functional partners.
- Experience developing, evaluating, and evolving educational programs or comparable offerings in response to changing customer needs, market trends, participant feedback, and emerging opportunities.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizations, manage multiple priorities, and lead through influence.
- This position is considered essential personnel, and expected to travel (domestic and international) as well as work outside of normal business hours including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.
Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School Wharton School
Pay Range $132,275.00 - $180,000.00 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 shar
From Trustees of University of Pennsylvania's careers page (Workday), checked 31 Oct 2026.
How to apply
- Select Apply on upenn.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com. It opens Trustees of University of Pennsylvania's own application form in a new tab, run on Workday.
- Fill in the form and upload your résumé there. Jobiwork never sees your application.
- Trustees of University of Pennsylvania will reply to you directly. No real employer asks you for money to apply.
Posted 22 Sept 2026 · checked 31 Oct 2026 · Report this job