"Associate Director of Student Life Events, Wharton School"

Job Description Summary

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 diverse population of staff, representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu

The Associate Director of MBA Student Life designs and implements comprehensive, inclusive, and engaging extra-curricular programming for over 1,600 Wharton MBA students. Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Student Life, the Associate Director leads the planning, coordination, and execution of all departmental events, student-led conferences, and major co-curricular initiatives. This role serves as the primary liaison to Wharton Events and collaborates extensively with colleagues across the Graduate Division and the broader School on large-scale, high-profile programs such as Welcome to Wharton, Preterm, Graduation, and school-wide celebrations. The Associate Director provides logistical leadership and strategic direction for event execution, ensuring seamless coordination across multiple stakeholders and units.

Job Description

Responsibilities include overseeing event operations from concept to completion, including venue selection, vendor management, risk and compliance, budgeting, and on-site logistics. The Associate Director also develops planning resources and best practices for student leaders, ensuring consistent quality and alignment with institutional priorities.

The role emphasizes strategic event planning, relationship management, and data-driven decision-making to enhance student engagement and ensure operational excellence. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, balancing onsite and remote work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field strongly preferred.
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in student life, event management, or a related field, ideally within a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in student engagement, including the development of inclusive extra-curricular programs and advising student organizations on club operations, leadership development, and governance.
• Extensive experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders-including students, staff, faculty, vendors, and institutional partners-to successfully plan and execute high-quality events and programs.
• Proven ability to advise students on event planning best practices, including risk management, budget planning, compliance, vendor coordination, and post-event assessment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of event planning and execution, from strategy and logistics to on-site management and evaluation.
• Strong project management, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team, exercising sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism.
• Familiarity with event management platforms, project tracking tools, and data-informed decision-making.
• Evening and weekend work required, along with some travel to support key student programs and events.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$79,500.00 - $93,400.76 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.

To apply

visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Huntsman-Hall/Associate-Director-of-Student-Life-Events--Wharton-School_JR00113673-1