"Associate Director, Shared Services Financial Operations, Wharton Finance & Administration"

Posted Job Title

Associate Director, Shared Services Financial Operations, Wharton Finance & Administration

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Business and Finance

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 Associate Director serves as the principal operational and strategic lead for all financial activities within Finance and Administration, acting as the Director of Fiscal and Business Operations' second-in-command and primary delegate for day-to-day financial operations. This role functions as the central point of coordination for financial management across the School's largest administrative departments, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and consistent execution of financial policies.

The Associate Director oversees comprehensive financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and operational oversight, with accountability for accuracy, timeliness, and transparency. In close partnership with the Director, this role translates strategic objectives into executable financial plans, supports data-informed decision-making, and ensures that departmental operations are financially sound and compliant with school and university policies. Key responsibilities include leading the annual budget and projections, managing financial operations, and serving as the primary liaison between administrative departments, central finance offices, and external partners.

The Associate Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously improving financial and operational processes that enable departments to operate efficiently and make informed decisions. This position requires deep financial expertise, strong operational judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization while driving strategic initiatives that strengthen financial performance and organizational effectiveness.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end financial operations to ensure seamless execution for more than 5 Administrative Departments. Reporting on financial performance and prepare for regular review with management. This involves understanding unique lines of business, accrual accounting, contract interpretation, and developing client relationships. Provide financial analyses for decision support. Identify and drive process improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of financial professionals through clear, consistent communication and collaborative leadership. Foster a high-performing, high-morale team environment by setting expectations, providing regular feedback, and encouraging open dialogue. Support team members in strengthening existing competencies while proactively developing new skills through mentoring, cross-training, and professional development opportunities.
• Act as primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on all financial matters related to the departments. Direct the execution of the annual budgeting process, fiscal year-end close, and other interim/annual reporting for the team's research units focusing on accurate and timely reporting of financial activities. Develop and implement processes to enhance financial reporting and data analysis.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional projects to implement process improvements and operational efficiencies, serving as the central point of communication across stakeholders. Proactively manage project timelines, deliverables, and dependencies while ensuring clear, consistent, and timely communication within the department. Facilitate shared understanding of financial activities and transactions, promote transparency, and strengthen collaboration among team members and partner units.
• Proactively identify, troubleshoot, and resolve operational issues, while driving continuous process improvement initiatives. Serve as the subject-matter expert in financial operations, reporting, and analysis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Preferred major: Business, Accounting, or Finance
• Strong analytical skills with financial analysis, accounting, and business operations experience essential.
• Thorough knowledge of budgeting and financial management is required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Advanced skills in Excel.
• Experience managing, leading, and motivating a diverse group of professionals strongly preferred.
• Seeking a highly motivated, team-focused professional who performs well in dynamic, fast-paced environments and is passionate about developing creative solutions to complex problems.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$91,000.00 - $120,000.00 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.

To apply

visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/SteinbergDietrich-Hall---1st-Floor/Associate-Director--Shared-Services-Financial-Operations--Wharton-Finance---Administration_JR00115812-1