Business Manager, The Lauder Institute

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

Business Manager, The Lauder Institute

Job Profile Title

Business Manager B

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 Lauder Institute The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies was founded in 1983 at the University of Pennsylvania by brothers Leonard and Ronald Lauder, in honor of their father Joseph Lauder. The Institute houses a 24-month joint degree MA degree program in International Studies for incoming cohorts of approximately 75 students each year. The degree is awarded by the School of Arts and Sciences and is offered as a joint program with the Wharton MBA or the JD Program at Penn Carey Law School.

Job Description

Reporting to the Managing Director of the Lauder Institute, this position is responsible for managing and coordinating key functional areas including accounting, budgeting, compliance with financial processes and policies, partnering with other functional areas such as Admissions & Student Financial Aid, Lauder committees, and advising senior leadership on the financial impact of strategic initiatives and Lauder Institute programming. Working closely with multiple stakeholders, the Business Manager analyzes and advises senior Institute leadership and finance board committee, ensures financial management and compliance of domestic and international programming with faculty, students, staff, host institutions, and third-party vendors. In addition, this position liaises with other units at the University including Deans' Offices for faculty appointments, Student Registration and Financial Services, Wharton Computing and Human Resources. This position plays a critical role in integrating strategic initiatives and priorities into fiscal planning and thus serves in an advisory capacity to senior leadership at the Institute. The incumbent supervises two full-time staff positions that provide Registrar and Travel support services for the Lauder Institute office as well as work-study students and/or interns. This position serves as principal liaison to Wharton Computing and Facilities.

Duties Include:

• Financial management, reporting, and advising for Lauder Institute finance committee and Wharton F&A
• Assist and advise senior Institute leadership for board reporting and strategic initiatives
• Oversee procurement, disbursement and travel & entertainment budgets and policies for Lauder Institute's international programming
• Manage payroll and key functions in Workday. Manage faculty appointment deadlines and processes with multiple schools.
• Ensure compliance with gift agreements, provide spending data to External Affairs
• Ensure accurate budgeting and awarding of Student Financial Aid, serving as principal liaison to financial aid offices (SAS, Wharton, PennCarey)
• Exercise sound resource stewardship and ensure compliance with related University and School policies and procedures
• Supervise two full-time employees
• Serve as liaison to Building and Facilities administration, Computing and HR

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of financial management, budgeting, and reporting practices, ideally in an academic setting.
• Experience with compliance processes, financial policies, and resource stewardship.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial data and provide strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Experience supervising staff and/or managing teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with previous experience collaborating effectively with senior leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Familiarity with faculty appointments, payroll, or academic administration processes.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across multiple units (finance, HR, admissions, student services, facilities, IT).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Knowledge of gift agreement compliance, procurement policies, and international programming finance.
• Experience with financial, student records, and HR systems in an academic setting.
• Prior experience advising senior leadership and preparing board-level financial reports.
• Experience managing faculty appointments, payroll, or academic administration processes.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$76,000.00 - $114,845.00 Annual Rate