"Director of Asynchronous Programs, Wharton Online - Wharton Executive Education"

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 dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Director of Asynchronous Programs, Wharton Online, is a critical role on Wharton Executive Education's (WEE) Program Design and Management Team. This position is responsible for directing the creation and launch of new online, primarily asynchronous, open enrollment offerings. The Program Director is also responsible for the management of existing programs/courses, including content updates, modifications informed by learner feedback and data, and overall learner satisfaction of these courses/programs.

Under the supervision of Wharton Online's Senior Director, the Director will work closely with the Instructional Design & Content Strategy team, Director of Project & Content Management, Wharton faculty, and colleagues from WEE's Marketing and Client Relations teams to assess market demand for new and existing content. In concert with these teams and colleagues, the Director will lead the development of these online executive education offerings to be consistent with the mission and goals of the Wharton School, Executive Education, and Wharton Online (WO). They are accountable for understanding and assessing market and learner needs, ensuring a high quality of instruction that delivers on those needs, and responding to and implementing learner feedback. They will work collaboratively with faculty and the online team to develop innovative, sophisticated and robust educational solutions and identify faculty to deliver program content that enhances and meets the learning objectives of participants.

The Director must demonstrate financial acumen and be responsible for ensuring positive contribution to the profitability of WO through cost management and support of both the marketing and client relations teams.

As part of the content development process, the Director will create appropriate post-program follow-up initiatives for OE offerings to ensure participants' program satisfaction and assess their success in the application of program tools/knowledge.

This position requires matrixed oversight of program delivery teams, with the expectation that each program is delivered with consistent program performance standards and seamless delivery.

The Director must have the demonstrated ability and willingness to work with ease across cultures and geographies, and be willing to work non-traditional hours at times.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new online Open Enrollment programs by keeping current on latest trends in business and conducting marketing analyses to identify new products and programs. Work collaboratively with Executive Education colleagues (online, marketing, client relations) and Wharton faculty to develop robust online open enrollment offerings. Cultivate and deepen relationships with new and existing online faculty through outreach and communication.
• Create and lead the refresh and update cycle of existing Open Enrollment offerings to match market demand. Ensure high-quality customer experience throughout the learning journey (pre, during, and post program) across the online portfolio.
• Oversee implementation of appropriate post-program follow-up to measure customer satisfaction and their ability to apply learning solutions. Actively engage in follow-up practices with learners and faculty as needed.
• Demonstrate financial acumen by ensuring a positive contribution to Wharton Online's bottom line by:
• Conducting market analyses to identify and recommend new programming with commercial potential.
• Being responsible for cost management of individual programs by outlining faculty payment terms and production/post-production costs.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of Wharton and external faculty areas of expertise to better develop programs and incorporate new faculty into the Open Enrollment portfolio. Match expertise to learner and market needs. Serve as lead team member for initial faculty outreach.
• Manage the effort of the delivery team to ensure that OE online programs are delivered with exceptional customer service for learner and faculty. Provide post-program feedback to online to help inform future business decisions and updates.
• Serve as an advocate and role model in using the latest technology to develop executive education programs; keep current on developments in other units and other related cross-school initiatives.
• Become proficient in all current and future office processes and administrative systems, which support scheduling, faculty compensation, and project management (e.g. Salesforce, Engage, Basecamp, etc.).
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years' experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 7-10 years' experience preferred. Master's degree in a related field highly preferred. Experience in designing educational solutions preferably in a high-end solutions environment or higher education, academic environment.

Experience in consultative, adult learning theory and practices in industry and academic institutions strongly preferred. Experience in industry beyond the learning and development function a plus. Understanding of the executive education market and trends. Knowledge of faculty and resources available to Wharton Executive Education.

The Director must have the demonstrated ability and willingness to work with ease across cultures and geographies. Experience in living and/or working with global clients a plus. Overall strategic and critical thinker and persuasion skills with executive audiences.

• Maintain Wharton as a leader of innovative and financially successful programs through a proven track record of leading the development of innovative educational program solutions for learners and leaders across industries, expanding Wharton's markets, conducting market analyses, and providing learner-focused experiences, as well as suggesting improvements to programs and processes.
• Work independently and effectively to manage and deliver a high volume of programs in assigned portfolio that provides sophisticated educational solutions across industries.
• Willingness to develop an in-depth understanding of Wharton faculty areas of expertise.
• Financial acumen P&L experience. Responsible for assuring positive contribution to the profitability of the department through cost management and support of marketing/client relations teams.
• Experienced, highly skilled in written and verbal communications.
• Self-starter and proven ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively as a member of a program/project team in a fast-paced, results-driven environment. Strategic-thinking partner with demonstrated personal strengths that contribute to building a strong, dynamic and unified organization.
• Familiarity with market research, business development and strategy, and marketing channels.
• Experience utilizing learning management systems (LMS like Canvas, Coursera, etc.), Salesforce, or other CRM systems. Strong understanding of metrics and dashboards. Action-oriented, results-driven approach to a professional team.
• Ability to negotiate complex and difficult environments.
• Ability to analyze and understand international and domestic business trends and the concerns of learners, industry leaders, and executives. Be innovative in approaches to educational and management problems.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally and domestically.
• Ability and willingness to work non-traditional hours, including weekends, early mornings and late evenings as needed.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$79,500.00 - $105,000.00 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.