"Executive Assistant, Leonard Davis Institute of Economics"

Executive Assistant, Leonard Davis Institute of Economics

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

Executive Assistant, Leonard Davis Institute of Economics

Job Profile Title

Executive Assistant B

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

The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn LDI) is a mission-driven organization, dedicated to improving health and health care by catalyzing collaborative, multidisciplinary research that influences policy and practice. Penn LDI is powered by a team of dedicated staff committed to creating impact through better health policy and health care, and we are currently looking for a new Executive Assistant B to join our team. The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted advisor and critical operations partner to the Executive Director, providing high-level, proactive administrative and strategic support to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Institute's leadership and mission.

Job Description

Responsibilities include managing complex, dynamic calendars with a high volume of scheduling requests from internal and external stakeholders, coordinating across Penn schools, health systems, and national partners. This position will anticipate scheduling needs, diplomatically resolve conflicts, and communicate final schedules with accuracy and professionalism.

The Executive Assistant will gather, synthesize, and prepare briefing materials for high-level meetings, conferences, speeches, and appointments; draft and edit presentation decks and communications; and coordinate all logistics for Executive Director travel and reimbursement. This position also supports governance functions by planning, organizing, and executing board meetings, governing board meetings and high-profile events, ensuring seamless delivery and follow-through.

This role will design, implement, and maintain critical office operations and infrastructure, including protocols, electronic and physical file systems, institutional recordkeeping, and internal knowledge management. Responsibilities also include managing archival materials; maintaining and optimizing key communications infrastructure such as email listservs and stakeholder databases; and overseeing the development and upkeep of office operations and policy manuals.

The Executive Assistant represents the Executive Director and Penn LDI to senior University leadership, board members, funders, and leading national figures in health policy. This includes handling high-level inquiries and interactions with discretion and diplomacy, managing sensitive and confidential matters, and serving as a key point of contact for internal and external audiences.

This position will also draft, manage, and coordinate executive-level communications, including emails, letters, memos, and reports, often on behalf of or in consultation with the Executive Director. The Executive Assistant must be able to exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities with poise, and resolve issues with discretion, accuracy, and efficiency.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree and 5 to 7 years of relevant experience-or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience-is required. Ten or more years of experience supporting senior leadership or C-suite executives is strongly preferred. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 (particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams) is required. Prior experience managing high-stakes scheduling, logistics, and communications at the executive level is essential.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate a fast-paced environment with professionalism and discretion. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, independent problem-solving ability, and a proactive, collaborative mindset are critical for success in this role.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$76,000.00 - $80,000.00 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.