Information Technology Director, Wharton Computing and Instructional Technology

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.

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.

Wharton Computing Administrative Strategic Partnership Team: The Strategic Partnership team strengthens relationships to align technology with organizational goals. We collaborate with internal and external partners to understand needs, provide thought leadership, and drive effective technology development and use-empowering stakeholders to achieve their objectives and support the School's mission.

IT Director Role: This role serves as the strategic partner to Wharton administrative units, including the MBA Division, Wharton Finance & Administration, Wharton Human Resources, and others as assigned. This individual will advocate for stakeholder needs, ensuring technology aligns with their goals. They will lead planning and execution of technology initiatives that support departmental, School, and University objectives. Strong communication, strategic planning, negotiation, conflict resolution, time management, project management, and relationship-building skills are essential.

Current projects within the administrative units in which this person will be deeply involved include the re-platforming of a critical application for MBA Career Management (MAP) and its evolution into WEC (Wharton Experience Coordinator), representing Wharton Computing on the Slate Graduate Admissions implementation team.

This role will also involve analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement, leading change management efforts, and ensuring the smooth adoption of new technologies and workflows that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Primary responsibilities of this role are:

• Strategic Business Relationship Management: Maintain a high degree of visibility within assigned departments, participate in and contribute to staff meetings as appropriate. Cultivate strong relationships with departmental leaders and stakeholders to ensure technology solutions effectively support their business goals. Develop a deep understanding of business processes and staff roles within the administrative units.
• Technology Strategy, Design, and Consulting: Advise on technology options, risks, costs vs. benefits, and impacts on products, services, and business processes. Understand, map, and document key business processes needed to achieve successful business results and technology solutions; identify opportunities to improve processes through the effective use of technology. Analyze technology trends to determine the impact on the achievement of School goals. Lead and participate in cross-departmental projects to ensure seamless delivery and IT integration. Manage vendor relationships as appropriate. Oversee the resolution of escalated stakeholders' technology issues.
• Strategic Planning: Participate in short- and long-term strategic planning sessions with departments and understand and anticipate the direction of the department. Identify opportunities and develop recommendations to support their desired future state.
• Advocacy: Advocate for the technological needs of assigned departments, including the MBA Division, Wharton F&A, and Wharton HR, guiding strategic technology decisions and leading cross-departmental initiatives to align with organizational, School, and University objectives. Act as the voice of Wharton Computing within administrative departments, representing technology vision and promoting technology services and resources. Act as the voice of the customer within Wharton Computing, representing department strategies, priorities, and issues. Learn, document, and promote business knowledge of technology processes, roles, and procedures to ensure the best possible outcomes. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and a minimum of five to seven years of experience in an IT organization, preferably in higher education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required Qualifications: Experience in strategic planning, business development, management, and client engagement. Passion for strong service commitment and delivery. Demonstrated leadership, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and presentation skills. Proven problem-solving, mediation, and negotiation skills. Strong overall technology foundation and understanding of the evolving landscape. Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with and understanding of ITIL and/or ITSM. Prior experience in Higher Education strongly preferred. Applicants must submit a cover letter.