Operations Coordinator, Venture Lab, Wharton School

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.

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.

Venture Lab

Venture Lab is a partnership by The Wharton School, Penn Engineering, and The Stuart Weitzman School of Design that provides a physical start here button to serve all students and alumni across the University of Pennsylvania who are interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. Housed in Tangen Hall, Venture Lab is the hub of entrepreneurship for the University of Pennsylvania.

Job Description

The Operations Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting Tangen Hall and Venture Lab Operations, and is responsible for office management & community experience, systems operations, and the support of executive functions of Tangen Hall and Venture Lab leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, with 2-3 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in operations, event planning, facilities coordination, administrative support, or similar roles.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to work effectively with students, staff, faculty, tenants, and external partners.
• Proven ability to manage and optimize complex calendars for senior leaders, including prioritizing requests and aligning scheduling with strategic priorities.
• Experience coordinating travel arrangements, preparing itineraries, and processing expense reports in compliance with university or organizational policies.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify operational gaps, streamline workflows, and implement process improvements.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment when working with senior leaders and sensitive information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, entrepreneurship centers, innovation hubs, or student-focused environments.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and supporting community engagement initiatives.
• Background in project management, process optimization, or automation tools.
• Ability to support high-visibility events, donor engagements, and cross-departmental initiatives.
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends as required for events or special projects.