Senior Business Administrator, Wharton Finance Department

Job Description Summary

The Senior Business Administrator is a dual-reporting role dedicated to supporting the Finance Department and advancing its academic and operational mission. Serving the second largest academic department within the School, this position provides leadership and oversight of the department's financial and operational functions in service of faculty, students, and staff.

Job Description

The role reports jointly to the Senior Director, Financial Strategy and Controller within Finance & Administration and to the Finance Department Chair. The Senior Business Administrator is responsible for the end-to-end management of departmental financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance, and for maintaining effective systems that support transparency, accountability, and sound financial stewardship to enable the department's teaching, research, and academic priorities. In addition, the Senior Business Administrator provides management oversight for the department's financial and front desk staff and partners closely with the Finance Department Chair and School colleagues on financial and operational matters affecting faculty, doctoral students, staff, and visitors.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage all expense reporting, procurement systems, and reimbursement processes with attention to compliance and timely execution
• Lead the department's budgeting and forecasting processes with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and proactive planning
• Oversee payroll, faculty funding allocations, and salary distributions
• Day-to-day management of the department's financial, course, and front desk staff, and ensure efficient operational execution
• Primary liaison with school partners related to departmental office operations
• Collaborate with Chair's office on financial and operational issues for faculty, doctoral students, staff and visitors.
• Ensure effective vendor management and procurement practices
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in accounting, business administration, or a related field. Candidates should have a minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, or operational administration or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible financial management experience strongly preferred.
• The ideal candidate brings strong financial skills, with familiarity in using Penn financial systems or university-based financial platforms.
• This role requires the capability to manage multiple projects and workstreams independently - from initial design through successful implementation - while balancing department priorities and operational details.
• A self-starter with a strong desire to learn and engage across diverse business functions will thrive in this environment.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to see the big picture while maintaining a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as this position involves frequent collaboration with faculty, staff, and University partners across various levels.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$76,000.00 - $93,000.00 Annual Rate