Managing Director, Penn AI

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

Managing Director, Penn AI

Job Profile Title

Director C, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration

Job Description Summary

Penn AI is a university-wide initiative designed to transform how artificial intelligence is integrated into every corner of campus life — from groundbreaking research to classroom innovation and community engagement. As a cornerstone of Penn’s strategic vision, In Principle and Practice, Penn AI is poised to confront society’s most urgent challenges through bold, transformative AI-driven research, education, and outreach.

The Council provides strategic leadership and oversight of the initiative, fosters collaboration across all twelve Penn schools, and drives programs that elevate Penn’s global AI leadership.
The University of Pennsylvania is seeking a highly skilled Managing Director to lead the execution of PennAI’s strategic vision and ensure operational excellence across this large-scale, high-profile, and highly complex initiative. Reporting to the Co-Chairs of the Penn AI Council, the Managing Director will work in close partnership with Council members, who serve as the strategic leaders of the initiative, as well as with senior faculty, university leadership, and external partners. The Managing Director is responsible for translating the Council’s strategic direction into action and managing the initiative’s daily operations, long-term planning, and stakeholder engagement.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the trajectory of a major interdisciplinary research and education initiative that spans Penn’s twelve schools. The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with experience managing large, multi-stakeholder initiatives within complex institutions and is comfortable operating at the intersection of academia, philanthropy, and innovation.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Leadership:

• Oversee execution of a high-profile university initiative, translating Council-defined strategic goals into actionable programs and infrastructure.
• Serve as the chief administrative officer of PennAI, providing cross-functional oversight of finance, operations, HR, and external engagement.
• Serve as a trusted partner to the Penn AI Council and its Co-Chairs, facilitating governance and enabling strategic decision-making across the initiative.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advancement:

• Facilitate relationships between the Council and high-profile alumni, donors, corporate partners, and institutional stakeholders.
• Partner with Penn’s central development office to support fundraising efforts, major gift cultivation, and donor stewardship.
• Represent PennAI in internal and external forums; prepare high-level briefings and presentations for senior leadership and advisory groups.

Program Design & Oversight:

• Oversee signature programs and initiatives that advance Penn’s AI mission in research, education, and societal impact.
• Guide the planning and execution of major events, including symposia, public lectures, workshops, and academic convenings.
• Ensure coordination and alignment with academic and administrative units across the university’s decentralized environment.

Communications & Visibility:

• Supervise research communications staff to ensure consistent, high-impact messaging about PennAI.
• Oversee all outward-facing communication strategies, including press releases, reports, web and social content, and thought leadership.
• Ensure that the Penn AI website continuously evolves and effectively reflects the initiative’s impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and 7-10 years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience; Master’s or PhD in a relevant field (e.g., AI, data science, higher education leadership) strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of artificial intelligence and its research, educational, and societal dimensions; while deep technical expertise is not required, the ability to fluently engage with experts and translate between technical and non-technical audiences is preferred.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, strategy, or academic administration; preferably at a research university, foundation, or nonprofit.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets involving cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with experience building and managing teams.
• Sophisticated verbal and written communication skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders and donors.

Application Requirement

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed. 

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost's Center

Pay Range

$93,500.00 - $125,000.00 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay