The Senior Associate Athletic Director is responsible for overseeing the Pottruck Center for Student-Athlete Success, the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA), and mental health initiatives within Penn’s Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA). This role includes setting the vision and plan for all academic support services, assigning sports/schools to staff, serving as the academic services contact for select sports, and acting as the primary point of contact fo... more details
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
Senior Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development
Job Profile Title
Associate Director, Athletics Senior
Job Description Summary
The Senior Associate Athletic Director is responsible for overseeing the Pottruck Center for Student-Athlete Success, the Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA), and mental health initiatives within Penn’s Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA). This role includes setting the vision and plan for all academic support services, assigning sports/schools to staff, serving as the academic services contact for select sports, and acting as the primary point of contact for all coaches, staff, faculty, and academic advisors. The position also entails managing and supervising head coaches and staff, overseeing coaching contracts, team management, budgets, schedules, and fundraising efforts, and setting performance expectations. In addition, the Senior Associate Athletic Director acts as the primary liaison to Penn Career Services, setting vision and goals for all life skills and professional development, and managing the relationship with Penn Champions Club around the alumni mentoring program for all 33 sports. This role collaborates closely with a DEIB professional within DRIA to support the Quaker Forward Committee's efforts and assists in designing and implementing a plan for DEIB integration into PAWLA and CSAS. The Senior Associate Athletic Director is responsible for collaborating with relevant staff in the development and execution of PAWLA programming, working with DRIA and Wharton staff to create a curriculum, designing ventures, and developing a common language for DRIA student-athletes, coaches, and staff. They also serve as the strategic liaison to the Wharton School of Business/McNulty Leadership Program and act as the primary liaison to Penn Champions Club on fundraising efforts, overseeing PAWLA staff and budget. Management responsibilities include supervising four FTE administrative staff members and five head coaches, conducting performance reviews, making hiring and merit decisions, and overseeing the submission, oversight, and management of CSAS, PAWLA, mental health, and intercollegiate program budgets. As part of supervising the mental health professional, the Senior Associate Athletic Director creates a funding plan for potential expansion of staff to support mental health needs.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Academic Services - The Senior Associate Athletic Director sets the vision and plan for all academic support services, assigns sports/schools to staff, and serves as the academic services contact for select sports. They set goals for and monitor APR, GSR, individual meetings, and individual school meetings. This role acts as the primary point of contact for all coaches, staff, faculty, and academic advisors. Additionally, the Senior Associate Athletic Director is responsible for re-envisioning and enhancement of DRIA’s tutoring program and the creation and stewardship of a Faculty Committee in partnership with the Faculty Athletic Representative to advance the student experience for student-athletes.
Management and Sport Administration - The Senior Associate Athletic Director supervises four FTE administrative staff members (including a mental health professional) and five head coaches, overseeing all performance reviews, hiring, and merit decisions. They manage the submission, oversight, and administration of budgets for CSAS, PAWLA, mental health, and intercollegiate programs. In their capacity as the primary sport administrator for multiple varsity sports, the Senior Associate Athletic Director manages and supervises head coaches and staff, oversees coaching contracts, team management, budgets, schedules, fundraising efforts, and sets performance expectations for staff. This comprehensive management and sport administration role ensures the smooth operation and success of Penn Athletics programs.
Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA) - The Senior Associate Athletic Director collaborates with relevant staff in the development and execution of PAWLA programming. They work with DRIA and Wharton staff to create a curriculum, design ventures, and develop a common language for DRIA student-athletes, coaches, and staff. This role also serves as the strategic liaison to the Wharton School of Business/McNulty Leadership Program and acts as the primary liaison to Penn Champions Club on fundraising efforts.
Professional Development - The Senior Associate Athletic Director acts as the primary liaison to Penn Career Services, sets vision and goals for all life skills and professional development, and manages the relationship with Penn Champions Club around the alumni mentoring program for all 33 sports.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (DEIB) - The Senior Associate Athletic Director collaborates closely with a DEIB professional within DRIA to support the Quaker Forward Committee's efforts. They assist in designing and implementing a plan for DEIB integration into PAWLA and CSAS.
Qualifications
A Master’s Degree or more, and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Previous supervisory experience required.
Excellent oral and written communications skills.
Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
Application Requirement
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Division of Recreation & Intercollegiate Athletics
Pay Range
$110,850.00 - $120,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check 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.
?
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
