Apply on Employer Site

Inside Higher Ed · 1 month ago

Senior Program Manager, Crime and Justice Policy Lab (CJP)

Philadelphia, PA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

$80K/yr - $120K/yr

5+ years exp

The University of Pennsylvania is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. They are seeking a Senior Program Manager to support the scale-up of Baltimore's Group Violence Reduction Strategy, providing technical support and operational problem-solving to government partners.

Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting

Responsibilities

The Senior Program Manager provides collaborative, strategic, and performance-focused guidance to senior government leaders, strengthening management routines, consistent follow-through, and execution across GVRS and related public-safety workstreams

The role advances structured implementation and scale by coordinating priority workstreams, surfacing and jointly addressing operational barriers, and aligning partners around shared goals and a clear, practical path forward

The Senior Program Manager develops briefings, tracking tools, timelines, and other materials that enhance decision-making, transparency, and accountability

The position contributes to the citywide GVRS evaluation by reinforcing reliable data routines, documentation, and shared standards for implementation fidelity, and by synthesizing insights for internal and external audiences

The role incorporates applied research practices-including field documentation, fidelity observations, hypothesis development, and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative learning-to translate research evidence into operational decisions and to institutionalize continuous-improvement and learning practices

Additional duties are performed as assigned

Qualification

Public policyAnalytical skillsChange managementProject managementPerformance managementTechnical assistanceCommunity safety initiativesInterpersonal skillsCommunication skillsOrganizational skillsProblem-solving

Required

Bachelors degree and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required

Demonstrated experience supporting senior leaders in government or complex organizations

Proven ability to drive structured execution, project discipline, and follow-through in dynamic environments

Strong analytical, writing, and synthesis skills - able to translate complex ideas into clear plans, memos, and decision support

Experience supporting reform, change management, or performance management efforts in a public-sector context

Comfort navigating political and operational environments, exercising discretion and judgment

Ability to work independently, prioritize across competing demands, and maintain momentum under tight timelines

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust and work productively with diverse stakeholders

Preferred

Master's degree in public policy, public administration, criminology, or a related field is preferred

7+ years of relevant professional experience in government, public policy, public safety, or organizational / operational roles is preferred

Experience working on violence-reduction, criminal justice reform, or community safety initiatives

Experience developing or institutionalizing performance-management or inter-agency coordination systems in a government setting

Experience providing technical assistance or advisory support to government officials or community-based organizations

Experience translating applied research into operational recommendations or continuous-improvement practices

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.