University of Pennsylvania · 4 hours ago
Managing Director, Penn AI
Philadelphia, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$94K/yr - $125K/yr
7+ years expThe University of Pennsylvania is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation, and they are seeking a highly skilled Managing Director to lead the execution of the Penn AI initiative. This role involves overseeing the initiative's strategic vision, managing daily operations, and engaging with stakeholders to elevate Penn's global AI leadership.
Continuing EducationEdTechEducationSTEM EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
Qualification
Required
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
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.
Company
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is an American private Ivy League Research University that excels in producing future leaders.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Pennsylvania has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2024 (3)
2023 (2)
2022 (3)
2021 (5)
2020 (6)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$81.46MKey Investors
National Science FoundationUS Department of EnergyParent Project Muscular Dystrophy
2024-08-28Grant
2023-06-26Grant· $18M
2022-09-15Grant· $55M
Leadership Team
Mark Dingfield
Executive Vice President
Angela Duckworth
Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor
Recent News
The Philadelphia Inquirer
2026-01-22
2026-01-16
The Philadelphia Inquirer
2026-01-16
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