About Opportunity LabThe Opportunity Lab conducts academically rigorous and practically relevant research that addresses barriers to economic mobility, uncovering the challenges and opportunities that individuals and communities often face at critical junctures. Informed by this research, we offer a variety of experiential and co-curricular learning opportunities and host industry-specific convenings. We advance Wharton's best-in-class education of current and future leaders, equipping them with the critical tools, skills, and perspectives needed to navigate a world in which barriers to economic mobility are increasingly material.

‍Job Description‍

‍The Senior Program Manager is a full-time role within the Wharton Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative ("Wharton Impact"), with a primary focus on Opportunity Lab.The Senior Program Manager is responsible for Opportunity Lab programs, including program management, student management, liaising with program partners; working with Opportunity Lab Faculty Lead Damon Phillips on planning and strategy for the Lab. Beyond Opportunity Lab specifically, the Senior Program Manager will support other programs across Wharton Impact, as time allows, and collaborate with other colleagues within Wharton Impact, across the school and university, and the Philadelphia community. This individual will report to Wharton Impact's Director of Student Programs, with a dotted line reporting to the Opportunity Lab Faculty Lead, Damon Phillips.

‍This includes the current programs that are a part of Opportunity Lab:‍

• The primary focus of the Senior Program Manager's role is leading the program management of Wharton WORKS. This includes support of in-prison teaching, teaching for returning citizens, workforce and entrepreneurship mentoring, development of assistance for formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs, education of employers, and the overall satisfaction of each WORKS stakeholder (as measured by participants' evaluations, employment, and recidivism rates, and the success of businesses and non-profits started by formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs). The Senior Program Manager will work closely with Civic House, a key partner in this work at the University, as well as Resilience Education, and the PA Department of Corrections and related organizations like Ardella's House. The Senior Program Manager will need to be an experienced and confident leader of this program, including onsite management of students at correctional facilities, who can manage dynamic situations to keep programming on track.
  
• Support Wharton's role as curriculum partner for the Champions for Financial Legacy program: supporting training events for participating schools, executing program survey and analysis of survey results.
  
• Supporting other programs with economic opportunity elements across Wharton Impact's programs; for example, supporting relevant project work in the Wharton Impact and Sustainability Consulting program, or the Penn Medicine- Wharton Fund for Health and Wharton Impact Venture Associates program, as time allows.
  

‍Additional Duties and Responsibilities:‍

• Lead and manage the Wharton WORKS program, including student engagement, logistics, data, and outcomes.
  
• Apply Opportunity Lab insights to strengthen Wharton Impact programs and advise colleagues on best practices.
  
• Partner with Faculty Lead Damon Phillips on strategy, priorities, and new initiatives.
  
• Coordinate the Champions for Financial Legacy Program, including annual training and survey.
  
• Direct Opportunity Lab student fellows and workers, primarily MBA and Executive MBA students
  
• Participate in initiative-wide events and perform other duties as assigned.
  

‍Required Qualifications:‍

• Minimum of 5 years of project and/or program management experience, preferably in a higher-education setting, with a focus on graduate-level programs and community engagement. Proven ability to work effectively across diverse stakeholders and complex environments.
  
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as: business, public policy, public administration, sociology, or human services, or project/program management. A relevant Master's degree (MSW, LSCW, etc) or equivalent professional experience is preferred.
  
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. Ability to represent Wharton, Opportunity Lab and our programs with professionalism across audiences.
  
• Excellent leadership and management skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
  
• Experience in managing complex programs and initiatives, with a track record of increasing responsibility in an organization. Ability to manage resources effectively.
  
• Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and strong project management skills.
  
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound, ethical judgment.
  
• Experience in pushing projects/initiatives forward.
  
• Eagerness to work with individuals and communities impacted by the criminal justice system, including onsite at criminal justice facilities.
  
• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
  
• Willingness/ability to travel around the Philadelphia area (flexibility on public transit, ride share programs like Lyft, or personal vehicle.)
  

‍Preferred Qualifications‍

• Demonstrated success in working with individuals and communities impacted by the criminal justice system, including onsite at criminal justice facilities.
  
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing learning programs that achieve measurable learning outcomes.
  
• Willingness to travel outside the Philadelphia area occasionally for conferences and events.
  
• Experience working closely with and building rapport with graduate students.
  

Other Info

• ‍Job Location - City, State: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania‍
• Salary Range: $80,000 to $85,000 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.‍
• Funding: This position is contingent upon gift/restricted funding.‍
• Work Schedule/Modality: This position is in-person in Philadelphia, PA, with some flexibility for hybrid work. This is a full-time role. During the academic year, events will take place in evening hours, including off-site events.
• ‍Department / School: Wharton School
• ‍Pay Range $66,000.00 - $85,000.00 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.