Senior Executive Director; Residential and Hospitality Services
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 Executive Director; Residential and Hospitality Services
Job Profile Title
Director E, Business and Finance
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Vice President of Business Services (BSD), the Senior Executive Director of Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) is accountable for Penn's Residential, Dining, Conference, Hospitality, and Off Campus Services - to include its strategy, business and fiscal management, facilities, and operations. The Senior Executive Director provides leadership and policy direction for RHS and is responsible for an operating budget of more than $60mm.
RHS is one of 17 departments reporting to the Vice President of Business Services (BSD). Consistent with the BSD mission, the RHS underlying philosophy is to provide high quality services in a fiscally responsible manner. RHS is a group of 51 dedicated and innovative staff that supports approximately 6,000 undergraduate students residing in the University's 13 College Houses and the Off-Campus Services education/referral program. RHS also encompasses 135 Penn Dining employees managed by Bon Appetit and represented by AFSCME Local 54.
The Senior Executive Director will work to promote a flexible and responsive department that supports students, departmental staff, and members of the University community and works in close collaboration with Penn College Houses and Academic Services (CHAS), Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) and other University partners.
Job Description
Accountability For:
On-campus student Residential Services operations including occupancy management, room assignments, student billing, and events such as move-in/move-out.
Daily building operations oversight working with partners in FRES and CHAS, including maintaining security and after hours on-call support (24/7/365).
University Dining operations including meal plan program, campus catering, and retail services currently operated by a third-party provider.
Hospitality and Conference Services operations including the University Club. Summer conference programming hosting over 4,000 guests per summer.
The Office of Off-Campus Living Services.
Development and management of annual budgets and capital plans.
Job Duties:
Lead RHS team (direct supervision of 5 professional staff) to advance Penn's strategic vision in support of the Penn community, effectively and efficiently manage operations, and maintain financial stability.
Closely collaborate with CHAS to understand and support the needs of students living in the College House system. Also collaborate with the Provost's Office, VPUL, Student Intervention Services, University resource and cultural offices and other offices to support residential life at Penn.
Strategically evaluate building, facilities, amenities, and service levels and develop and execute plans to build, renovate and improve housing and dining assets.
Work closely with FRES, OBMA and DOF to fund and execute comprehensive facilities management and capital plans. Partner with OGC, Risk Management and Procurement on policies, procedures, and contract management.
Develop, monitor, and recommend process improvements that align with the University's strategic vision while seeking ways to engage the campus community and improve services across all units.
Manage and track departmental costs and revenues achieving short term and long-term goals with a focus on stewardship and accountability for each unit.
Ensure business, financial and human resource operations for RHS are performed in accordance with University policies and procedures.
Recruit, retain and engage leaders and staff who can independently manage, and competently serve, in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. Establish job standards for staff and effectively evaluate staff.
Identify and assess opportunities for program and technological innovation in RHS that are aligned with BSD and University goals and constituents needs.
Qualifications
Master's Degree in higher education, or related field, and a minimum of 10 years of significant administrative/management experience leading hospitality, dining, or residential teams in a higher education setting is required.
The following skills or competencies are required:
Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning skills with the ability to conduct short-range and long-range project planning studies.
Ability to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
Ability to organize complex work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives, and exercise independent judgment.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions in a timely manner.
Demonstrated organizational, managerial, budgetary, and financial management skills.
Ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate data with a track record of effectively identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing innovative and effective solutions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated experience leading and supervising a diverse group of professional, support and student employees.
Ability to establish and maintain a collaborative rapport with university faculty and staff, students, and the generalpublic.
Demonstrated ability to build strategic relations with colleagues, and coworkers, constituents.
Exhibits a high level of professionalism, executive ability, and a keen understanding of protocol.
About the Division of Business Services
The Business Service Division (BSD) supports the individual and collective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable, customer-friendly campus environment through the provision of mission-critical services and essential operations. BSD's mission is to provide high-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner. Currently, the Division is focused on three major initiatives:
Revenue growth/retention through improved marketing efforts, extended services, and development of new distribution channels.
Driving productivity for the Division and its customers through the better use of technology.
Enhancing service offerings through upgrades and expansions of facilities.
$110,850.00 - $220,000.00 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.
