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

Assistant Director of Administration, James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies

Job Profile Title

Coordinator B

Job Description Summary

This leadership position is the link that connects all aspects of the James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies’ activities and is central in providing stewardship and guidance for all aspects of the Center’s programs. The Assistant Director of Administration is responsible for working with the faculty director of the Kim Center, Assistant Director of Academics, and the Assistant Director Outreach and Internship to navigate, lead, plan, manage, support, and implement the Kim Program’s effort to advance research and teaching on Korea and support relevant programming at Penn. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing all management and supervision of all administration, implementation, and general oversight of the activities of the Kim Program. The position pulls together academic plans, outreach/internship, and academics into one cohesive program for the center.

Job Description

Korean Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the rich and dynamic past and present of Korea. As Korea’s presence in world affairs continues to shift and grow, the James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies at the University of Pennsylvania is committed to supporting the study of Korea at Penn and in the community.

Job Description:

This position will manage spending of all Kim Program accounts, including grant and endowment funds. This includes responsibility for developing, budgeting, managing and reconciling the weekly, monthly, and annual budget for the center. The range of activities, some of which include evening work, include overseeing the administrative planning and arrangements for guest lectures, faculty talks and extracurricular interaction with students, alumni visits, alumni receptions in cities around the US and globally, support internship placement and student socials.

The Assistant Director is responsible for all HR activities in the center including hiring, training, and supervising Kim Program student workers, and undergraduate fellows. They will provide all administrative support to onboard and guidance to new personnel including post-docs, visiting scholars, students, fellows, visiting lecturers, visiting faculty. They work closely with ISSS to oversee all visa requirements for visitors and students and adhere to all ISSS approved protocol for requesting and processes visas.

Hire, supervise and manage part-time staff.

Manage the administrative requirements of the annual competitions with offices within Penn and outside agencies.

Together with Center Leadership, manage all administrative tasks associated with Outreach travel and planning internships.

Collaborate with the Director and Executive Committee on new initiatives and long-range planning. Provide administrative guidance for the Kim Program’s competitive grant programs for faculty research, conference travel, student fellowships/scholarships, and postdoctoral fellowships.

Develop and pursue publicity, web, and social media strategies for the Kim Program. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other entities with East Asian studies activities at Penn.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 3 years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Experience providing administrative support in an academic environment is strongly preferred. An ideal candidate must possess strong organizational skills, strong written and oral communications skills, and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. Must have a professional demeanor with the ability to provide excellent customer service to a diverse audience. Must be a team player and have excellent collaboration skills.

An ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of scholarly resources across the University that are available for both students and department faculty. Financial experience, event planning experience, and an understanding of academic and curriculum planning are preferred. Familiarity with Penn’s financial application strongly encouraged.

Financial budgeting management skills are required. Grant writing skills preferred but not required.

Candidates must possess a high level of problem-solving skills, negotiation skills, attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills. Must be able to build strong positive relationships with staff, faculty, and speakers.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $64,000.00 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.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on 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.