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

Associate Director, Nationally Competitive Fellowships

Job Profile Title

Associate Director B, Student Services, Advising

Job Description Summary

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) seeks a creative and organized individual with strong interpersonal skills to support Nationally Competitive Fellowship advising in a high-volume, fast-paced, dynamic office dedicated to fostering academic and intellectual development for highly motivated students. Reporting to the Director for Nationally Competitive Fellowships, the Associate Director of Nationally Competitive Fellowships will play a pivotal role in advancing the CURF mission of enhancing and promoting campus intellectual engagement by conducting outreach and providing expert guidance on major national scholarships, including (but not limited to Fulbright, Goldwater, Udall, Projects for Peace, etc.).

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Fulbright Program Coordination

• Administer the application process for Penn’s Fulbright U.S. Student application process.

• Establish a manageable workflow.

• Recruit undergraduate and graduate students and alumni/ae for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

• Conduct Fulbright workshops and information sessions.

• Mentor applicants for the Fulbright.

• Organize and manage the Campus Committee Evaluation process.

• With the CURF administrative team, manage communications regarding the Fulbright.

  Fellowship Advising

• Serve as the primary advisor for nationally competitive fellowships geared toward first and second-year students.

• Advertise fellowship opportunities to target populations.

• Conduct information sessions and workshops.

• Administer the Penn application process for nationally competitive fellowships such as the Udall, Goldwater, Projects for Peace, Gaither, and the US-UK Fulbright Commission Summer Institutes, etc.

• Orient and train faculty and staff evaluators for Fulbright, Truman, and other fellowships, manage interview and nomination processes for select fellowships, and prepare background material and reports for faculty advisory committees.

• Communicate with foundations and remain current on existing fellowship opportunities by attending and presenting at foundation workshops, trainings, and professional conferences, and identify new opportunities for Penn students.

  Assessment and Evaluation

• Establish and maintain appropriate metrics for assessing outcomes. Leverage data analytics to track and evaluate student progress, engagement, and satisfaction. Use these insights to guide decisions and enhance program effectiveness. Stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in fellowship advising to improve the student experience continuously.

• Compile an annual report collaboratively, focusing on the needs of each fellowship and establishing goals and objectives to achieve program excellence. Produce reports on student and alumni/ae engagement in fellowships.

  Operations

• Work with the CURF administrative team to oversee the internal application management system, ensuring system functionality aligns with the most up-to-date requirements of the scholarship programs. Manages CURF Graduate Fellows on draft reviews for fellowships and assists with writing Rhodes and Marshall endorsement letters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Master's degree preferred

Required:

• Experience advising students and managing content application processes/management systems in a web-based environment.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience providing feedback on student writing.

• Strong interpersonal abilities and a proven track record of collaborating effectively with faculty, staff, alumni/ae, and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrated excellence in organizational and time management skills.

• Evidence of the ability to conduct outreach to vast and broad populations.

• The candidate should understand the demands of a high-volume, fast-paced fellowships office, ideally demonstrated through professional experience.

• The candidate should have experience utilizing data-driven insights to assess and enhance the student experience continuously.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, and experience with social media.

Preferred

• Some knowledge of higher educational institutions abroad.

• Experience as a full-time staff member in higher education, especially in student services.

Application Requirement

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost Interdisciplinary Programs

Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $70,000.00 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.