Director of the Moelis Advance Access Program, Graduate Division, MBA Admissions
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
Director of the Moelis Advance Access Program, Graduate Division, MBA Admissions
Job Profile Title
Associate Director E, Student Services, Admissions
Job Description Summary
Founded in 1881 as the world's first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year, 13,000 professionals worldwide advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education's individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a diverse staff population representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
Reporting to the Director of Evaluation and Selection, the Director of the Moelis Advance Access Program is responsible for the strategic vision, oversight, and execution of the Advance Access Programs in the Office of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School. This role is responsible for over 1,000 yearly applications, 400 deferred enrollment students, and upwards of 100 matriculated students per year.
Management of the Moelis Program includes budget oversight of more than $500,000 in operational expenditures to be spent across marketing, recruitment, evaluation, selection, and yield of Moelis classes. The role is responsible for the programming and management of hundreds of students on deferment and is tasked with creating community for them while living and working globally. In service to this goal this role manages two Penn GSE Graduate Assistants.
The core responsibilities of the Director of the Moelis Advance Access Program are recruitment and building talent pipelines. College aged talent pipeline building benefits the broader FT MBA Admissions Office and therefore this role also includes the ownership of the recruitment strategy for the Office of MBA Admissions. This role also serves as a direct secondary to the Executive Director of Admissions and will be asked to serve as proxy across key responsibilities.
The role has a particular focus on the evaluation and selection of both Moelis applicants and applicants to the broader full-time MBA program. This role also includes the management of the operations of the admissions committee, is responsible for data driven operations systems and co-chairing the selection committee. In service to this goal, this role manages two full time staff members.
This position functions as a full member of the general Wharton MBA admissions committee, which includes full commitments in the four key elements of the Wharton MBA admissions committee, including but not limited to: MBA student recruitment and group presentations to large audiences, the evaluation of application materials, participation in admissions committee and interview activities, and ongoing relationship management.
This position is an endowed position and, therefore, is contingent upon funding.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Manages a team that oversees all recruitment, marketing, evaluation, selection, financial aid allocation, yield, and ongoing constituent engagement for the Moelis Advance Access Program. The Moelis Program engages with thousands of prospective students every year through in person and virtual recruitment at college campuses, reviews the applications for 1000+ candidates each year, and supports the professional development via engagement activities of ~400 enrolled students who will matriculate to Wharton in 2-4 years.
Responsible for overall recruitment strategy for both the Moelis Advance Access Program and for the FT MBA Admission Office. This includes yearly data collection and analysis on key recruitment target populations, geographic locations, delivery mechanisms and content. Engage stakeholders across the entire office to achieve this.
In partnership with the Executive Director, run Admissions Committee including scheduling meetings, determining decision timeframe, utilization of waitlist, and assignment of committee responsibilities to admissions committee. Chair/co-chair selection committee
Ensure admissions evaluation and selection processes are assessed each cycle, and in this review recommend process or application content changes. Establish annual calendar for all application review, committee, interview, yield, financial aid, operations, and deposit periods throughout cycle.
Function as a full member of the admissions committee which includes the evaluation of application materials, participation in admissions committee, interview activities, extensive marketing, Admissions to ensure the enrollment of target class that meets or exceeds all institutional priorities.
Qualifications
A Bachelor's Degree is required, Master's Degree preferred and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Strategic thinker with excellent communication skills. An ability to work with various stakeholders including students, prospective students, senior alumni, administrators, the press and corporate representatives. Strong and inspirational team leader ready to represent Wharton to both an internal and external audience. International and domestic travel required.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Wharton School
Pay Range
$74,476.00 - $105,000.00 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.