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
Executive Director, Talent
Job Profile Title
Executive Director B, Human ResourcesThe University of Pennsylvania is seeking an Executive Director of Talent to provide strategic and operational leadership for the university’s end-to-end talent ecosystem, including Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Employee Engagement (including Employee Resource Groups), and Recognition Programs. Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources, this role is responsible for designing and delivering a cohesive, future‑ready talent strategy that supports the university’s mission, academic excellence, and long‑term workforce needs. The Executive Director of Talent will lead the evolution of talent practices as the institution scales, workforce expectations change, and technology becomes a more central enabler of talent management. The Executive Director will join the Division of Human Resources Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and work closely with school and center HR professionals to create and define comprehensive talent strategies.
Aboutthe Role
This role reportsto the Vice President of Human Resourcesandcollaborates withUniversityHR leadership to alignHR strategy with institutional goalsThis role requires a leader who can balance strategic vision with operational execution, navigate the complexity of higher education, and build modern, inclusive talent practices that serve faculty, staff, and leaders across the institutionThe successful Executive Director of Talent will be:
Future oriented and systems minded
Comfortable balancing strategy and execution
Credible with senior leaders, faculty, and staff
Skilled at influencing withoutoverrelianceon hierarchy
Data informedandvalues driven
Passionate about building inclusive, high impact talent systems
Key Responsibilities
Talent Strategy & Integration
Develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated talent strategy aligned with the university’s strategic plan, academic priorities, and workforce needs
Ensure alignment across Talent Acquisition,TalentDevelopment, Engagement, and Recognition programs
Evaluate current talent acquisition practices across Penn and develop a comprehensive talent acquisition approach
Serve as a strategic advisor to the VP of HR, senior leaders, and academic partners on talent trends, risks, and opportunities
Monitor external trends in higher education, labor markets, and talent technology to informfuture‑statedesign
Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning
Drivethe evolution of talent acquisition strategies to support staff hiring in a competitive and evolving labor market
Partner with academic and administrative leaders to align hiring strategies with workforce planning, enrollmentand researchtrends, and institutional growth
Advance inclusive hiring practices andequitablecandidate experiences
Leverage data and technology to improve recruitment effectiveness, time to fill, and quality of hire
Learning, Development & Capability Building
Design and oversee learning and development strategies that support:
Leadership development at all levels
Professional growth for staff
Emerging skill needs driven by technology, pedagogy, and operational change
Strengthen onboardingand early-career development experiencesthrough a consistent and comprehensive orientationonboardingprogram
Partner with academic leaders to align staff and leadership development with the university’s educational mission
Engagement & Culture
Lead institutionalengagementinitiatives in partnership with HR colleagues, academic leaders, and campus stakeholders
Oversee Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and measurable impact
Supportculture‑buildinginitiatives that foster belonging, engagement, and collaboration across faculty and staff populations
Partner with communications and leadership to reinforce inclusive values through talent practices and messaging
Recognition & Employee Experience
Design and manage recognition programs that reinforce desired behaviors, values, and contributions
Ensure recognition approaches areequitable, meaningful, and aligned with institutional culture
Continuously assess and improve elements of the employee experience connected to attraction, development, and retention
Qualifications
Required
Master’s Degree and Over 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experienceisrequired
Possess strong business acumen and proven ability to stay with evolving HR trends,legislationand best practices
Demonstrated successleadingmultiple talent functions (e.g., talent acquisition, learning, engagement)
Strong knowledge of all functional areas of Human Resources,talentacquisitionand talent development
Expertiseanddemonstratedexperienceindeveloping and driving strategy across a large organization
Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills
Proficiencyin data-informed decision-making
Preferred
Master’s degree in a related field
Familiarity with Workday
10+ years of HR experience, including in higher education or unionized settings
HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR)
Experience implementing or modernizing talent technology platforms
Comfortoperatingin environments with evolving structure, priorities, and expectations
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Human Resources
Pay Range
$190,000.00 - $260,000.00 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.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law
Special Requirements
Background checks may be 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.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
