Job Details

Clark Scholars Program Manager

Position Number: 6577685
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Clark Scholars Program Manager

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
Clark Scholars Program Manager

Job Profile Title
Manager B, Academic Affairs

Job Description Summary
The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation's Clark Scholars Program Manager supports the daily operations and strategic development of the Clark Scholars Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science. This nationally recognized program provides high-achieving, first-generation college students with financial need the opportunity to pursue an exceptional engineering education while developing leadership, service, and professional skills.
Reporting to the Director of Student Success & Advising and working closely with the Clark Faculty Director, the Program Manager will oversee a comprehensive portfolio of responsibilities, including administration, communications, event coordination, and student support. The Program Manager plays a key role in implementing and refining signature initiatives-such as the Philanthropy Challenge, Entrepreneurship Concentration, Summer Enrichment, and Cross-Cultural Service Experience-while contributing to the broader goals of the Clark Scholars Program Network (CSPN). This role is ideal for a motivated, detail-oriented, and student-centered professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys shaping transformative experiences for engineering students.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Event Coordination & Logistics (30%)

Plan, schedule, and execute a range of program events, including speaker visits, service activities, and special celebrations.
Reserve venues, manage invitations and RSVPs, coordinate event setup, and order catering and materials.
Arrange travel for students and visiting guests, including transportation and accommodations.
Process reimbursements and manage event-related purchasing.
Assist with onboarding new Scholars by organizing a robust Pre-Orientation program.
Coordinate logistics for the Cross-Cultural Service Experience, including travel planning, pre-departure briefings, and on-site support in collaboration with domestic or international partners.
Coordinate logistics and scheduling for activities related to the Clark Scholars Philanthropy Challenge, including speaker events, site visits, and student-led grantmaking activities in collaboration with internal and external partners.

Student Engagement & Support (20%)

Serve as a point of contact and resource for Clark Scholars, especially around program logistics, travel, and community-building activities. Work closely with advisors in the Office of Academic Services to escalate academic and medical issues.
Explore community-building strategies and initiatives, such as a Cultural Passport and Cohort Leadership model.
Connect students with resources in support of the Engineering Entrepreneurship concentration

Administrative & Program Support (20%)

Provide day-to-day administrative support to ensure smooth program operations.
Maintain accurate student records, contact lists, and databases.
Administer summer course and internship funding requests and provide logistical support to students engaging in enrichment experiences. This may include tracking stipend distributions and coordinating logistics for summer internships or other enrichment activities that meet program goals (e.g., undergraduate research).
Track program expenses and reconcile expenditures in compliance with University policies.

Communications & Marketing (10%)

Develop and distribute program announcements, newsletters, and promotional materials.
Maintain and grow program visibility through social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn) and collaboration platforms (Slack).
Update the Clark Scholars website as needed.
Partner with Penn Engineering Marketing and Communications and other offices to promote the program and its students.

Data Management & Reporting (10%)

Collect, organize, and archive data related to academic year attendance, participation, event evaluations, and program costs.
Maintain records of student summer activities (coursework, internships, and research) and ensure associated stipend and travel support are documented accurately.
Assist the Faculty Director in compiling reports for internal stakeholders and the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.

Partnerships & Liaising (5%)

Serve as liaison to the national Clark Scholars Program Network (CSPN), participating in virtual and in-person gatherings, providing updates, and connecting with other schools regarding best practices. Ensure robust student participation in CSPN events.
Support long-term relationship-building with community partners related to cross-cultural service initiatives, ensuring continuity between student cohorts.
Collaborate with the Faculty Director on program innovation.

Other Duties As Assigned (5%)

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of two to three years of relevant administrative, student affairs, student life, or program management experience-or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated commitment to working with students from a range of backgrounds, including first-generation and/or limited-income students, is strongly preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills with keen attention to detail.
Experience managing events, budgets, and purchasing procedures in an academic or nonprofit setting.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Slack, and familiarity with social media tools like LinkedIn and Instagram. WordPress experience is preferred.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a cross-functional team.
Flexibility to occasionally work evenings or weekends for special events.
Cover letter strongly encouraged.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range
$57,500.00 - $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, 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 protected under 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

Equal Employment 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 protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Levine-Hall/Clark-Scholars-Program-Manager_JR00112213