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Director of Domestic Policy Programs (Penn Washington Franklin Initiative)

University of Pennsylvania

Details

Posted:

May 23, 2025

Location:

Washington, D.C.

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Director of Domestic Policy Programs (Penn Washington Franklin Initiative)

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 Domestic Policy Programs (Penn Washington Franklin Initiative)

Job Profile Title
Director C, Academic Affairs

Job Description Summary
Penn Washington is an academic initiative that expresses the education, research, and service mission of the University of Pennsylvania. We are Penn's physical and programmatic home in our nation's capital, bringing together experts, senior scholars, faculty, and the Penn academic community to contribute to our priorities to strengthen ties between federal and global policymakers and the Penn academic community, promote opportunities for Penn scholarship to impact policy, expand DC-focused educational and academic programs, and reinforce the essential contributions that Penn can make to the structure and function of democracy and global affairs.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Domestic Policy Programs will play a critical role in the initiative's work to address key U.S. domestic policy issues. You will help create and manage programs that promote dialogue and research and produce actionable insights and innovative solutions, bridging theory and practice through collaboration with academics, policymakers and community leaders.

Through this effort, the initiative seeks to enhance the effectiveness of policy interventions and promote sustainable, equitable solutions for the nation.

In this role, you will draw on your own policy, managerial, and advocacy expertise and have primary responsibility for managing Program Managers and Research and Program Fellows as they design, implement, and manage research and policy work rooted in Penn Washington's research themes. You will also have the opportunity to show strong ownership in not only helping bring others' ideas to life but also proactively partnering with faculty and others to help generate ideas, understanding where needs exist, and taking action to shape the programs that result.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Manage theme-based program staff; effectively manage the implementation of the theme-based program work for domestic policy at Penn Washington, including workshops, colloquia, and other types of convenings; supervise Program Managers and the Program Fellows. Represent Penn Washington and the programs under your management internally and externally.
Design and bring to completion well-written, finished written and other outputs (including reports, policy briefs, whitepapers, factsheets, briefing memos, etc.) related to Penn Washington themes and other programs and manage the various processes of output prioritization, optimization, and production by staff, visiting fellows, visiting scholars, affiliated faculty, etc. Support donor proposal development, stewardship, and reporting.
Work closely with Penn faculty to help leverage their research, including by identifying connections and opportunities to engage with policymakers on related pressing domestic policy issues and otherwise shape domestic policy.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required; a Master's degree, terminal research degree (e.g., JD or MD) or PhD or more, and 7-10 years of experience are preferred. Commitment to domestic policy influence.
Direct experience in domestic policy is strongly preferred.
Proven track record of ownership in work - proactive vs. reactive engagement, understanding and identifying needs, but taking action to develop programs and/or solutions to take forward.
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining the quality of outputs, adherence to deadlines, and collegiality.
Outstanding project management skills with the ability to deliver high-quality results on time; advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills, and the ability to multitask.
Strong networking and convening skills. Excellence in effective research, innovation planning, and linking academic research with global policy.
Open, strong communicator. Demonstrated project and staff management experience implementing projects from design to publication in coordination with colleagues and allies.
The ability to manage multiple and simultaneous projects with professionalism. Capacity to provide leadership in aligning research and written material to advance Penn Washington's mission.
Experience working with diverse and global communities. Familiarity with academic institutions. Ability to work independently and to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the University and outside of Penn.

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
Washington, District of Columbia

Department / School
Penn Global

Pay Range
$93,500.00 - $161,000.00 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/101-Constitution-Avenue-NW/Director-of-Domestic-Policy-Programs--Penn-Washington-Franklin-Initiative-_JR00106597

Internal Number: 6247280

About University of Pennsylvania

Penn has a long and proud tradition of intellectual rigor and pursuit of innovative knowledge, begun by Benjamin Franklin in 1740. That tradition lives today through the creativity, entrepreneurship, and engagement of our faculty, students, and staff. Academic life at Penn is unparalleled, with an undergraduate student body of 10,000 from every U.S. state and around the world. The entering class of 2015 is the most talented and diverse in Penn's history. Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the country, Penn welcomes an additional 10,000 students to our top-ranked graduate and professional schools.

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Director of Domestic Policy Programs (Penn Washington Franklin Initiative)

University of Pennsylvania

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