Senior IT Director, Innovation & AI, Wharton Computing

Job description

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
Senior IT Director, Innovation & AI, Wharton Computing


Job Profile Title
Information Technology Director Senior


Job Description Summary
Wharton School Overview
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 both 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 from around the world 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 dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives.

To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

The Wharton School is seeking a Senior IT Director for Innovation & AI to advance the future of academic computing across teaching, research, learning, and operations.

Based in Wharton Computing’s Research & Analytics team, this role leads the IT agenda for innovation and AI, enabling school-wide impact.

The Senior Director will identify opportunities, establish governance, and drive structured experimentation to support Wharton’s mission.


Job Description

Job Responsibilities

+ Lead Wharton Computing’s approach to AI and emerging technologies in support of School priorities.

+ Establish AI governance and responsible-use guardrails for ethical, scalable adoption.

+ Design and manage structured experimentation—pilots that test, validate, and scale new technologies.

+ Share outcomes and lessons learned to build momentum and demonstrate value.

+ Partner across faculty, staff, and students to ensure efforts are aligned, supported, and sustainable.


This position works closely with the IT Technical Director for Research Programming & Advanced Technologies, ensuring initiatives are technically sound and strategically aligned.

While the role begins without direct reports, there is opportunity to build and lead a team as Wharton’s innovation and AI capacity expands.


The ideal candidate is a clear communicator, consensus builder, and visible leader—comfortable navigating complex priorities and representing Wharton Computing in University-wide initiatives and industry partnerships.


This is a high-impact leadership role within IT that enables Wharton to remain at the forefront of innovation and AI while sustaining excellence in its core services.



Qualifications

+ Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

+ Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in IT, innovation strategy, or a related field.

Demonstrated success in shaping and implementing strategic initiatives at the organizational level.

Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

Significant experience with AI strategy, governance, and/or implementation in complex organizational settings.



+ Skills: Strong leadership and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholder groups.

Excellent communication, facilitation, and collaboration abilities.

Skilled at navigating complexity, managing competing priorities, managing change, and building consensus.

Demonstrated ability to work across organizational boundaries to support innovation and institutional goals.

Proven ability to evaluate and manage relationships with technology vendors and external partners, including assessing solutions for strategic fit and cost-effectiveness.

+ Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with emerging AI technologies and their applications in academic, research, or operational settings.

Understanding of IT service frameworks (e.g., ITIL, ITSM) and strategic planning models.

Comfortable evaluating tradeoffs and risks in technical and organizational decisions.

+ Preferred Experience: Experience in higher education or similarly complex, mission-driven environments.

Comfort engaging with technology vendors, industry partners, and external collaborators.



Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


Department / School
Wharton School


Pay Range
$146,500.00 - $180,000.00 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.




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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 wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community.

We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.

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.

Required Skill Profession

Other General