Senior Associate Director, Career Advisor, Wharton MSQF

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 Associate Director, Career Advisor, Wharton MSQF

Job Profile Title

Associate Director D, Student Services, Advising

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.

Reporting to the Director of Student Advising, the Senior Associate Director (Sr. AD), Career Advisor, MSQF (Masters of Science in Quantitative Finance) manages industry-based Connected Communities. This includes working with student clubs, alumni, student leaders, Career Fellows, and MSQF program team to support student job searches. They use various formats such as industry presentations, communications, industry events, and connectivity platforms to provide information about students’ pursuing careers in quantitative finance.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

The Career Advisor, MSQF conducts student career advising in the format of large group, small group, or individual sessions (e.g. Advising Circles, Office Hours, appointments). They guide students through all stages of the job search - including self-assessment, career exploration, resume and cover letter generation, networking and interview preparation, industry recruiting processes, and decision-making.  They refer students to tools and resources throughout their job search. This position will require someone with a strong focus on early career students to help closely coach them through all aspects of the job search listed above.  Experience or an interest in working with students and companies in the quantitative finance sector is essential.

 

The Career Advisor, MSQF will manage action plans for quantitative finance within MAP (My Action Plan platform).  This includes updating the content relevant for job searching success, adding supporting data, recording and posting timely advice-oriented podcasts, curating external resources, and soliciting student feedback for content. They stay informed on industry trends and changes, and communicate those to the team and students. They also track student interest and keep their Relationship Managers(s) informed of learnings.  The Career Advisor, MSQF writes and distributes timely communications for their population leveraging various networking platforms, club newsletters, and email.

 

Co-manage employer relationships in partnership with the Employer Engagement team to support internship and full-time opportunities and outcomes, working with both MSQF board member and non-board organizations. This includes initiating new partnerships and maintaining strong, ongoing relationships, while actively engaging with financial firms, their employees, and alumni. 

 

Lastly, the Career Advisor, MSQF participates on project teams. This includes workstreams such as technical platforms (that help students prepare for quantitative finance technical interviews), initiatives for sub-groups of students (e.g. internationals, satisfied/dissatisfied students, recruiting quantitative finance Alumni Career Experts) and special events (e.g.,  Enterprise Recruiting Lab, alumni power dinners, career consultant for the day). In partnership with program stakeholders, this role ensures alignment across event planning and student communications to avoid duplication and deliver a cohesive student experience.

Qualifications

• MBA or other graduate degree strongly preferred along with a minimum of five to seven years of prior work experience in recruiting, job placement, career counseling or coaching.
• Highly motivated and dedicated individual with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Previous managerial experience required, along with an ability to work as a strong team player.
• Able to interact across multiple levels, and willingness to go above and beyond in order to achieve the required goals.
• Comfortable with all job search skills and ability to develop a curriculum for different stages of the job search along with comfort/ability to network with financial firms and their employees/ alumni there.
• Deep knowledge of business and business careers, and strong written and oral communication skills, are essential.
• Experience or interest in working with students and employers focused on careers in quantitative finance. 
• Ability and interest to work with financial entities and professionals in the quantitative finance sector to help demonstrate the value of the skills our students can contribute to their institutions. 
• A preferred qualification is experience coaching college students or early career professionals through professional development goals.
• Ability to travel, both domestically and internationally.

*This position is funded by an endowment and is subject to the continued availability of those funds.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Wharton School

Pay Range

$80,891.00 - $110,000.00 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