Assistant Director of Instructional Technology - Office of Academic Innovation

Title: Assistant Director of Instructional Technology - Office of Academic Innovation - Penn Engineering

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States

Work Type: Hybrid, Full Time

Job ID: JR00119453

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.

Job Description Summary

The Office of Academic Innovation at Penn Engineering seeks an experienced leader in instructional technology, online learning operations, and emerging technologies to lead the Instructional Technology Team of approximately four full-time employees. This role oversees the delivery and continuous improvement of technology-enabled learning experiences across a growing portfolio of online programs while advancing strategic initiatives involving AI, automation, analytics, and digital innovation. The Assistant Director will lead a high-performing team responsible for course operations, instructional technology, and stakeholder support, ensuring an exceptional experience for students, faculty, and teaching assistants.

This position follows a hybrid remote work schedule. Some evening and weekend work is required.

Job Description

Responsibilities

Team Management

As the supervisor of the Instructional Technology Team, manage employees responsible for day-to-day operations of at-scale online, for-credit courses. Specifically, review and refine existing processes, responsibilities, and operations to ensure a smooth course experience for faculty, TAs, students and staff. Develop and manage a complex course support system, ensuring the responsibilities are distributed evenly among all staff members. Oversee TA hiring and exam proctoring. Work with the Instructional Design Team to refine processes related to revisions and preparations for the following semester. Ensure the staff has regular training and professional development to increase their understanding of instructional technology and team operations.

Instructional Technology

Serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of 1-2 courses, and assist in supporting technology and logistical requests. This includes support for the hiring, onboarding, and supervision of large teams of TAs.

AI and Technical Integration and Strategy

Collaborate with the AI Solutions Manager in the management and implementation of tech and AI-related projects and initiatives across the Office of Academic Innovation, ensuring tools are ethically and effectively integrated into the curriculum and administrative workflows. When informed of a platform or tool update, manage the education and training of faculty, TAs, and staff so they can easily adapt to the change. Stay current on generative AI, machine learning, and other EdTech applications, and identify opportunities for adoption and innovation.

Student Success

Support the Student Affairs Team in helping every student in the degree programs to succeed. Specifically, track quantitative and qualitative information from multiple systems, work closely with the Faculty, TAs, and Student Affairs team to monitor student progress, coordinate interventions and track accommodations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree , Master's in a related field strongly preferred, and a minimum of 3-5 years experience, preferably in higher education, technology or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination off education and experience.

• Demonstrated experience managing AI integration projects, pilot programs, or AI-driven educational tools.

• Demonstrated experience managing online courses and/or instructional technology.

• Demonstrated experience managing teams that need to meet daily, weekly and semester goals, i.e., both strong project management skills and supervisor skills.

• Strong customer service skills, positive attitude and attention-to-detail.

• Intermediate Excel skills such as pivot tables, vlook-up and filters.

• Experience with LMSs, LTIs, and associated instructional technology.

• Proficient with GSuite and comfortable using project management tools.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience working in a highly collaborative team environment preferred.

• Experience working with students in higher education environment.

Pay Range

$84,961.00 - $97,000.00 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.