Program Director, Transportation Initiative at Penn (6 month Term Position)

Program Director, Transportation Initiative at Penn (6 month Term Position)

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.

Posted Job Title
Program Director, Transportation Initiative at Penn (6 month Term Position)

Job Profile Title
Director B, Academic Affairs, Academic Center

Job Description Summary
The Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR) is a campus-wide institute dedicated to fostering increased understanding of cities through an interdisciplinary approach to urban issues. The Research Advisor and Program Director plays a central role in advancing the mission of the Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP), an interdisciplinary effort housed within the Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR).

Working closely with TRIP's Director, the Program Director will help shape and implement TRIP's research agenda, policy engagement, and partnership strategies-connecting Penn's academic expertise to the evolving challenges of creating sustainable, equitable, and technologically advanced transportation systems.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for a mid-career professional with strong experience in program management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement to contribute meaningfully to applied research and innovation at the intersection of research, policy, practice, and education. The successful candidate will play a vital role in shaping TRIP's impact and fostering collaboration across academic and professional networks and working with donors and sponsors.

Job Description

** Please note that this is a term position with a target end date of 6/19/26.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic and Program Development and Coordination : Collaborate with the Director to develop a strategic plan for TRIP and implement strategic priorities across research, outreach, education, and policy initiatives.
  
• Convening Leadership : Lead the design, planning, and execution of high-impact convenings-including conferences, roundtables, and symposia-that bring together leaders from academia, government, business, and philanthropy.
  
• Policy Research and Publication s: Coordinate and contribute to the production of policy briefs, reports, and publications that translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
  
• Partnership Development : Cultivate and manage relationships with external partners, collaborators, sponsors, and donors to advance TRIP's applied research and projects.
  
• Communications and Visibility : Produce a comprehensive communications plan (digital, print, social media, etc.). Develop and manage digital and print content for newsletters, websites, and social media to highlight TRIP's initiatives and research outputs. Support media outreach and external communications as needed.
  
• Funding and Reporting : Assist in preparing grant proposals, sponsorship materials, and progress reports for funders, partners, and advisory committees.
  
• Operational Management : Provide project coordination, scheduling, and budgeting support in collaboration with Penn IUR administrative staff.
  
• Special Projects : Lead or support short-term initiatives and research projects aligned with TRIP's evolving priorities in transportation innovation and policy.
  
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
  

Qualifications

Experience:

• Bachelor's and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
  
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in transportation, infrastructure, urban policy, research, or related fields is preferred.
  
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects, convenings, and partnerships across sectors.
  
• Experience authoring or overseeing policy reports or applied research publications strongly preferred.
  
• Familiarity with university, nonprofit, or public-sector operations desirable.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to engage senior stakeholders and facilitate cross-sector collaboration.
• Commitment to advancing innovation, equity, and sustainability in transportation and urban systems

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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Provost Interdisciplinary Programs

Pay Range
$79,500.00 - $88,400.00 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 and Life : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  

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