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 Human Resources
Job Profile Title
Director, Human Resources, School/Center
Job Description Summary
Information Systems & Computing (ISC) is the University of Pennsylvania’s central IT organization, providing the core network, data, voice, video, and enterprise application infrastructure upon which Penn’s Schools and Centers build their own capabilities.
ISC’s 300-plus employees work closely with the University’s IT organizations to create, deliver and support products and services that help Schools and Centers operate efficiently and effectively. We strive to be easy to work with, and to serve as a trusted advisor to Penn’s IT community, faculty, staff and students in support of an environment of discovery and progress.
With an unwavering focus on customer service, ISC delivers high-quality, cost-effective, and reliable IT solutions that advance the mission of the University and each individual School and Center. ISC provides essential services and expert guidance, empowering departments to leverage their unique strengths in pursuit of their goals.
The Director of Human Resources plays a critical leadership role in overseeing all aspects of ISC’s human capital strategy, including organizational design and development, recruitment, employee relations, compensation and benefits, compliance, training and development, equal opportunity initiatives, and staff recognition.
This position leads the development and execution of a holistic people strategy designed to foster a welcoming, inclusive culture that emphasizes belonging and aligns with ISC’s mission and the University’s values. As the principal HR advisor, the Director provides strategic guidance to ISC leadership and collaborates across the University. A key aspect of the role involves applying systems thinking and process improvement methodologies to drive organizational effectiveness and innovative problem-solving.
Success in this role requires strong relationship-building skills, the ability to navigate complex organizational structures, and a positive outlook balanced by a healthy sense of humor. The Director is instrumental in promoting a people-first approach that ensures ISC remains a vibrant, supportive, and adaptive part of Penn’s community.
Learn more about us at isc.upenn.edu or https://www.linkedin.com/company/penn-information-systems-computing/
Job Description
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for IT & Associate Chief Information Officer and maintaining a dotted-line relationship to Core Human Resources, the Director of Human Resources serves as a strategic business partner to ISC leadership. The Director conducts research and analysis to identify workforce trends and supports long-term organizational strategies, including managing a blended workforce of employees and vendor resources.
This role is responsible for evaluating, recommending, and implementing programs that drive organizational development, talent retention, and competitiveness in the IT job market. The Director supports change management initiatives and acts as a change agent to advance business results through process improvements, organizational design, and realignment within a dynamic and evolving environment.
In collaboration with Core Human Resources, the Director provides proactive guidance on employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance with federal, state, and University policies. The position leads ISC’s performance management processes and oversees the training and resources necessary to support effective performance feedback. The Director also represents ISC in University-wide HR committees and initiatives.

The Director manages two direct reports and oversees the daily operations of ISC’s Office of Human Resources. The HR team provides centralized management of all stages of the employee life cycle, including:

• Recruitment and onboarding
• Leadership and career development
• Performance management
• Workforce and resource planning
• Position management and salary administration
• Employee relations
• Special programs for ISC staff
• Organizational design
• New staff orientation and exit interviews

The Director ensures consistent application of policies and maintains up-to-date knowledge of HR best practices and IT-specific workforce strategies. The HR function serves as a trusted advisor to all ISC staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible HR experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strong consulting, project management, communication (written and verbal), problem-solving, mediation, and organizational skills.
• Service-oriented mindset with the ability to work collaboratively on a team and build effective partnerships with ISC management and HR colleagues.
• Experience in employee relations, conflict resolution, coaching, issue investigation, and implementing appropriate resolutions.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in response to organizational and staff needs.
• Technologically proficient, with the ability to analyze and interpret data and leverage technology to enhance HR performance.
• Experience assessing, developing, and redesigning programs and strategies to build a highly skilled, high-performing workforce aligned with the evolving needs of IT systems and services.
• Knowledge of University HR policies and procedures, familiarity with Workday, and experience supporting an IT workforce are highly desirable.
• Professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP) is highly desirable.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Information Systems and Computing
Pay Range
$109,000.00 - $147,500.00 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-pa

Please refer the Job description for details