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Posted Job Title

Director of Operations

Job Profile Title

Manager, Administration and Finance

Job Description Summary

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a multi-year contract with VinUniversity and Vinmec, entities that are subsidiaries of Vingroup, a multi-national conglomerate headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam. This contract commits Penn to provide advisory services to Vingroup to create new medical and nursing schools as part of a nonprofit, private university in Vietnam. Accordingly, staff will be required to plan, implement and administer this partnership.

The Director of Operations for the Vingroup-Penn Alliance plans and coordinates the day-to-day fiscal, administrative, and operational activities of this funded project. The Director of Operations will report to the Director of the Center for Global Health (CGH) and will provide assistance to the Director, and the overall academic team who will provide advisory services and deliverables as mutually agreed upon in the contract. Duties generally include managing a large-scale international project, planning and managing budgets, program implementation, logistical and travel support, internal and external operational/ administrative liaison, program marketing, reporting, and supervisory responsibilities. The position will enhance the visibility of the project across the Penn campus and assist the Director and faculty in building a quality partnership through planning and collaborating on relevant deliverables and events. The position will be responsible for managing all communication with senior level management both at Penn and Vingroup on behalf of Alliance’s project team.

This position is contingent on funding with a tentative end date of September 30, 2021.

Job Description

• Works with the Project Director to design strategic plans related to partnership with Vingroup, to include drafting contracts, contract amendments, and other strategy and strategic communications documents.
• Manages the team to implement all operational support necessary to accomplish the project plan. Tasks include administering and managing the staff onboarding process, performance management processes and personnel management processes.
• Manages operational aspects of ongoing Vingroup-Penn Alliance, including progression of project plan, establishing goals for progression reports, deliverables, problem solving and life cycle activities to meet project productivity and quality goals. Manages all aspects of administrative support to implement and market the project, including creating project website, communications materials presentations for internal and external consumption, press releases, etc.
• Serves as a liaison between faculty members, business office staff, other departments, and/or external constituencies on day-to-day programmatic, operational, and administrative issues; facilitates meetings, collaborates with financial management personnel, special projects, and assists with problem resolution. Manages communications on behalf of Penn with Vingroup and ensures optimal levels of customer satisfaction within project schedule and budget.
• Coordinates activities of consultants and faculty engaged in implementation and administration of program objectives, including executing and managing contracts and payments, in collaboration with the business office. Participates in various financial management programs including expense management, budgetary plans, profit projection, etc.
• Travel to Vietnam approximately 4-6 times per calendar year to support project activities, such as gathering data, presenting deliverables and enhancing relationships with client organization.
• Monitors and maintains project metrics and data; analyzes results; prepares scheduled and special reports; maintains program/project records and statistical information
• Establish work processes and office management procedures to optimize efficiency in ongoing operational initiatives

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience is required. Master’s degree with relevance to global health and/or international relations preferred with a passion for working as part of an international, multi-cultural, cross-border team. Demonstrated knowledge of issues in global health and related programs; excellent project management, writing, customer service, management and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently and on own initiative; ability to effectively manage and prioritize tasks and initiatives for self and a small team. Excellent organizational, communication, collaborative and interpersonal skills to foster teamwork and achieve common goals with different stakeholders in Global Operations. Ability to communicate and collaborate with international colleagues on the Vingroup team and with site controllers in Vietnam; demonstrated by a track record of international experience and exposure. Knowledge of and sensitivity to a multi-cultural, cross-border team. Willing to travel to support project and client team in Vietnam. Able to work in a fast-paced work environment where processes are fluid and subject to changes and meet deadlines. Familiarity with Penn processes and data systems preferred. Professional proficiency in Vietnamese language helpful. Flexibility to work after business hours and weekends as required.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$59,703.00 - $113,435.00

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.