Managing Director

Penn Information Systems & Computing

Managing Director of the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit, a behavioral design team impacting healthcare decisions through scientific insights. Overseeing operational and strategic activities to improve health outcomes at Penn Medicine.

Posted 7/20/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $112,433 - $140,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong leadership in managing operational and research staff, fostering a culture of learning, and ensuring compliance with clinical and research protocols. Skilled in budgeting, performance evaluation, and stakeholder relationship management to drive project success and operational excellence.

Highest-signal resume keywords

People ManagementOperational ExcellenceBudgeting and Financial ForecastingIRB and Human Research Protection RegulationsStrategic Planning and Execution

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Performance EvaluationBudget PreparationProject ManagementProcess ImprovementWorkflow DevelopmentData AnalysisTraining and CoachingConflict ResolutionGoal SettingStakeholder Engagement

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationTeam BuildingProblem SolvingAdaptability

Industry Keywords

Clinical ResearchHealth System OperationsSOPsComplianceGrants ManagementExecutive LeadershipNudge UnitResearch CollaborativesEvent PlanningHuman Research Protection

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the “chief of staff” for NU operational and research staff (currently 6 direct reports, total of 13 staff) and facilitate a culture of learning and growth among the team.
Direct and manage staff and interns, with responsibilities including recruitment, training, coaching, and performance evaluation and management.
Assist staff in developing measurable performance goals/objectives, in alignment with Nudge, CHTI, health system, and program objectives, to ensure direct reports clearly understand expectations and responsibilities.
Direct staff in problem solving, conflict resolution, and process improvements.
Allocate staffing and other essential resources across the project portfolio; help ensure projects are clearly scoped and operationally feasible.
Manage staff coverage for active projects during staff vacations, sick calls, and urgent situations, or provide interim coverage as necessary.
Facilitate team meetings to ensure proper execution of study-related responsibilities and deliverables to meet key milestones.
Supervise education and training for direct reports, including department-specific onboarding.
Lead team culture pathways such as team retreats and pulse survey, NU events such as staff/project milestone events, holiday celebrations, and CHTI-wide culture initiatives and research collaboratives.
Foster a positive culture, maintaining psychological safety and welfare of each staff member.
Serve as point person on key processes related to the NU’s operations including best practices, SOPs, methods, communication, and budgeting.
Identify and lead opportunities to improve team methods, operations, culture, project selection, and execution.
Ensure the establishment of project-related process workflows, timelines, and milestones associated with the conduct of clinical/research projects to ensure compliance with the protocol, institutional policies, and all applicable regulations.
Identify when projects are drifting or becoming disconnected from outcomes and help redirect them.
Lead the development, evaluation, and implementation of new workflows and operating models in response to evolving strategic priorities, staff feedback, etc.
Cultivate and manage internal health system stakeholder relationships with executive leadership, grants management and procurement leadership, informatics partners, and clinical and operational leaders to ensure project support and prioritization and remove obstacles as necessary.
Oversee the planning and execution of NU hosted events including the Annual Nudges in Health Care Symposium, which draws an international audience of 200 clinicians, researchers, and operational stakeholders.
Oversee NU budgeting and operations across its portfolio of health system and grant-funded projects, including adjusting staff allocations, directing expensing, forecasting budget needs, and preparing budgets for grant proposals.
Oversee annual setting of goals/objectives for the Nudge Unit in alignment with departmental and health system goals and priorities and periodic review of progress.
Actively contribute to business development, shaping proposals, participating in executive-level discussions, and helping convert strategic opportunities into funded work.
Provide thought partnership to Faculty Director and Nudge Leadership team on strategic decisions to facilitate the growth and continued success of the Nudge Unit.
Represent the Nudge Unit in high-visibility internal and external settings, including conferences, advisory engagements, and partner meetings.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 7 to 10 years of experience or Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Demonstrated experience bringing operational excellence to an organization.
Takes on new opportunities with a sense of urgency, providing direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to drive results.
Systems-oriented but grounded in real-world execution.
Comfortable operating in dynamic and evolving environment.
Outstanding people management skills with over 4 years of experience directly supervising staff.
Experience working with IRB and human research protection regulations.
Exceptional writing, analysis, and presentation skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.
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, and 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.
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.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments.
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.