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

Associate Director, Center for Research on Feminist, Queer, and Transgender Studies

Job Profile Title

Associate Director C, Academic Affairs, Academic Center

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director of the Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, and Transgender Studies (FQT Center) works closely with the Center’s Director to plan and oversee all programming and research initiatives for the Center, including the Trans Oral History Project (TOHP). The Associate Director position includes supervising all Center staff (including graduate associates and undergraduate work study students), as well as the research and programming of visiting scholars, artists, postdoctoral fellows, and professors of practice.

Job Description

The Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, and Transgender Studies (FQT Center) fosters cutting-edge research on women, gender, and sexuality across multiple schools on Penn’s campus as well as constituents from Philadelphia feminist, queer, and transgender communities. Each year the FQT Center sponsors dozens of programs, events, workshops and conferences for Penn students, faculty, and staff, as well as the broader Philadelphia community; hosts visiting scholars, artists, postdoctoral fellows, and professors of practice; coordinates the Trans Oral History Project (TOHP) in partnership with Penn’s Kislak Center for Special Collections and Philadelphia’s William Way LGBTQ Center; supports the research of visiting and affiliated faculty; and produces multiple episodes of the Gender Jawn podcast.

Job Responsibilities

The Associate Director of the FQT Center 1) plans, organizes, and attends programs, events, workshops and conferences for Penn students, faculty, and staff, as well as the broader Philadelphia community; 2) collaborates with visiting scholars, artists, postdoctoral fellows and professors of practice to plan their particular programming; 3) oversees the activities and staff of the Trans Oral History Project (TOHP); 4) collaborates with the Director, graduate assistants, and other staff to write grants and raise funds to support the Center’s and affiliated faculty’s public programs and research projects; 5) teaches one GSWS course per academic year; 6) serves as the Center’s liaison with other Penn academic and student life centers; core and affiliate faculty in departments and schools across the university; and organizations in the Philadelphia community with whom FQT partners; 7) supervises and updates the FQT website; 8) helps design and plan event publicity; 9) oversees the use of new media to communicate with our multiple audiences and affiliated communities (including as lead producer of the Gender Jawn podcast); 10) supervises FQT Center work study students.

Qualifications:

In order to successfully direct this multifaceted and multidisciplinary Center, the FQT Associate Director position requires a PhD. The position also requires substantive knowledge of current scholarly and pedagogical research in feminist, queer, and transgender studies; experience teaching courses in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies; experience planning and organizing workshops, symposia, seminars, conferences, and/or other events; leadership experience (preferably from within a university setting of program/center/departmental committees, task forces, etc); and strong speaking and writing skills.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, C.V., and names of three references with the application.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$51,824.00 - $75,000.00 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, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

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.

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.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay