Program Coordinator, Meal Plans; Hospitality Services

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

Program Coordinator, Meal Plans; Hospitality Services

Job Profile Title

Coordinator, Program

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Penn Dining Meal Plans, the Program Coordinator will be the primary point of contact for all service related inquires for Penn Dining & Meal Plans. This role will be responsible for responding to customer requests and inquiries via, phone, making adjustments to accounts via blackboard and representing Penn Dining at events occurring on campus.

Job Description

• Works as primary customer-facing role for Penn Dining’s 6300+ board plan holders and additional internal and external clients, supporting Penn Dining’s position as the University’s food service provider.
• Provides excellent customer service and timely responses to customer inquiries via email and phone.
• Manages the Penn Dining email account and acts as needed to resolve issues/respond to customer inquiries or concerns.
• Processes daily board plan transactions, e.g. plan changes, swipe/transaction adjustments, contract cancellations, and similar functions.
• Regularly checks in with dining cafés to monitor student satisfaction and successful implementation of dining policies and procedures.
• Provides reports and data to assist in making decisions regarding multiple facets of the dining plan program which may include, and are not limited to, board plan management and dining policies.
• Contributes efforts in delivering regular marketing/communications of Penn Dining across campus.
• Represents Penn Dining at University fairs/events to positively promote the resources and services of the department.
• Maintains frequent contact and collaboration with university partners to ensure optimal outcomes are achieved.
• Work with a team-focused and collaborative approach, being willing to adapt to changes while remaining focused on department, division, and University missions.
• Alternate work schedule and evening and weekend hours will be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 3 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of knowledge, education and experience, is required. 2 to 3 years of related work experience strongly preferred, preferably in a university setting. Demonstrated experience in an administrative and customer service role is also strongly preferred.
• Must have strong attention to detail and accuracy and be able to meet deadlines.
• Candidate must possess advanced skills utilizing computer software including web applications, online systems, data management and reporting tools, and standard office packages (Word, Excel, electronic mail).
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team, manage several responsibilities at the same time, and resolve problems using initiative and sound judgment are all imperative.
• The candidate must be able to collect and synthesize data and then subsequently package it in a manner that can be presented and understood.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and customer service skills and a high level of professionalism are all required, as well as having excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have a deep appreciation for diversity and enjoy working with a culturally diverse population of college students and parents on a daily basis.
• Prior Blackboard, accounting, and billing experience are highly desireable.

About the Division of Business Services

The Business Services Division (BSD) supports the individual and collective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable, customer-friendly campus environment through the provision of mission-critical services and essential operations. BSD’s mission is to provide high-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner. Currently, the Division is focused on three major initiatives: 

• Revenue growth/retention through improved marketing efforts, extended services, and development of new distribution channels.
• Driving productivity for the Division and its customers through the better use of technology.
• Enhancing service offerings through upgrades and expansions of facilities.​

Residential & Hospitality Services is one of seventeen departments reporting to the Division of Business Services. Consistent with the Business Services mission, our underlying philosophy is to provide our clients with high quality services in a fiscally responsible manner. Residential & Hospitality Services is a group of dedicated, innovative, and student-centered staff that oversee the on-campus living and dining, as well as conferences, programs and events hosted at Penn. The team works closely with other partners to provide students and guests with services that support living and learning at the University of Pennsylvania.

Penn Dining is made up of talented chefs, managers, cashiers, dishwashers, servers, and administrators who are dedicated to delivering consistent, high-quality food to a diverse on-campus clientele through a wide variety of venues. As the University’s foodservice professionals, we oversee food operations and dining services and consult on all food-related planning issues. Our mission is to ensure the delivery of consistent, high-quality food to a diverse on-campus clientele.

For more information about BSD visit: https://www.business-services.upenn.edu  

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Residential and Hospitality Services

Pay Range

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