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 Business Development, Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS)
Job Profile Title
Director E, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration
Job Description Summary
Wharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is a globally recognized data research platform trusted by more than 500 institutions in over 35 countries to drive high-impact academic and institutional research. It serves as the global standard for business intelligence, providing millions of users worldwide with centralized, high-speed access to massive datasets across finance, accounting, and economics.
Position Summary
Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is seeking a highly strategic and operationally proven executive for the role of Director of Business Development (Director E). Operating at the intersection of B2B data-as-a-service (DaaS), financial technology, and global academic research, this executive leader is responsible for the overarching market growth, client retention framework, and operational excellence of the world's leading academic research data platform.
This position carries substantial institutional accountability, directly influencing WRDS’ global revenue and partnership ecosystem across leading universities, corporations, and quantitative investment firms. The Director will lead high-priority business development initiatives, including managing relationships with approximately 60 data vendors, expanding into new global markets, coordinating complex agreements across multiple exchanges, and identifying opportunities to reposition the WRDS Marketplace to drive revenue growth.
The Director will also oversee the Customer Experience, Revenue Management, and Marketing and Sales…