EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

For UCOP internal applicants, please login to the internal candidate gateway at: Jobs at UCOP

This is a UC Senate Faculty-only internal Search for an academic position located in Sacramento, California.

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Background

The University of California Center Sacramento (UCCS) advances the University's mission of teaching,

research and public service by offering a distinctive program in public policy to students from throughout the university's nine undergraduate campuses. Established in 2003 as a systemwide unit of the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and administered jointly with UC Davis, UCCS is poised to begin a new chapter in its history by launching a re-invigorated undergraduate academic program complemented by robust internships. Located steps from the State Capitol in Sacramento at the new University of California Student and Policy Center[1], this academic enterprise is accompanied by a highly visible, public facing program of top-flight speakers, debates, briefings, and panels that enables distinguished faculty and expert guests to speak to major policy issues of our time.

Opportunity

We seek applications for the position of Executive Director of UCCS Academic Programs, to begin no later than September 2025. Reporting to the University of California Provost and Executive Vice President and the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of UC Davis, the Executive Director of Academic Programs will provide leadership for all components of academic programs available to UC undergraduate students and will lead an expanded program of internships designed to provide students with opportunities to contribute to problem solving in state agencies, legislative offices, non-profit organizations, and private sector firms, while completing challenging courses aligned to this objective.

POSITION SUMMARY

The most important responsibility of the Executive Director will be to grow the undergraduate enrollment of this program, both during the academic year and summer. Working with the deans of schools and departments of public policy and related programs on the nine undergraduate campuses, the Executive Director will design and lead strategies that can result in a significant increase in undergraduate participation. These include outreach to, and consistent communication with, academic partners, as well as engagement with the Academic Senate to facilitate course credit for general education and major credit.

The Executive Director will also work collaboratively with the deans and directors of UC professional school programs to grow future graduate educational opportunities at UCCS. The Goldman School of Public Policy is poised to inaugurate a Master's Degree in Public Affairs in the Fall of 2025 at UCCS. We look forward to other possibilities like this which the Executive Director will be expected to encourage.

The appointment is for a four-year renewable term.

Essential qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications, experience, and professional characteristics:

• A UC Academic Senate member in good standing with tenure or security of employment.
• Research and teaching experience in public policy and/or related fields such as economics, political science, sociology, and/or public health.
• Interest in public scholarship and/or the application of basic and applied research to problems of significance to the state of California, the nation, and the international community.
• Strong scholarly and curriculum development credentials.
• Experience with UC shared governance.
• Commitment to strengthening ties between the UCCS program and the campuses, as well as commitment to increasing recruitment of students in all disciplines, particularly in science, arts, and humanities.
• Evidence of strong management and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence. Experience integrating such commitments into the workplace and classroom.
• Passion for the academic mission of UCCS and experiential learning for a broad spectrum of majors.
• Residence in the Sacramento/Davis area, and willingness to travel throughout the state on behalf of UCCS.
• Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
• At least five years of demonstrated leadership of administrative experience.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with UC policies and practices with respect to academic courses and program development, faculty hiring, and assessment.
• Experience building and sustaining collaborative teams and/or networks.
• Experience in partnerships and networks involving more than one UC campus.
• Experience successfully working with and/or supervising staff in pursuit of common goals.
• Ability to build strong relationships with and between faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to "think big," run with nascent ideas where appropriate, and build coalitions across institutional boundaries within the university and between UC and external groups.
• Good business acumen and a taste for innovation that is fiscally sound.
• Ability to recognize and solve problems of varied kinds quickly and effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Office of the President, UC Davis, and advisory and governing boards that oversee academic programs, financial matters, and governance.
• Leadership skills and administrative experience, including program management, designing and/or managing curricular programs, overseeing a program budget, and dealing with student welfare issues.

This position is expected to be the primary focus of the Executive Director's work.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Undergraduate teaching responsibilities within UCCS curriculum are expected to be an integral part of the role. In order to integrate this mission with the Executive Director's research, the time commitment may be adjusted between 50-100% time and can vary across the years.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is determined by the underlying academic appointment. A reasonable estimated annualized full-time salary range for this position is $175,000-$220,000 based on experience and accomplishments. Faculty administrators with less than a full-time appointment are normally compensated with stipends and/or additional summer compensation, consistent with policy.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

How to Apply

To apply, please login to the UCOP job page at: Jobs at UCOP

Applicants are asked to submit a letter of application expressing their interest in the position, a CV, a list of three individuals who can speak to their qualifications. It is particularly helpful to the selection committee if candidates can comment on their commitments to their experience with removing barriers to success for UC's pluralistic community. Questions about the position should be directed to Ehsan Choudhry (Ehsan.Choudhry@ucop.edu). For full consideration, application materials should be submitted no later than April 1, 2025.

ONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at: epost@ucop.edu.