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Chief Administrative Officer

University of California - Irvine
medical insurance
United States, California, Irvine
Mar 17, 2026
Who We Are

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

Founded in 1965, the Henry Samueli School of Engineering educates more than 5,000 students (4,000 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students) with an integrative approach that blends fundamentals, research and hands-on experience. The School's aim is to unleash innovation, create opportunities and inspire ingenuity. The School's faculty members are leaders in their disciplines who have achieved worldwide recognition for their research and dedicated teaching. The School includes six academic departments. Under the leadership of the Dean, the School pursues research that is timely, socially responsible and cutting edge, and works in partnership with industry, state, and federal agencies to promote the transfer of research to applications that benefit society. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is one of six academic departments in the Samueli School of Engineering at UCI. MSE is an interdisciplinary and enthusiastic group of faculty and staff who are firmly committed to the success of our students and programs.

https://engineering.uci.edu/

The targeted hiring range for this position is $7,916.67 - $10,416.70/month ($95,000 - $125,000/year)


Your Role on the Team

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in the Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine is seeking applications for a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a key position providing staff leadership in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering. Reporting to the Department Chair with a dotted reporting line to the Senior Assistant Dean/Chief of Staff, the (CAO) provides daily management and oversight of an administrative team including instructional lab support, facilities, financial and business operations, personnel management and graduate student support. The CAO performs short and long term planning for the department and regularly works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. The CAO exercises initiative and sound leadership within the parameters of school and university policies and guidelines to accomplish the goals and objectives of the department. The CAO uses advanced administrative concepts and organization objectives to resolve complex issues. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve goals result in additional costs, and serious delays in overall schedules.


What It Takes to be Successful

Required:

  • Solid knowledge of the organization's processes, protocols and procedures with a focus on budget, account and fund management and / or personnel management within labor contract(s) and personnel policy.
  • Solid interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising, and counseling to effectively motivate others.. Experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of the campus community with respect for established hierarchy and protocol.
  • Advanced knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, , risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll.
  • Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
  • Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving and customer service skills to effectively manage multiple competing priorities. Demonstrated ability to view planning and operational issues in a comprehensive picture both in terms of current complexities and interactions and in long-term consequences.
  • Solid knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and / or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees. Proven experience in budget development, fund-based accounting, and conducting long and short range financial planning, preparation, administration and analysis in a complex funding environment.
  • Demonstrated ability and skills to effectively direct and supervise professional and staff positions; ability to train, motivate, coach, mentor and provide effective and sound judgment and leadership.
  • Solid skills to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify resolutions.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of graduate student affairs functions and educational support systems in an academic department.
  • Solid organizational and customer service skills to effectively manage multiple priorities.
  • Demonstrated experience with process improvement initiatives and implementing administrative best practices.
  • Solid knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs.
  • Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
  • 5-10 years of management and leadership experience managing a department, and or combination of education and experience.

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

  • Background Check and Live Scan
  • Employment Misconduct*
  • Legal Right to work in the United States
  • Vaccination Policies
  • Smoking and Tobacco Policy
  • Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

  • California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
  • E-Verify
  • Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.


Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship

Must be able to provide proof of work authorization
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