Strategic Academic Program Manager (Hybrid)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $63,500- $112,900. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $72,500 - $82,500.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around October 15th, 2024. Posting will remain open until filled.

This position is hybrid.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

The Strategic Academic Program Manager independently applies a deep and broad set of skills in organizational development, effectiveness, business process analysis, and strategic planning to direct and innovate academic and professional development programs impacting the graduate student and postdoctoral communities at UC Merced. Reporting to Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, the Strategic Academic Program Manager plays a key role as a thought partner and leader in executing and advancing the Associate Dean's portfolio focusing on graduate student success, postdoctoral scholarship, and faculty success as mentors and advisors. As such, the incumbent's primary responsibilities will include formulating strategies and administering processes and resources leading to new and innovative programs and proposals, including support in the design of new academic graduate degrees and opportunities. The Strategic Academic Program Manager must have demonstrated high degree of autonomy and competency in managing processes and resources.

The Strategic Academic Program Manager leads efforts in identifying and securing new extramural funding opportunities, engaging in grant writing, and detailed project review processes. Such efforts will require aligning strategic campus and Graduate Division objectives with funding agency and foundation priorities, ensuring the sustainability and growth of Graduate Division programs. The incumbent will have demonstrated strong leadership and teamwork skills essential in coordinating and partnering with other units in the Graduate Division, Academic Affairs, and other campus partners.

The Strategic Academic Program Manager collaborates with faculty to spearhead the development of master's and other graduate degrees and drives graduate students' and postdoctoral scholars' career diversification efforts, tasks that necessitate innovative thinking, application of advanced organizational development principles, and a systems orientation to address the dynamic needs of academic programs and the campus's graduate education ecosystem.

The Strategic Academic Program Manager will forge and enhance strategic relationships with partner organizations and program stakeholders. The role involves a continuous cycle of evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives, leading the publication of outcomes and assessments, and maintain an awareness of the state of the art in graduate education and postdoctoral training. This critical analysis and dissemination of results underscore the Manager's role in handling highly complex issues that require thorough evaluation of multifaceted factors and the strategic selection of methods and techniques to achieve targeted outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Applies advanced organizational development concepts to perform highly complex technical analysis to assess past performance and outcomes, determine present and future opportunities and resource capacity, and provide detailed proposals for project implementation and deployment.
• Convenes and leads cross-functional teams from within Graduate Division, across Academic Affairs, and/or across campus to identify, assess, and solve complex organizational issues.
• Coordinates, collaborates, and supports faculty and administration led efforts in development and submitting new master's and other graduate degrees and credentials aimed at training graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
• Assesses complex situations, identifies desired improvements, works with stakeholders (Graduate Division leadership and staff, Academic Affairs staff, faculty, Academic Senate staff, etc.) to address issues and implement solutions in alignment with campus and Graduate Division strategic goals.
• Exercises wide judgment in selecting and developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for assessing existing and proposed Graduate Division programs, obtaining appropriate results and review of evidence-based literature to propose, deploy, and resolve organizational effectiveness issues.
• Understands mission and business needs and ensures that systems, both technical and nontechnical, can support those needs and goals.
• Provides collaborative leadership and consultation, strategic planning, design and facilitation, and project management on complex problems and program development to achieve strategically aligned solutions and outcomes.
• Guides, advises, and mentors less experienced members of the unit.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a related field, or equivalent experience/training. (Required)
• Advanced degree from an accredited university in a related field. (Preferred)
• Five years of directly related, progressively responsible experience in project management, organizational development, student services, assessment, or related areas, or a combination of education, training, and experience. A master's degree is strongly preferred and may substitute for one year of experience. (Required)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge of the organizational development and effectiveness field, theories, models to assess, design and implement customized, strategic organization interventions.
• Demonstrates strong analytical, problem-solving, project planning and implementation skills.
• Highly skilled in facilitation, consulting and relationship building.
• Applies strong verbal, written communication and presentation skills.
• Possesses strong consulting, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills.
• Demonstrates skill consulting to managers and groups at all levels.
• Ability to coach, facilitate and influence people at all levels.
• Demonstrates ability to learn quickly, reason, synthesize and generalize based on information obtained; sound judgment; ability to draw unbiased conclusions.
• Ability to focus on priorities, strategies, and vision.
• Knowledge of the consulting process to effectively lead engagements from inception to conclusion.
• Ability to persuade through both logic and appeal to positive motivations.

Background check will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.