Associate Director, Undergraduate Admissions, Policy & Communications (0303)

University of California Office of the President

Requisition Number: 20190178

Appointment Type: Staff - Career

Personnel Program: MSP

Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Percentage of Time: 100

Organizational Area: Academic Affairs: Student Affairs - Admissions

Location: Oakland, CA

Posting Salary: Salary commensurate with experience.

Position Summary:
The Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions serves as a senior member of the Student Affairs department. As a member of the Undergraduate Admissions leadership team, reporting to the Director, this position: (a) serves as a primary liaison between the Office of the President, faculty and campuses in the development, implementation, and communication of University-wide policies and guidelines for admissions, including coordination of campus-level policies, practices, and outcomes; (b) leads initiatives related to increasing the application, admission and enrollment of well-qualified applicants; (c) defines and is accountable for analytical agenda to advance greater access for prospective students through sound campus selection policies; (d) provides leadership in communicating complex information related to university admissions and evaluation policies.

In coordination with External Relations and Communications, manages the systemwide message for undergraduate admissions. Associate Director is responsible for achieving the goals of undergraduate admissions by developing new and evaluating existing strategies and managing resources. Functions with a high degree of autonomy.

Special Conditions of Employment:


Other Special Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of a background check is required for appointment to this critical position.

Job Close Date:

Duties

Duty 1: Provides oversight and leadership in the development of UC systemwide undergraduate policies, and implementation strategies to further the mission of the University as the premier public university system in the nation. Working with upper management and across departments within UCOP, University faculty (e.g., Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) and University Committee on Preparatory Education (UCOPE)), campuses, external entities, the Associate Director is accountable for ensuring the University of California is accessible to the broadest group of well-qualified, prospective applicants, especially applicants from California's high schools and community colleges (CCC). Provides leadership in developing UC systemwide initiatives that expand access to students from California. This includes meeting the University's obligations under the California Master Plan for Higher Education. Develops strategies to promote greater intersegmental collaboration between and among UC, CSU, the high schools and CCCs on issues related to access and admission of students. Guides senior University leaders and the campuses concerning policies and practices that impact the admission and matriculation of undergraduate students. Takes a leadership role in developing new and interpreting existing policies, making policy recommendations, and/or implementing systemwide guidelines in response to high-profile issues affecting admissions. For example: - Review of freshman and transfer admission policies, practices and evaluation guidelines; - Review of new, unusual or edge cases where existing policies, practices and definitions are not clearly applicable. - Design of admission policies that support the admission of underserved, non-traditional audiences (e.g., veterans). Ensures that appropriate consultation occurs with and between UCOP leadership, faculty, campus personnel, and/or colleagues in other segments to build an understanding of and consensus for a UC policy stance or interpretation. As necessary, acts as a consensus-builder and negotiates interactions diplomatically and effectively while promoting the exchange of ideas; information and opinions between key constituents in order to formulate programs, policies, and procedures; and arrive equitably at decisions, conclusions, and/or solutions. Proposes strategic solutions and/or viable options to resolve problems and conflicts among differing views and opinions. Takes initiative for developing options to resolve problems and conflicts among differing University constituencies. Works collaboratively with Diversity and Engagement, Institutional Research and Academic Planning (IRAP), External Relations and Communications, and other UCOP units on issues that touch on college access and academic preparation as they relate to UC admissions and University diversity objectives. Chairs or staffs OP/intercampus/intersegmental admissions committees. Contributes to meeting agendas for BOARS, UCOPE, and senior leadership in Academic Affairs to present thorough and meaningful background materials on current issues.
Function:Policy Development
Percent: 25

Duty 2: Takes a leadership role in anticipating, defining and analyzing a comprehensive range of issues that focus on improving the University's attainment of its objectives and evaluating the effectiveness of the University's efforts, often working across departmental lines. Develops policy briefings and analyses for Academic Affairs leadership, the Director of Undergraduate Admissions, BOARS, intersegmental leadership, and other stakeholders. Links research on undergraduate admissions with the development of strategic initiatives to promote greater access to UC, particularly from high schools and community colleges with large populations of underserved students and low-sending rates to UC. Identifies and prioritizes topics for analysis by IRAP in such diverse areas as student choice, student-specific demographic trends, admissions selection criteria, enrollment patterns, effects of admissions policies on time-to-degree, persistence, graduation rates, and recruitment of students to specific campuses. Takes lead in identifying and prioritizing topics related to state and federal legislation involving current admissions issues such as diversity, veterans, and transfer and advises how they may affect UC, providing essential analyses as needed. Remains current on trends in educational policy and reform. Advises senior UC officials, faculty leadership and campus decision-makers, Regents, and others of trends that might affect UC policy and/or student access, and provides recommendations for action and/or real time decision support where warranted. Research pending California and federal legislation that may impact admission policies and processes by staying abreast of state and national current educational topics. Reviews, and evaluates analyses, including those with contributions from other departmental staff (e.g., IRAP, Legislative Affairs), related to UC's position on proposed state legislation, materials related to the academic preparation and selection of undergraduate students. Produces and presents briefings, position papers and policy options outlining University views on undergraduate admissions issues.
Function:Strategic Research and Analysis
Percent: 15

Duty 3: Directs and provides collaborative leadership with high level campus officials on the array and composition of University programs needed to implement the University's admissions policies and goals. Ensures that the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of all systemwide admissions policies and selection procedures are consistent with UC's policy goals, and are correctly implemented by campuses. Oversee program development that streamline the recruitment, evaluation and admission of undergraduate students (e.g., enhancements that facilitate the effectiveness and consistency of the review of transfer applicants). Convenes campus and intersegmental leadership responsible for undergraduate student academic preparation and admission to develop systemwide initiatives, share best practices, exchange information, and compare data and outcomes. Provides budget oversight for relevant programs and/or initiatives.
Function:Program Oversight
Percent: 15

Duty 4: Serves as a primary liaison between the Office of the President, UC campuses, high schools and California community colleges for the development, implementation, and communication of faculty-approved policies related to undergraduate admissions. In concert with External Relations and Communications, takes a lead role as the subject matter expert in developing UC's overall message on undergraduate admissions policies and practices, especially as it pertains to the admission of a diverse, well-qualified student population. Adapts it as appropriate for various external and internal constituencies while ensuring integrity in UC's overall communication across audiences. Presents to a variety of audiences, including statewide and national conferences, regional organizations, and counseling communities, to share University policies and practices related to the admission of undergraduate students. Extensive knowledge of the UC admissions process and campus practices is required. Represents UC admissions leadership on external panels, committees, and meetings to present the University's position on admissions. Manages a wide variety of communication and written materials for different audiences including policy briefings for the UC Regents, senior UC leadership, Undergraduate Admissions leadership, the Academic Senate, and external agencies and stakeholders. In the case of legislative testimony, speeches, Regents presentations, etc., collaborates directly with the speaker and is responsible for discerning the speaker's voice and achieving appropriate levels of tone and complexity congruent with the speaker's position and audience. Represents the University on work groups and advisory boards pertaining to intersegmental issues, as well as in professional forums where UC admissions policies and practices are the focus of discussion. Communicates frequently with all constituents, not only from the "top down" but from the "bottom up" to learn of their concerns, misunderstandings, and what they need from the Office of the President. Addresses these concerns and needs in a timely manner; facilitates communication among the constituents to promote better understanding of Universitywide viewpoints, thoughtful responses to policy and program issues, and inclusion in decision-making, where appropriate. Keeps the Director abreast of issues and trends. As requested and in consultation with the Director, write talking points on legislative hearings for the Provost and other senior leadership. May also have direct responsibility for undergraduate admissions reports (particularly the transfer admissions section) to the Regents and the legislature; identifies and analyzes themes and trends to be included in each year's report; coordinates the production of necessary data; and is responsible for all aspects of the content, appearance, and publication of the report. Communicates on behalf of the University to high school and community college counselors on policy updates and admissions outcomes.
Function:Strategic Communications
Percent: 25

Duty 5: Supervises the Manager of Policy Implementation and Admission Evaluation in systemwide consensus-building on the implementation and interpretation of admission policies. Supervises the Coordinator of Events and Communications in the execution of events such as the statewide High School Counselor Conferences and Ensuring Transfer Success Conference (for CCCs); and communications such as the content of the UCOP Admissions website and monthly newsletter. Monitors the revenue and expenditure of funds for the Events and Communications budget.
Function:Management
Percent: 20

Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree in the social sciences or a quantitative field and at least seven years of professional experience in project management and/or advanced quantitative analysis in a University setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability to quickly acquire a thorough understanding of California's educational landscape and other entities involved in the state's higher education policy development. Demonstrated understanding of major policy issues related to higher education, in general, and transfer admissions specifically.

Extensive knowledge and thorough understanding of the University's undergraduate admissions program, including campus implementation of the University's admissions policies.

Demonstrated leadership skills in order to lead high-level meetings, frame meeting agendas, and effectively present thorough and meaningful background materials at the senior management and executive levels.

Effective consensus building and negotiation skills as demonstrated by the ability to exchange ideas, information, and opinions in order to formulate programs, policies and procedures, as well as equitably arrive at decisions, conclusions, and/or solutions.

Must have, or demonstrated ability to quickly acquire, a strong command of the political climate in which policy and programmatic decisions are made at the University, and must understand the University's overall goals and priorities as they relate to undergraduate admissions.

Exceptional analytical skills in order to extract relations between apparently unrelated items and divide ripple effects of an action in one area on outcomes in other areas. Demonstrated ability to anticipate the effect of proposals and ideas on various constituencies, understand the policy implications of ideas for program structure, and determine the technical implications of proposals for campus operations and workload considerations.

Excellent quantitative skills to research, extract, review, organize, and report pertinent policy and data analysis and reporting; identifying relationships, patterns, and trends; defining key issues; and communicating findings to other staff in a presentable format.

Effective problem-solving skills to understand complex, unstructured problems; focus on key issues; research, gather, and integrate information; and participate with others across organizational lines in developing a wide range of qualified resources and data as the basis for formulating recommendations and developing approaches to resolving issues and problems.

Proven knowledge and understanding of project management concepts, practices, standards and processes as demonstrated by experience working in a leadership capacity in a collaborative environment, building consensus, promoting an exchange of information among technical and non-technical collaborators, and successfully leading the implementation of complex projects.
Required

Project management skills, including the ability to set project objectives, determine and address potential barriers, identify required resources, identify process steps and milestones, and adjust action plans to achieve desired outcomes.

Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare materials ranging from detailed, thorough analyses to concise summaries and talking points on complex issues for a variety of audiences at all levels of an organization, often under tight deadlines.

Excellent verbal communication skills as demonstrated by the ability to effectively convey and explain information and tactfully deal with diverse audiences, situations, and ideas as well as interpret and explain technical statistical data for non-technical audiences. Demonstrated ability to think quickly on own feet, and command respect in negotiations with high level personnel.

Outstanding interpersonal skills, judgment, and political acumen to support the cross-functional nature of the role. Must be able to generate and pursue leads, initiate contacts, and engender the trust of contacts in order to ferret out the behind-the-scenes activity and underlying agenda of various constituencies.

Excellent organizational skills sufficient to adapt to constantly changing priorities in managing a wide range of projects.

Demonstrated ability to work under a high level of independence in order to perform policy and operational analyses, formulate institutional recommendations based upon these analyses, and implement operational and programmatic changes as a result of these recommendations.

Demonstrated ability to work with a substantial level of detail while maintaining a broad strategic perspective.

Proficiency with PC and MS Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word); electronic mail, the Internet, and online calendaring system.
Required

Advanced degree (Masters or Doctoral) in the social sciences or a quantitative field.

Familiarity with UC campuses' systems and operations related to undergraduate admissions programs.
Preferred



How to Apply
For complete job description and application instructions, visit: https://jobs.ucop.edu

About us
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 corporate headquarters to the ten campuses, five medical centers and three Department of Energy National Labs and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.





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