Project Director, California ABP (7399U) #80113

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Located within the world's finest public university and one of the most diverse regions in the nation, the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare strives to transform the systems that perpetuate poverty and social disadvantage. Berkeley Social Welfare develops effective leaders and scholars committed to solving complex social problems; produces, disseminates and utilizes research to improve social-service delivery and policy through critical thinking and evidence-based knowledge; and prepares the next generation of culturally-competent social workers, researchers and teachers dedicated to serving the most vulnerable members of our society.

Within the School, the Sexual Health and Reproductive Equity (SHARE) Program is committed to conducting rigorous, community-engaged research to advance the understanding of what it takes for individuals to have the families they envision, to realize reproductive self-determination, and to experience healthy sexuality.

This position will direct the California Abundant Birth Project (ABP) Evaluation study. ABP is a guaranteed income program for pregnant people with risk factors for preterm birth. Originally a pilot program in San Francisco, the California ABP will serve at least 725 pregnant people in 4 counties (Los Angeles, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Riverside). The longitudinal California ABP Evaluation Study will focus on the subset of participants who identify as Black or African/American. The Evaluation will use community-based participatory research approaches to understand the impact of ABP on adverse pregnancy outcomes, stress, and mental health.

The First Review Date for this job is September 4, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted through September 20, 2025. For full consideration, please apply by this date.

• Leads and directs coordination across the 4 study geographies for CA-ABP, and follows through with all levels of staff and individuals inside and outside the organization. Monitors staffing levels to ensure seamless data collection activities. Develops systems of communication and project management to meet project goals.Oversee implementation of study protocols, including recruitment and retention practices. Ensure protocols are culturally relevant and respectful. Work with staff to implement systems that support participant retention, ensuring continued engagement and maintaining the required sample composition.
• Provides analyses for complex budget, academic data collection, systems and resource projects; advises investigative team of required changes in project budget or other design issues.
• Manages the multi-year study budget, including multiple grants and contracts. Ensures that monthly spending is appropriate and reconciles charges, identifies projected deficits and balances within individual funding sources, develops strategies for reallocating funding to better meet study needs, coordinates with research administration to correct charges as needed, and maintains monthly projections for the full project.
• Provide direct supervision to research coordinators and research assistants, including setting expectations, offering regular feedback, and supporting professional development. Offers mentorship to the broader team as needed to build or develop their research and other professional capacities.
• Refines and maintains a project management system for the study to ensure the large team stays aligned with study goals and remains accountable to the project workplan. Revise the workplan as needed over time. Ensure milestones are planned for and tracked, identifying opportunities for early intervention when the project is offtrack.
• Oversee implementation of data quality monitoring and quality assurance activities to ensure high-quality data and data security, including supervising staff who are responsible for individual activities. Liaise with Data Manager as needed when quality problems related to the data collection platform are identified. Supervise regular and secure backups of data.
• Coordinate with program staff with the CA-ABP lead partner Expecting Justice regarding implementation concerns with significant logistical and budgetary implications.

• At least 3 years of relevant, full-time project management experience in a public health or social science research setting.
• Highly skilled in all levels of project management, as demonstrated by progressive experience in project coordination, research field work and project coordination, or closely related experience in research, public health, or related environment
• At least 4 years of full-time experience working on a social science or public health research project with primary data collection activities. Thorough knowledge of research data collection activities, data collection procedures and protocols.
• Commitment to and demonstrated experience working with Black communities.
• Demonstrated experience managing an operational budget consisting of multiple grants, including compliance and reporting.
• Highly skilled communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with others, both verbally and in writing.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, prioritize projects and meet the demands of a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Adaptable to quickly changing priorities.
• At least 2 years experience directly supervising, training, and mentoring full-time staff.
• Ability to take initiative and solve problems independently while understanding when to seek guidance from manager or others.
• Able to write at a level suitable for production of scholarly publications.
• Expert in problem-solving implementation challenges in complex programs or research projects.
• Demonstrated experience navigating bureaucracy to implement programs or research projects.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Able to travel up to 5% time and work occasional evenings/weekends.

• Broad academic knowledge of or applied background in social science or health research with human subjects proven by 3-5 years of successful planning, initiation, execution, and reporting of previous investigations.
• Substantive expertise in maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, social determinants of health, and/or guaranteed income programs.
• Experience submitting and maintaining Institutional Review Board protocols for human subjects research.
• Experience in translating research into policy recommendations.
• Advanced skills in quantitative or qualitative data analysis, as demonstrated by publication history.
• Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

This is a one-year, full-time contract position.

This position is eligible for full UC Benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. 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, analysis of internal equity, 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 budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000-$125,000 annually.

This is not a visa opportunity.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

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.

"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. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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 status under state or federal law.