Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff - UC-wide Campus Only

THIS IS OPEN TO CURRENT SYSTEM-WIDE UC Campuses ONLY

Not open to non-UC applicants. Only current UC employees or former UC employees with current Preferential Rehire rights will be considered for this position. Former UC employees with current Preferential Rehire rights will need to identify themselves as such in their application to be considered for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 2/25/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Office of the Chancellor at UC Santa Cruz oversees the administration of the university, leads large-scale initiatives, and sets the vision and goals for the university. Office members collaborate consistently with other senior leaders and teams from across the university to align policy and practice with university goals and to support the mission of the university. The Office of the Chancellor is focused on advancing the university's four primary goals: 1) advancing student success by improving retention and graduation rates and closing equity gaps; 2) increasing UC Santa Cruz's research profile and impact; 3) fostering an inclusive campus; and 4) making UC Santa Cruz more efficient, effective, and resilient.

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Chancellor functions as Chief of Staff to the Chancellor, with responsibility for helping to articulate and implement the Chancellor's vision and goals for the campus. In so doing, collaborates regularly with campus leaders. Plays a critical role in strategic planning, decision making, and execution of decisions. Provides analytical support on a broad range of complex issues and resolves or makes recommendations for resolution. Oversees the chancellor's office staff and ensures effective operations, including scheduling, communications, and information flow. Manages initiatives on behalf of the Chancellor. Advises the Chancellor and collaborates with other senior leaders on matters related to policy, programs, personnel, and both internal and external relations. Acts on behalf of the Chancellor as directed and serves as a liaison with campus leaders, the Office of the President, and the Regents. Oversees confidential and sensitive issues for the Chancellor.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $210,000 - $270,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: EXEC ADVISOR MGR 3 (000559), Grade 30

Travel: Up to 5% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Strategic Plans, Programs & Initiatives

• Advises the Chancellor on establishing organizational strategic plans and objectives.
• Conceptualizes and implements initiatives to advance the executive's vision.
• Plans, designs, and implements programs and establishes direction, policies, and procedures for the division.
• Reviews, researches, and communicates with accuracy and discretion. Develops and reviews items requiring the executive's signature by formulating recommendations, presenting options, and drafting clear, well-reasoned responses that support informed decision-making and align with institutional priorities.
• Organizes and supports meetings involving the Chancellor and campus leadership, including the Chancellor's Leadership Group (CLC), the Chancellor's Cabinet, and the Staff Advisory Board.
• Collaborates effectively with the Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor's (EPEVC) office and the Academic Senate. Analyzes communications and requests from the Senate and its committees, drafts, and coordinates responses.

20% - Organizational Leadership

• Assists the Chancellor by identifying and framing systemic issues related to the campus or the system and formulating and advancing approaches to address them.
• Stays well-informed and keeps abreast of higher education's current and emerging issues to provide the Chancellor with a broad perspective across the organization.
• Represents the executive leadership on standing and ad hoc committees. May be required to attend meetings within and outside of California on behalf of the campus.
• Drafts and implements programs and establishes direction and procedures for the Chancellor's Office and Division.
• Assists with executive-level searches and onboarding of new personnel.
• Provides project management for the Chancellor's Office projects, activities, communications, and engagements.
• Provides guidance and expertise to department management in developing techniques and processes, and the use of AI tools.

20% - Compliance

• Oversees Clery Compliance and the implementation of the Clery Program.
• Monitors and/or implements legal or policy compliance measures.
• Ensures that employees within the division remain current with required training.
• Provides oversight of the Title IX, EEO, and Internal Audit functions to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Proactively identifies emerging compliance risks, systemic issues, or areas of concern and elevates them to the Chancellor and campus counsel, partnering in the development and implementation of timely, effective resolutions to mitigate institutional risk.

20% - Management

• Provides management, leadership, oversight, and mentoring to staff.
• Directs and executes the performance management process for direct reports by setting expectations, providing ongoing and timely feedback, and completing formal performance evaluations, in consultation with the Chancellor, to ensure accountability, alignment with goals, and continuous improvement.
• Provides and encourages professional development opportunities for direct reports.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Advanced knowledge of the legal constraints and opportunities for higher education in the State of California and through Federal programs and regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of the organizational environment of higher education and large research universities to understand client priorities, issues, motivations, and constraints.
• Advanced knowledge of organizational processes, protocols, and procedures.
• Demonstrated management skills, with the ability to assess, evaluate, coach, and mentor others.
• Excellent strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent consulting and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent ability to establish mission and goals at the macro-level; to lead subordinate managers to develop goals in alignment with the mission.
• Sophisticated leadership abilities to establish department goals, and motivate and influence others to achieve goals.
• Knowledge of university compliance functions and their effective management, including Title IX, EEO, and internal audit functions.
• Knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; accounting and payroll.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and to advise campus leadership on highly sensitive issues.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security
• Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC * 1092(f)).
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

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.

• "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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.