Assistant Program Manager - Sanford Stem Cell - 140871

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health’s Sanford Stem Cell Institute seeks an experienced administrator to provide executive-level support, manage schedules, travel, and special events, and assist with grant-related activities. This role partners with Center leadership to ensure smooth operations and timely reporting.

The position emphasizes confidential documentation handling, NDA/MOU management, and coordination across university departments, donors, and researchers to advance stem cell initiatives.

Qualifications

• Seven years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus three years of related experience/training.
• Thorough knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and/or personnel management.
• Executive level administrative experience in order to perform the essential functions of the position including office administration and management, complex scheduling, international and domestic travel arrangements, and long-range planning.
• Strong skills in communication, organizational planning, and cross-functional coordination.

Responsibilities

• Oversee scheduling, calendaring, and coordinating complex meetings, travel arrangements, speaking engagements, and special events for the Center.
• Prepare executive briefings, stakeholder-facing materials, and reports to support university partnerships and research initiatives.
• Manage confidential documentation, NDAs, MOUs, MTAs, and document control with rigorous approval workflows.
• Assist Center faculty with grants and maintain high-quality status reporting across multiple projects.

Job description

Payroll Title

ADMIN OFCR 3 CX

Department

Sanford Stem Cell Institute

Hiring Pay Scale

$83,039.76 - $102,009.24 / Year

Worksite

La Jolla

Appointment Type

Career

Appointment Percent

100%

Union

CX Contract

Total Openings

1

Work Schedule

Days, 8 hrs/day, Monday-Friday

Filing Deadline

Mon 8/31/2026

#140871 Assistant Program Manager - Sanford Stem Cell

Description

In 2022, businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford committed $150 million to the creation of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UC San Diego. This gift combines current infrastructure with new Centers intended to leverage the advantages of space-based science, including expansion and, in some ways, quite literally launch stem cell research and regenerative medicine at UC San Diego into new spaces, endeavors, and training of future stem cell scientists.

Sanford Stem Cell Institute provides essential physical and human resources needed to leverage stem cell research currently being conducted at UC San Diego. Due to the complexity of regenerative medicine projects and substantial institutional investment, daily Sanford Stem Cell Institute personnel work with all 9 Vice Chancellor areas: Academic Affairs; Research Affairs; Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; Student Affairs; Marine Sciences; Health Sciences; Health System; Chief Financial Officer; Advancement; Resource Management and Planning.

As part of UC San Diego, Sanford Stem Cell Institute motivates University-wide change, sustainability, and partnership, focusing on creating the structure under which various innovative regenerative medicine units and initiatives are developed.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute builds upon a $100 million gift in 2013 from T. Denny Sanford that established UC San Diego as a leader in developing and delivering the therapeutic promise of human stem cells — special cells with the ability to develop into many different cell types and which, when modified and repurposed, have the potential to treat, remedy or cure a vast array of conditions and diseases.

The new UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute includes six (6) stem cell Centers led by Center Directors and Deputy Directors and one (1) Brain Tumor and Neuro-Restoration Program.

• Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research (ISSCOR) Center, for stem cell research that will be conducted in a laboratory bay located aboard the International Space Station currently in low-Earth orbit.
• Sanford Stem Cell Fitness and Space Medicine Center, which conducts in-depth space fitness and orbital medicine that can benefit both astronauts and people living on Earth.
• Sanford Stem Cell Innovation Center, which will support regenerative medicine company development, including contract research in low-Earth orbit.
• Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, which conducts basic and translational stem cell research.
• Sanford Advanced Therapy Center, which provides fundamental tools and services to move basic research findings to next stages, such as early phase trials.
• Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center, which conducts research to accelerate relevant drug and therapy development in regenerative medicine, including clinical trials. The Assistant Program Manager will provide administration and operational support to the ISSCOR leadership and the Center's Project Scientist(s) with the accomplishment of research programs, educational programs, and facilitating the various project needs of the Center.

The professional is experienced in coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across technical, higher education, nonprofit, and public-sector environments, with a consistent record of bringing structure and follow-through to fast-moving contexts. The incumbent will serve as a “right hand” to leadership and technical teams, managing confidential documentation, tracking NDAs, MOUs, MTAs and other agreements, and maintaining rigorous document control and approval workflows. Will prepare executive briefings, stakeholder-facing materials, and reports, and for supporting university partnerships and research-adjacent initiatives through meticulous meeting preparation, milestone tracking, and action-item follow-up.

Experience managing multiple concurrent projects, coordinating cross-functional communication between office staff, field or technical teams, and external stakeholders, and overseeing event or donor-related logistics. Maintains high-quality status reporting, and adapts to evolving priorities while keeping diverse teams aligned.

The incumbent will oversee scheduling, calendaring, and coordinating/planning complex meetings, travel arrangements, speaking engagements, and special events for the Center. Incumbent compiles and administers reports for professional and academic committees or conferences. Assist Center faculty with grants.

Will have fiduciary responsibility to ensure the Center's budget is managed responsibly. Will support with procurement of Center supplies, and reconciling procurement, travel, end entertainment expenses.

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 08/19/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Seven years of related experience, education/training, OR an Bachelor’s degree in related area plus three years of related experience/training.
• Thorough knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and / or personnel management. Strong experience working with research staff on HR actions including hiring, renewals, extensions, resignations, etc.
• Knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines. Analytical and judgment skills to conduct troubleshooting and develop appropriate recommendations. Ability to work effectively with vendors, and support personnel.
• Solid knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs. Outlook.
• Thorough knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and / or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees. Broad knowledge of Human Resources and fiscal / budgetary policies and procedures.
• Executive level administrative experience in order to perform the essential functions of the position to include office administration and management, complex scheduling, international and domestic travel arrangements, and long range planning.
• Interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills. Highly effective communication and presentation skills to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner to diverse groups. Demonstrated interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, flexibility and ability to work with a diverse population including persons from distinct cultural backgrounds. Capable of performing at a high level within a team environment.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality. Commitment to creating a positive, supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-solving, and customer service. Strong planning and management skills. Proven ability to multitask and work independently while effectively organizing and prioritizing a high volume of responsibilities to meet deadlines. Skilled at quickly adapting to changing priorities while exercising sound judgment and taking initiative.
• Experience working with faculty.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and organize information obtained and prepare completed work for presentation.
• Extensive experience in managing, organizing and coordinating special conferences and overseeing and coordinating outreach efforts.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical abilities to recognize potential problems, independently resolve problems, communicate higher level problems to supervisor, to evaluate and suggest solutions and recommendations, and to develop and initiate a plan to complete job goals efficiently and effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience with Concur, Oracle, Kuali, PaymentWorks.
• Experience preparing contract and grant proposals and submitting contract and grant applications.
• Working knowledge of and experience in preparing recruitment plans and assisting with coordinating faculty recruitment plans; experience in drafting recruitment plan, position description, and advertisement, ensuring they meet with campus regulations.
• Experience working with academic file submissions.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Occasional overtime and irregular hours.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $83,040 - $120,979 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $39.77 - $57.94

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands‑on practice and in‑person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational — or "bench-to-bedside" — research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician‑scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

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.

For the University of California’s Anti‑Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, 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