Assistant VC Campus Life - 140739

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego seeks a visionary AVC-Campus Life to guide student engagement and lead programs that foster belonging, leadership, and well-being. You will work with the Vice Chancellor to set strategy, oversee budget and staff, and partner with student governments and affiliated units to advance a student-centered campus.

The role requires extensive higher education leadership experience, strong advisory skills, and a proven ability to align programs with university goals while advancing equity

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Six years of progressive student-facing higher education experience with at least three years in a supervisory capacity.
• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
• Strong monitoring and evaluation skills with ability to set performance standards and provide feedback.
• Strong project management and intercultural competence.
• Ability to lead cross-campus collaboration and address complex student needs.
• Knowledge of safety, equity, and inclusion in higher education and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Campus Life programs and services.
• Oversee finances, personnel, technology and facilities; ensure sound planning.
• Develop long-term organizational goals and report on outcomes.
• Collaborate with students, faculty, and administrators to address student needs.
• Ensure inclusive practices and compliance with university policies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budgeting & fiscal management

Staff development / supervision

Advising & counseling

Project management

Communication & interpersonal skills

Equity, inclusion & diversity

Stakeholder collaboration

Risk assessment & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

This position will remain open till filled. Initial application review is 8/18/2026.

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

DESCRIPTION

Campus Life enriches the UC San Diego experience by fostering student experience and development beyond the classroom, building community, encouraging involvement, nurturing leadership development, creating intentional opportunities for community engagement and advocating for student needs and perspectives to ensure every Triton thrives. As a critical and visible hub of student engagement and intentional activity, Campus Life strengthens student pride and affiliation while contributing to the University's recruitment, belonging and engagement efforts.

Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life and serving on the Vice Chancellor's leadership team, the AVC-CL plays a key role in advancing the University's mission. The AVC-CL provides vision, expertise, and strategic leadership in shaping the student experience through cross-cutting initiatives, services and programs that support student development, enrich campus life and enhance student well-being through purpose, meaning, inclusion and social connections.

With a current budget of $13 million, more than 30 FTE career staff, and more than 400 student employees, the AVC-CL oversees the Center for Student Involvement (Student Organizations, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Leadership and Communication programs, Community Service and Social Innovation), Associated Students Administration (Associated Students and Graduate & Professional Student Association), Associated Students Concerts & Events, SPACES, the UC San Diego Guardian and the Center for Ethics and Spirituality.

The AVC-Campus Life develops and implements organizational goals through the support, creativity, innovation and engagement of the Campus Life units, university partners and community organizations. The AVC-CL provides innovative leadership in designing, co-leading, campus-wide programs, services, and policies that both anticipate and address students needs, fosters and celebrates collaboration, and upholds university standards. Furthermore, the AVC-CL oversees all financial, human, technological and facility resources; ensures sound fiscal planning; and pursues new funding opportunities to strengthen student programs and is committed to the development of the professional and student employee community.

Serve as a visible and engaged leader who values working with and learning alongside a diverse student, professional and alumni community. Work effectively with student governments, student organizations, student boards, and other key stakeholders at UC San Diego. Establish and implement structures and protocols to maximize coordination and synergy across Campus Life units. Work closely with students and partners to advance an environment of inclusion and equity.

The AVC-CL is evaluated on the overall effectiveness, quality, and positive impact of Campus Life programs and services, ensuring UC San Diego continues to advance as a student-centered university, create meaningful student leadership experiences and engaged out-of-classroom learning experiences. This includes but is not limited to the following 1) Manages a complex Student Affairs function and/or program or several smaller programs. Develops the long-term organizational goals and strategic plans of the organization. Directs subordinate supervisors and/or managers. Has broad program responsibility. Oversees program analysis and evaluation. Effectively manage the financial, human, technical and facility resources. Represents the organization with external organizations. Evaluated on overall program results and effectiveness.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. Advanced degree in related area preferred.
• Minimum (6) years of progressive student-facing professional higher education experience within the area of student engagement, student leadership development, student support or related field with at least three (3) years in a supervisory capacity preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
• Strong skills in monitoring / assessing people, processes or services, to make improvements.
• Demonstrated experience and skill to routinely monitor production and quality of work being produced by staff and set performance standards, observing behavior, providing objective feedback, counseling, and implementing corrective action as needed to mediate disputes or otherwise help to resolve conflicts and to provide effective leadership/coaching/mentoring.
• Strong skills in project management, social perceptiveness to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Demonstrated ability to bring together faculty, colleges and academic administration as well as campus administrators to address complex, student-oriented issues and tasks and provide for mutually-agreed-upon student needs.
• Ability in problem identification, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuasion, leadership, and intercultural competence.
• Ability to identify, define, and evaluate problems, and to plan and develop appropriate long-term and immediate strategies and solutions. Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills, an engaging and participative leadership style, and the ability to collaborate with multiple constituencies.
• Thorough knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Thorough knowledge of Student Affairs / Student Life specialization.
• Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Demonstrated innovative experience in co-curricular and leadership programing, high impact practices and service learning.
• Demonstrated experience with assessing and evaluation of large scale co-curricular and student support programs.
• Knowledge of student leadership development models
• Knowledge and awareness of best practices regarding safety of students involved with co-curricular programs. Knowledge of federal and state policy changes that will affect the scope or practice of Student Affairs.
• Strong organizational skills as well as strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Skilled in effectively conveying information to individuals at various organizational levels. Ability to compose clear, grammatically correct, well-constructed correspondence, reports, and informational materials.
• Knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures. Skills in conceptualizing, analyzing and interpreting broad issues, policies and regulations and in-depth knowledge of and the ability to interpret the policies and procedures relevant to all aspects of student Affairs.
• Knowledge and skills in the management of budgets, personnel and facilities with the demonstrated ability to use these skills effectively.
• Expert command of equity and inclusion principles, frameworks, and their historical/social context within higher education, with the demonstrated ability to strategically integrate these principles into organizational policy, resource allocation and large-scale student services systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the multi-dimensional systemic factors (history, politics, and economy) that impact diverse communities, utilized to advise senior leadership and drive equity-minded organizational change.
• Exceptional skill in adapting communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution strategies to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment and build high-trust relationships with senior leadership, diverse staff, and student populations.
• Proven skill in accurately assessing stakeholder perspectives and feelings across cultural divides to navigate challenging institutional environments and build consensus among diverse leadership, staff, and student groups.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.
• Mandated Reporter: This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and requires immediate reporting of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect of anyone under the age of 18. It is the responsibility of the Mandated Reporter to ensure that they obtain proper training in order to fulfill their reporting responsibilities as required by the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and University policy, and to complete and submit the required reports to the UC San Diego Police Department without delay.
• Work schedule will include evenings, weekends and holidays. Must be able to travel to out-of-town meetings.
• This position is a campus security authority (CSA) for the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which is a federal law requiring disclosure of information about crimes on and around campus.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $111,300 - $211,100 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $53.30 - $101.10

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).