Chief Administrative Officer - 141758

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer to supervise administrative operations across the Anthropology Department and the Global Health Program. The CAO will advise department leadership, align resources with strategic objectives, and manage complex programs within a publicly funded academic setting.

The role requires advanced budgeting, HR and facilities knowledge, plus strong analytical and communication skills to support diversity, inclusion, and operational excellence in a

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets and adapt objectives to changes in resources.
• Advanced knowledge of University rules, procedures, and fund management.
• Experience with student services, HR policies, and fiscal management in an academic setting.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills for financial and space data.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administrative operations for the Anthropology Department and Global Health Program.
• Lead professional and support staff, supervising HR, budgeting, facilities and communications.
• Plan short and long term goals, and use judgment to resolve complex organizational issues.

Skills

Budget management

Leadership

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related area

Higher-Ed admin experience

Tools

Budgeting software

Job description

Payroll Title: ADMIN OFCR 4

Department: ANTHROPOLOGY

Hiring Pay Scale: $109,550 - $147,450/year

Worksite: Campus

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: Uncovered

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: 8 hrs/day, Mon - Fri

#141758 Chief Administrative Officer

Filing Deadline: Thu 10/22/2026

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/13/26 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.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution that provides opportunity for all. Recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide, a culture of collaboration sparks discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact.

The Department of Anthropology offers a full range of courses in archaeology, biological, social, cultural, environmental, psychological, political, and linguistic anthropology subject areas. Anthropology stands at the nexus between the social sciences, biological sciences, and humanities. It is dedicated to understanding the worldwide diversity of social institutions and cultural traditions, past and present, as well as to studying human origins in the context of primate evolution. The Anthropology Department’s undergraduate program serves approximately 250+ majors, 40+ minors, with 50+ PhD graduate students, 22 faculty, and 10+ visiting lecturers per academic year.

The Global Health Program (GHP) is a newer interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program at UC San Diego, beginning in Fall 2014. It is a field of study directly concerned with achieving equity in health for people worldwide. The program has faculty participation from the Schools of Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Arts & Humanities, the School of Medicine, the Rady School of Management, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Global Health Program is administered through the Department of Anthropology and currently serves a population of 300+ majors, over 200+ minors, and 15+ MA.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reports to the Department Chair and the Program Director and has a dotted line reporting to the School of Social Sciences Senior Assistant Dean. As a principal advisor to the Chair and Program Director, the CAO uses advanced administrative concepts to achieve organizational objectives and to resolve complex issues. The CAO manages, plans and coordinates the administrative operations of the Anthropology Department and the Global Health Program, the operations of which are significantly complex and broad in scope. Administrative operations activities are the predominant focus of the position; supervising professional and support staff in academic and human resources personnel, student services, fiscal management, facilities and communications. The CAO performs short and long term planning and regularly works on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors and exercise of judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve goals can result in additional costs, and serious delays in overall schedules.

• Please submit a cover letter along with a resume for a complete application.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets and adapt objectives to changes in resources. Thorough knowledge of the University budget process.
• Advanced knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols and procedures for budget, accounting and fund management, and/or personnel management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student affairs functions and educational support systems.
• Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and/or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees.
• Advanced 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in space and facilities management including analysis, funding, design, construction and renovation of buildings and labs.
• Skill to analyze large quantities of data (financial, space, workload) and to identify objectives and constraints, and to develop effective recommendations.
• Leadership skills and experience with ability to apply management principles, practices and techniques in the conduct of business for complex multi-discipline, publicly-funded academic research department. Demonstrated ability to use initiative, creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish duties. Ability to assess unique needs of department.
• Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.
• Advanced interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
• Four (4) years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus two (2) years of related experience/training.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving and customer service.
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a University setting and the ability to instill and maintain appropriate standards of behavior and feedback.
• Demonstrated high-level skill in assessing needs and developing strategies to support diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to establish appropriate controls and operate effectively within a control environment.

PREFERRED:

• Demonstrated ability to interact positively and effectively with a range of constituents, including PIs, program staff, outside agencies, and UCSD centralized services.
• Academic Department administrative leadership experience, including finance, budgeting, human resources, faculty affairs, and faculty recruitment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon a satisfactory clearance based on background check results. Occasional overtime and weekends may be required.
• Duties may require direct contact with children (defined as individuals under the age of 18). Completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) form is required.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $90,600 - $166,400 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $43.39 - $79.69

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).

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.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "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

Prospective employees who are ordinarily residents in Iran or who are physically located in Iran are generally not eligible to for employment per suspension of General License G on 24 August 2026. If you have ever resided in Iran or have an Iranian passport and would like to confirm your eligibility, please contact [e-mail] for consideration of your particular circumstances.