Hybrid Program Portfolio Lead – Academic & Ops Strategy

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Extension oversees a defined portfolio of academic programs and certificates, providing supervisory, strategic, academic, and operational leadership to ensure quality and efficiency across instructor and student experiences.

The role collaborates with Teaching & Learning, Marketing and Communications, Academic Advising, Student Success, and Enrollment Management, serving as the Director's operational designee when needed, and guiding staff through onboarding and high-performance teamwork.

Qualifications

• 5+ years minimum experience in managing academic or professional education programs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, well crafted reports, course descriptions, marketing copy, and correspondence.
• Knowledge of curriculum development, adult learning theory, and educational operations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Advanced project and time management abilities, including planning, prioritizing, and managing multiple tasks under shifting deadlines.
• Experience with basic marketing and market research principles to support program promotion and audience targeting.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, follow through on projects with minimal supervision, and maintain accountability for results.
• Demonstrated project leadership and coordination skills, including workflow organization, cross functional collaboration, onboarding support for instructors, and fostering a supportive, high performance team environment without formal supervisory authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher), Adobe Acrobat, and general Windows based applications.
• Strong quantitative and financial analysis skills, including budget preparation, trend analysis, and interpretation of financial data; Ability to collect, interpret, and present data to inform the Director's decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic and administrative units and represent the portfolio in cross functional initiatives.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and university business policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervisory, strategic, academic, and operational leadership for a defined portfolio of academic programs.
• Oversee staff and ensure academic excellence and operational efficiency.
• Align program delivery with workforce and community needs.
• Collaborate with Teaching & Learning, Marketing and Communications, Academic Advising and Student Success, and Enrollment Management.
• Serve as the Director's operational designee when assigned.
• Support instructor onboarding and foster a high-performance team environment.
• Produce clear reports and course descriptions.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Curriculum development

Adult learning

Analytical skills

Project management

Marketing basics

Teamwork

Leadership without authority

MS Office

Budgeting

Cross-functional collaboration

Accounting principles

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

UCLA Extension oversees a defined portfolio of academic programs and certificates, providing supervisory, strategic, academic, and operational leadership to ensure quality and efficiency across instructor and student experiences.

The role collaborates with Teaching & Learning, Marketing and Communications, Academic Advising, Student Success, and Enrollment Management, serving as the Director's operational designee when needed, and guiding staff through onboarding and high-performance teamwork.