K to 14 Academic Preparation Manager (on-site)

University of California - Merced; California; On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Merced is seeking a Director of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances. You will oversee the We Will! Collaborative, manage staff, and coordinate K-20 partnerships across the San Joaquin Valley, ensuring grant goals are met and data-informed decisions guide strategy.

Reporting to the AVC and collaborating with CEP data analysts, you will drive program evaluation, budget oversight, and cross-sector collaboration to improve regional educational outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution; advanced degrees preferred.
• 5+ years overseeing educational programs or similar leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of evaluation methodologies and data-driven decision making.
• Ability to build collaborations across K-12, postsecondary, and workforce partners.
• Experience with grant writing, budgeting, and reporting for funded programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances and staff.
• Lead the We Will! Collaborative and coordinate K-20 service models.
• Evaluate outcomes, monitor grants, and ensure program objectives are met.
• Develop strategic plans, budgets, and partnerships with stakeholders.
• Coordinate data collection, analysis, and reporting for CEP initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Policy analysis

Grant writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area/field

Advanced degree in related area (preferred)

Doctorate in related area (preferred)

Tools

SPSS

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000 - $135,000.

This is a contract appointment eligible for UC benefits.

Initial applicant review will take place on or about November 16,2026. Posting will remain open until filled.

Location for this position may be either Merced or Fresno.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,600 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About the Job

The Director of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships with a dotted reporting line to the Senior Director. The Director will oversee the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances, staffing, and work portfolio, overseeing all K-20 regional alliances. The Director will have direct oversight of the state-funded We Will! Workforce and Educational Collaborative in the Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin tri-county, with general supervision of UC Merced's involvement in regional K-16 collaboratives and district-centered P-20 projects (i.e., Bridging the Gap in Mathematics). Demonstrates extensive experience in intersegmental, multi-sector systems with proven outcomes for the system and the people it serves. Recommends changes to the Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) program policies and practices in effective collaboration with the Offices of K-14 Federal Programs and State Academic Preparation and Educational Programs (SAPEP). Identifies risks, threats, and/or opportunities and responds accordingly. Provides priority setting and workflow analysis. Administers policies that directly affect subordinate staff and provides direction to staff according to established policies and AVC guidance.

Under the general direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships, the incumbent is responsible for direct supervision of the We Will! Collaborative and has general oversight of K-20 service models, supports, and educational partnerships to ensure compliance and progress toward meeting grant and program objectives. Serves as lead and facilitator for the We Will! Collaborative. Manages discussions and helps bridge ideas from K-12, postsecondary, and industry partners. Facilitates, plans, guides, and manages the We Will! Collaborative planning phase grant, implementation grant, and workgroup priorities. Facilitates with impartiality to ensure the collaborative performs all tasks, makes decisions, and solves problems with equity of voice.

The incumbent supports the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships in developing short-term and long-term strategic organizational plans. Ability to act on the vision and strategies of the region to increase capacity, strengthen leadership, and develop partnerships. In addition, the incumbent provides leadership using professional experiences, educational expertise, and best judgment to coach and lead collaboratives in developing equitable practices/procedures that support county and districtwide improvement.

Provides leadership for the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances, with daily supervision of the assistant director, business officer, and policy analysts. Collaborates with the Office of Data Analysis and Evaluation for technical training and development of skills in data analysis and policy assessment, direction on K-16 projects, evaluation of projects, and approved deliverables for all K-16 stakeholders. Collaborates with programmers in projects, database enhancements, reports, and data collection elements. Designs, plans, and oversees the accountability framework for the We Will! Collaborative and K-20 partnerships. Ensures the Center for Educational Partnership is leading and implementing the P20 Regional Alliance work throughout the San Joaquin Central Valley.

Finally, the incumbent supports the Center for Educational Partnerships' grant writing, submission, fiscal management, reporting efforts, and data collection to ensure all grant outcomes are met.

Key Responsibilities

1. Oversees the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances and reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships. Acts on the vision and strategies of the region to increase capacity, strengthen leadership, increase capacity, and develop partnerships with K-12, postsecondary, and workforce. Provides research that helps evaluate and inform procedural systems for K-12 preparation program administration. Incumbent displays advanced expertise in identifying research‑based innovative approaches to K-20 student, parent, and district‑centered services that enable the Center for Educational Partnerships to demonstrate high levels of success in working with K-12, postsecondary, and workforce.
2. Demonstrates experience in improving educational and economic outcomes for young people through a systems approach. Daily oversight of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances. Addresses inquiries from the Center for Educational Partnerships Associate Vice Chancellor, WE Will! Collaborative, campus, and/or sponsor agencies regarding K-20 program administration. Oversees and conducts ongoing review/evaluation of office, collaboratives' outcomes, and systemic impact. Ability to act in context with the distinct landscape and culture of each of the regions that UC Merced serves.
3. Evaluates the effectiveness of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances and the WE Will! Collaborative's service to a broad range of audiences, including the state legislature, University of California Office of the President, campus administration, K-12 school districts, postsecondary, and workforce. In partnership with the Center for Educational Partnerships' (CEP) Data Analysis and Evaluation reviews outcomes and relevant research and makes recommendations to support the WE Will! Collaborative! and enhance CEP's programming. Participate in developing and monitoring policies and procedures for CEP's data collection and tool enhancements for unit efficiency. Assists Associate Vice Chancellor in developing measurable ways to assess the effectiveness of academic preparation programs and districtwide partnerships.
4. As part of the Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) leadership team, supports the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships and collaborates with the Directors of the Offices of K-14 Federal Projects and State Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP) in the development of strategic program plans, setting targets, systemic interventions, and policies and procedures. Monitors the progress of the WE Will! Collaborative and K-20 regional alliances and supports their established objectives. Oversees the development, enhancement, and tracking of databases, dashboards, indicators, and tools. Oversees data compilation for grant submissions, monitoring, and reporting.
5. Demonstrates risk taking and the ability to have courageous conversations to navigate the WE Will! and K-20 regional collaboratives' distinctive features of particular situations or activity. Understand the importance of data informed decisions and model that in all decisions and approaches. General oversight in the implementation of K-12 trainings for administrators, faculty, staff, and students on K-12 research, state accountability frameworks, policies, and procedures. Works with CEP administrators to facilitate all ancillary processes involved in developing a grant proposals, pre‑awards, and the data analysis and evaluation research projects.
6. Understands budget development, monitoring and revisions for high quality and accurate reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor, campus, WE Will! Collaborative, K-12, postsecondary and workforce partners and funders. Understand the importance of marketing and messaging the vision and goals of the region regularly and often. Ability to engage and sustain key partners from K12, postsecondary and workforce.
7. Leads the operation and facilitation of the WE Will! Collaborative and the development of plans and professional learning sessions to coach K-12 district staff on using data to identify gaps and pursue evidence-based interventions to close equity and access gaps. Identifies and advices on improvement strategies that aim to close the achievement gap. Promotes policies and services that provide multiple levels of support for K-20 educational partnership efforts, such as technical training and workshops related to academic standards, strategies to increase college eligibility, pathways, admission/ enrollment trends, and workforce. Demonstrates competencies as a facilitator, communicator, and connector.
8. Demonstrates extensive experience in intersegmental, multi-sector systems with proven outcomes for the system and the students it serves. Uses data dashboards and data tools to inform and improve educational practices. Identifies systematic gaps and presents them to stakeholders to inform change. In partnership with the Office of Data Analysis and Evaluation and Technical Assistance (DAE-TA), generates summary reports of findings and shares with stakeholders. Works closely with DAE-TA to perform ongoing evaluation of outcomes and interventions. Reviews outcomes and relevant research and makes recommendations for ways to utilize research to support and enhance the work of the Center for Educational Partnerships to adopt evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes.

*LI-RM1

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related area/field from an accredited institution; and/or
• Advanced degree in related area from an accredited institution (preferred); and/or
• Doctorate in related area from an accredited university (preferred); and
• 5 years progressively responsible experience overseeing an educational program (required).
• Ability to apply a complex array of issues, mental flexibility, and creativity to K-14 state, federal and privately funded programs and/or research compliance.
• History of established relationships with K-14 agencies.
• Managerial experience and proven success in managing a compliance review board committee.
• Knowledge of statistical theories, methods, and applications. Knowledge of advanced SPSS modeling with ANOVA, multiple regressions, longitudinal studies, T-test, chi-square, the test of significance, and advanced SPSS Table Modules. Knowledge of both SPSS syntax language commands and window dialog navigation in generating frequencies, cross-tabulations, means tables, and correlation matrix. Ability to create statistical models for novel analyses and assessments. Ability to choose proper statistical procedures (i.e., multivariate analysis, multiple regression, correlational analysis, etc.) suitable to the data under study.
• Knowledge of K-12 standardized exams and knowledge of A-G college preparatory courses.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications such as Word,* Excel, Access, and PowerPoint; and strong oral and written skills; *
• Ability to access and evaluate internal program effectiveness. Ability to create user‑friendly data reports.
• Ability to act independently with general input and direction; and to work with various individuals in K-12 schools, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, teachers, and others.
• Significant knowledge of evaluation methodologies, data analysis procedures, and systems necessary for technical staff to develop effective data management and evaluation systems.
• Strong leadership skills, including facilitation skills. Must run an effective meeting with the ability to move from ideas to action with the workgroup being led.
• Academic background and recognized expertise in academic development and educational partnerships.
• Leadership experience in academic and / or K-14 education.
• Extensive knowledge of state and national educational structures and policies, current educational theories, and successful educational equity programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in building collaborations between academia, education, and community agencies.
• Extensive knowledge of project management, including program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Expert knowledge of high school graduation and college entrance requirements.
• Expert negotiation skills.

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact [e-mail].

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity: 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.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy: The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify: All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/