Lead, Academic Development and Innovation

University of California - San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) seeks a Lead for Academic Development and Innovation to provide strategic leadership and operational direction for a growing portfolio of academic and professional education programs, including implementation science certificates and short courses.

The role involves budgeting, enrollment forecasting, faculty coordination, learner recruitment and support, and program evaluation to advance departmental and institutional priorities with a focus on

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in a related area (PhD, JD, MD, etc.) and/or equivalent experience.
• Academic background and experience in the selected area of research.
• Minimum 5 years of experience independently administering or leading a complex academic, professional education, research, or comparable program.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with program budgeting, financial analysis, revenue forecasting, enrollment forecasting, pricing analysis, or financial performance monitoring.
• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.
• Demonstrated experience of advanced oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Directs strategic leadership and operational direction for a comprehensive portfolio of academic and professional education programs.
• Leads development of financially sustainable educational initiatives and new offerings to expand learner audiences and revenue.
• Oversees financial planning, budgeting, revenue forecasting, and pricing strategies for the educational portfolio.
• Develops learner assessment and program evaluation strategies to measure effectiveness and inform improvements.
• Represents the Department on committees and leads collaborative educational initiatives with internal and external partners.
• Oversees administrative resources including HR, contracts, vendors, and operational support for programs.

Skills

Oral & written communication

Interpersonal skills

Relationship-building

Analytical thinking

Creative thinking

Education

Terminal degree (PhD, JD, MD or equivalent)

MS/MS degree in related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Lead, Academic Development and Innovation provides strategic leadership and operational direction for a growing portfolio of academic, professional, and continuing education programs within the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The position has primary responsibility for managing, strengthening, and expanding the Department's Implementation Sciences Certificate Program while leading the planning and development of new short courses, micro-credentials, certificate programs, and other flexible educational offerings that advance departmental and institutional priorities.

Working with a high degree of independence, the Lead directs the administrative, financial, operational, and programmatic activities required to deliver high-quality implementation science education. The position develops and executes strategies to increase program visibility, enrollment, learner diversity, financial sustainability, and educational impact. Responsibilities include annual program planning, budget and revenue management, enrollment forecasting, course scheduling, faculty coordination, learner recruitment and support, communications, program evaluation, and continuous improvement. The Lead monitors program performance and uses enrollment, financial, learner experience, and workforce data to recommend changes to curriculum delivery, program structure, pricing, marketing, and operations.

Independently oversees a moderately sized academic or research program and represents the program to outside organizations. Oversees all administrative operations, finance, human resources and facilities for program. Designs and develops major program components, and administers the full range of the program's operational requirements. Works with faculty on formulating short-term planning and procedures. Develops and organizes conferences and other public forums. Works under direction of Principal Investigator to establish center agenda, funding, objectives.

Department Summary

The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leader in training, research, and dissemination of implementation science methodologies. The department administers nationally recognized implementation science educational programs, including certificate programs, professional development offerings, and workforce development initiatives that serve learners across UCSF, nationally, and internationally.

The department is committed to developing innovative educational programs that advance the translation of evidence into practice and improve health outcomes. Through collaboration with UCSF schools, departments, centers, and external partners, the department continuously develops new educational opportunities that address emerging workforce needs in implementation science, dissemination and implementation research, health services research, and related disciplines.

Duties & Essential Job Functions

• 25

  Provides strategic leadership and operational direction for a comprehensive portfolio of academic and professional education programs, including implementation science certificate programs, short courses, micro-credentials, executive education, and future educational initiatives in emerging disciplines. Directs all administrative, operational, learner support, technology, communications, and programmatic activities. Establishes strategic priorities, operational policies, performance metrics, and continuous improvement processes while ensuring high-quality educational experiences and alignment with departmental and institutional goals.

  Directs and administers an independent program with complete responsibility for administrative and programmatic activities.

• 15

  Leads the development of financially sustainable educational initiatives by conducting market analyses, workforce assessments, environmental scans, and competitive analyses to identify new educational opportunities. Develops business cases for new short courses, certificate programs, and micro-credentials designed to expand learner audiences and generate revenue. Identifies partnership opportunities with internal and external organizations and develops Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and collaborative agreements that support program growth and long‑term sustainability.

  Identifies and pursues funding opportunities and revenue streams.

• 10

  Directs financial planning for the educational portfolio, including budget development, revenue forecasting, pricing strategies, enrollment projections, financial performance monitoring, and sustainability analyses. Monitors program expenditures, evaluates financial performance, develops recommendations regarding investments and resource allocation, and collaborates with departmental finance staff to ensure sound fiscal stewardship of educational programs.

  Participates in advanced program budgeting and accounting processes to support financial infrastructure of program.

• 10

  Develops comprehensive learner assessment and program evaluation strategies using appropriate educational methodologies for diverse educational formats and learner populations. Designs assessment plans, evaluates learner outcomes, measures program effectiveness, analyzes operational and enrollment data, and recommends improvements to curricula, learner support services, operational processes, policies, technologies, and program delivery models. Develops the infrastructure needed to evaluate both existing and newly developed educational programs.

  Assesses program's effectiveness, and recommends changes to program's content, policies and procedures accordingly.

• 10

  Represents the Department's educational portfolio on departmental, campus, and external committees. Participates in strategic planning initiatives related to workforce development, continuing education, educational innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Provides leadership in identifying future educational priorities and expanding educational opportunities across the Department.

  Serves on committees representing the program, participating in short‑and long‑term planning.

• 10

  Oversees administrative resources supporting the educational portfolio, including financial resources, instructor contracts, consultants, vendors, and operational support services. Coordinates staffing needs for educational programs, develops operational workflows, and ensures appropriate allocation of personnel and financial resources to support current and future educational initiatives.

  Manages financial and HR resources.

• 10

  Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with faculty, UCSF schools and departments, healthcare organizations, government agencies, industry partners, professional societies, and community organizations. Leads cross‑functional initiatives supporting the development of new educational programs and learner audiences. Coordinates collaborative educational initiatives and develops MOUs and partnership agreements that establish shared goals, responsibilities, governance structures, and operational expectations.

  Facilitates the efforts of various departments, managers, and outside constituencies to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration.

• 10

  Supports faculty in the dissemination of implementation science and educational innovation through conferences, workshops, publications, and professional meetings. Collaborates with the Department Outreach Officer to develop marketing, communications, and enrollment strategies for the educational portfolio. Represents the Department at professional meetings and educational forums, promotes departmental educational initiatives, and supports the visibility and reputation of the Department's expanding academic and professional education enterprise.

  in developing research, participates in professional conferences, and provides public relations support.

Required

• Terminal degree in a related area (PhD, JD, MD, etc.) and / or equivalent experience / training require
• Academic background and experience in selected area of research
• Minimum 5 years of experience independently administering or leading a complex academic, professional education, research, or comparable program, including responsibility for multiple program functions.
• Minimum 3 years of experience independently administering or leading a complex academic, professional education, research, or comparable program, including responsibility for multiple program functions.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with program budgeting, financial analysis, revenue forecasting, enrollment forecasting, pricing analysis, or financial performance monitoring.
• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.

• Demonstrated experience of advanced oral and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Minimum MS/MS Degree in related field (basic or social science, higher education administration)
• Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.
• Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.
• Advanced ability to cultivate relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers.
• Experience preparing written analyses, business cases, proposals, reports, or recommendations for organizational leadership or other decision-makers.

• Experience developing business cases, financial models, or sustainability plans for new educational programs, services, or revenue‑generating initiatives.

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10‑campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

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 status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Required

• Terminal degree in a related area (PhD, JD, MD, etc.) and / or equivalent experience / training require
• Academic background and experience in selected area of research
• Minimum 5 years of experience independently administering or leading a complex academic, professional education, research, or comparable program, including responsibility for multiple program functions.
• Minimum 3 years of experience independently administering or leading a complex academic, professional education, research, or comparable program, including responsibility for multiple program functions.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with program budgeting, financial analysis, revenue forecasting, enrollment forecasting, pricing analysis, or financial performance monitoring.
• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices.

• Demonstrated experience of advanced oral and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Minimum MS/MS Degree in related field (basic or social science, higher education administration)
• Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.
• Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.
• Advanced ability to cultivate relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers.
• Experience preparing written analyses, business cases, proposals, reports, or recommendations for organizational leadership or other decision-makers.

• Experience developing business cases, financial models, or sustainability plans for new educational programs, services, or revenue‑generating initiatives.