Sr. Director People, Culture, and Engagement

UCEAP; Goleta (CA); Híbrido; USD 125.000 - 180.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Hybrid work arrangement

Full Benefits

Descripción de la vacante

University of California Education Abroad Program in Santa Barbara seeks a Sr. Director for People, Culture, and Engagement to lead organization-wide people strategy, culture, and engagement initiatives.

You will oversee HR and Alumni Engagement, partner with executive leadership, and drive inclusive, high-performance programs across geographically dispersed teams. You will advise on organizational change, talent management, workforce planning, and related HR functions, aligning priorities with

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Organizational Psychology, HR, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Extensive progressively responsible HR experience including senior leadership roles.
• Experience leading culture, engagement, and change in a complex org.
• Broad HR exposure: employee relations, talent management, compensation, planning, recruitment, performance.
• Direct supervisory experience of professional staff.
• Strong knowledge of organization development and change management.
• Ability to translate priorities into practical people culture strategies.
• Ability to build consensus and lead across boundaries without direct line authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or similar tools.

Responsabilidades

• Provide strategic leadership for people strategy, culture, engagement, HR, and stakeholder relations.
• Oversee HR and Development and Alumni Engagement units and partner with executive leadership.
• Develop and implement inclusive, collaborative, high‑performing work environments.
• Collaborate with UC campuses and international study centers to advance priorities.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable people culture initiatives and programs.

Conocimientos

Leadership experience

HR strategy

Change management

Employee engagement

Organizational development

Talent management

Workforce planning

Recruitment

Performance management

Labor relations

Policy interpretation

Communication

Negotiation

Microsoft 365

Educación

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Herramientas

Microsoft 365

Descripción del empleo

Sr. Director for People, Culture, and Engagement

University of California Education Abroad Program

University of California, Santa Barbara

Summary of Job Details:

The Senior Director for People, Culture, and Engagement provides strategic leadership and organization-wide direction for people strategy, organizational culture, employee engagement, human resources, and stakeholder relations. Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director, the position serves as a key member of UCEAP's leadership team and oversees the Human Resources and Development and Alumni Engagement units.

Working within a complex, geographically dispersed organization, the Senior Director develops and implements strategies, programs, and initiatives that foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and support communication, professional development, and relationship-building across UCEAP's workforce and stakeholders.

The Senior Director also serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, collaborating with UC campuses, international study centers, and institutional partners to advance UCEAP's mission, values, and long-term strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Organizational Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Highly accomplished professional with extensive progressively responsible experience in human resources, organizational development, people and culture, or related organizational functions, including senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational culture, employee engagement, and change strategies in a complex organization.
• Broad experience across multiple HR functional areas, such as employee and labor relations, talent management, compensation, workforce planning, recruitment, and performance management.
• Direct supervisory experience managing professional staff and functional units.
• Strong knowledge of organization development, organizational culture, employee engagement, and change management principles and practices, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into effective people culture strategies.
• Ability to assess organizational needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness, collaboration, engagement, and accountability.
• Broad and substantive knowledge across key human resources functions, such as employee and labor relations, talent management, compensation and total rewards, workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, and employment compliance, with the ability to integrate this expertise to develop holistic, people-centered solutions that support organizational growth and workforce sustainability.
• Ability to interpret and apply organizational policies, requirements, and procedures, and provide sound guidance to organizational leadership.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to develop and motivate staff, establish priorities, foster accountability, and effectively lead teams and functions across disciplines, including areas outside of primary professional expertise.
• Ability to influence, build consensus, and achieve results across organizational boundaries and without direct-line authority.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, with the ability to establish credibility, and build effective working relationships across organizational levels, functions, institutional partners, and geographically dispersed environments.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into action and consistently deliver high-impact results through effective execution, accountability, and follow-through.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution, performance management, and mediation, including navigating sensitive matters and supporting organization change.
• Strong business acumen, sound judgement, discretion, and negotiation skills, with familiarity with strategic and budget planning methods.
• Proficiency using technology and business applications such as Microsoft 365 or similar platform to support communication, collaboration, analysis, and organizational operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education or a similar public institution.
• Experience working in an international or globally distributed organization.
• Experience overseeing or partnering with Development and Alumni Engagement, advancement, or another specialized organizational function outside the primary area of expertise.
• Experience supporting or leading organization-wide people, culture, and/or employee engagement initiatives and events, particularly in a complex or geographically dispersed organization.
• Familiarity with international HR practices, including foreign employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and indirect or seconded employment arrangements.
• Experience with alumni engagement, development, or related stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR, or comparable professional certification.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Hybrid work arrangement: On-site presence required Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, in addition to leadership and staff meetings, delegation visits, training sessions, and other activities as required. Hybrid arrangements are subject to change.
• The University cannot pay or reimburse expenses prohibited by UC policy, including commuting to the designated work location.
• Access to and handling of sensitive and confidential information, including employee and student records, financial information, and strategic plans. Must exercise discretion, restrict access to those with a legitimate business need, safeguard records, and comply with University privacy and data protection requirements.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Salary or Hourly Range:

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $125,000-$180,000/yr.

Full Salary Range:

$123,000 to $237,000/yr.

Working Days and Hours:

M-F, 8-5 Pacific Time or Similar Schedule

Benefits Eligibility:

Full Benefits

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application review begins 11/2/26.

Job # 89480