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ORU Chief Administrative Officer - 139313

UC San Diego
United States, California, San Diego
Apr 21, 2026

Torrey Pines Center

10280 North Torrey Pines Road, San Diego, CA 92037, United States
#139313 ORU Chief Administrative Officer Filing Deadline: Tue 5/5/2026
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UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 4/24/26 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.

Job posting will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by 5/5/2026

DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

The VCRI Core Services department supports administrative needs of the VC Research and Innovation's general campus Organizational Research Units (ORUs) in the areas of strategic management and planning, fiscal and fund management, Human Resources and Academic Personnel.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for multiple Organized Research Units (ORUs) under the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, including the Center for Circadian Biology (CCB), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind (KIBM), Institute of Engineering in Medicine (IEM), Center for Comparative Immigration Studies (CCIS), Institute for Neural Computation (INC), and Center for Memory and Recording Research (CMRR).

The Chief Administrative Officer acts as the principal advisor to the ORU Directors of complex research units and is responsible for the management, strategic planning, and leadership of all administrative operations.

Responsibilities include fiscal management of departmental budgets; oversight of contracts, grants, and gifts from a variety of extramural sources; payroll administration; academic, staff, and student human resources; labor relations; policy development; internal controls and risk management; and computing and technical services.

The position oversees the management of laboratories and shops, as well as the inventory, assignment, utilization, and safety compliance of all unit space and facilities. The Chief Administrative Officer exercises a high level of initiative and leadership within the framework of unit and University policies and regulations to achieve both short-term and long-term goals and objectives.

This position may be eligible for a Hybrid flexible work arrangement, which could include a non-standard work schedule, and/or the ability to work off-site part of the time.

Cover letter is strongly encouraged for a complete application.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field and 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Demonstrated management and conflict resolution skills to effectively lead and motivate others. Demonstrated leadership skills and experience with proven ability to apply management principles, practices and techniques in the conduct of business for a complex and growing multidisciplinary, public and privately funded academic research unit.

  • Broad knowledge of the organization's processes, protocols and procedures with a focus on budget, account and fund management and / or personnel management under labor contract(s) and personnel policy.

  • Broad knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; and / or accounting and payroll. Strong human resources management skills including understanding of issues working within a complex higher education organization such as UC San Diego.

  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to exercise tact, resourcefulness, sound judgment, and persuasion when interacting with a diverse university population.

  • Skills in organization and customer service to effectively manage multiple important priorities. Proven ability to organize department work functions in an efficient and effective manner. Proven ability to manage difficult or problematic situations and manage multiple and complex priorities.

  • Broad knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs. Ability to develop, implement, and oversee information management systems.

  • Proven skills to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution.

  • Demonstrated ability to use initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness to accomplish duties.

  • Demonstrated ability to view planning and operational issues in a comprehensive picture both in terms of current complexities and interactions, and in long-term consequences.

  • Skill to analyze large quantities of data (financial, space, workload) and in identifying objectives and constraints, and developing effective recommendations.

  • Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a complex organizational setting and the ability to instill and maintain appropriate standards of behavior and accountability.

  • Knowledge of and ability to implement proper risk management practices.

  • Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets and adapt objectives to changes in resources.

  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in contract and grant administration.

  • Demonstrated ability to establish appropriate controls and operate effectively within a controlled environment.

PREFERRED

  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in space and facilities management including analysis, funding, design, construction, and renovation of buildings and labs.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of UC policies and procedures.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

  • Must have access to reliable transportation.

  • Some evening and/or weekend work may be required.

  • This position requires presence on campus / on-site for a minimum of two (2) days per week.

  • Cover letter is strongly encouraged for a complete application.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $108,100 - $204,900 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $51.77 - $98.13

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).

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If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit 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


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