Departmental Overview

The Administration Division advances Berkeley's mission by keeping the university operating safely, sustainably, and efficiently. We serve as the backbone of campus-delivering the essential systems, services, and expertise that make Berkeley's teaching, research, and public service possible. Please visit: https://vca.berkeley.edu/home

Position Summary

The Assistant Vice Chancellor & Chief of Staff serves as key strategist and, with the Vice Chancellor and members of the VCA Executive Leadership Team, develops and executes the strategic direction, long- and short-range plans, and innovation initiatives of the Administrative Division. This position has high level authority to represent the Vice Chancellor's views and interests across the Administrative Division and with senior campus leaders and other constituents. Works with the Administrative Division Executive Leadership Team and professional staff in the Immediate Office handling diverse administrative functions such as human resources, resource allocation, operational effectiveness, budget planning and communications. Uses advanced concepts and organizational objectives to resolve complex issues and problems which require analysis of unique issues and/or problems without precedent. Exercises mature judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria, to measure progress and results. Represents the Vice Chancellor on campus committees, temporary task forces, and working groups as they emerge. Provides direction and support to the Division Chief Financial Officer to ensure the Vice Chancellor is fully informed of the financial profile and performance of the division and its constituent departments. Directs and manages the communications and immediate office functions of the Administrative Division and aligns division communications with Strategic Communications. Collaborates with VCA leadership team on various functional and divisional priorities and problem solving; and collaborates with other campus leaders such as other Chiefs of Staff on various campus-wide matters.

Application Review Date

Application review will begin in late July & early August. The position will be open until filled. For full consideration, those interested should submit a cover letter and resume via jobs.berkeley.edu by August 7, 2026.

The search is supported by Berkeley Executive Search (BES), a UC-internal executive recruitment team.

Responsibilities

Divisional and Campus Leadership & Executive Advising

• Represent and advise the Vice Chancellor, Administration (VCA).
• Represents the Vice Chancellor and the Administrative Division in projects and initiatives, both internal and external to the Division, including standing campus-wide committees and episodic projects and task forces.
• Leveraging organizational discipline and drives initiatives, projects, and/or solutions forward.
• Interacts with campus leadership, the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), senior administrators, academic stakeholders, the Office of the President, and outside entities to develop solutions to unique challenges and issues facing the Division.
• Sound and informed judgment to make decisions on behalf of the Vice Chancellor as needed on working groups, task forces, and planning groups.
• Independently assesses data and information and consults with and collaborates with senior administrators to develop and execute solutions to challenges.
• Draws on familiarity with campus systems and processes, and uses business analysis skills to assess complex and critical projects of significance.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key partners internally and externally to the Division.
• Demonstrates political acumen to collaborate with internal and external constituents.
• Advises and conveys project status, impediments, and issues to the Vice Chancellor on committees and projects.
• Advises the Vice Chancellor and other divisional and campus leaders on strategies for change management to ensure success of project objectives.
• Advises the Vice Chancellor and other divisional and campus leaders to ensure alignment of divisional and campus-wide priorities, principles, and values.
• Ensures that there is strategic execution via follow through and follow up.
• In collaboration with the VCA and the ELT, lead division-wide strategic planning and implementation and other divisional programs and initiatives.
• Builds toward a more aligned and collaborative Division.
• Participates in campus-wide leadership committees and senior level working groups.
• Participates in the response of various campus / community crises or emergencies, facilitates with various partners to plan and implement a way forward.

Immediate Office & Division Leadership

• In collaboration with the Division CFO, advise the VCA on the budget planning and process for the division.
• Lead, manage, and provide guidance to the immediate office staff.
• Ensure the VCA is appropriately staffed.

Communications

• In collaboration with the Immediate Office - leads executive communications for the Vice Chancellor and other senior campus leaders to represent the priorities of the Division and University.
• Develops strategies and tactics for deploying effective messages to faculty, staff, students, senior campus leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Develops and executes plans and initiatives to ensure Administrative Division communications align and inform the University community with the goals and priorities of the Vice Chancellor.
• Develops and executes Administrative communication websites, reports, messages, presentations, and events.
• Serve as liaison to Strategic Communications to ensure alignment of Administrative Division communications with broader campus communications priorities, strategies and techniques.
• Provides direct supervision to Berkeley Regional Services communications and indirect (dotted line) coordination of all communication professionals within the Administrative Division including People & Culture, IT, and Capital Strategies.
• Provide key communications support to campus initiatives.
• Builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders within the Division and with the rest of the campus to effectively and efficiently problem solve.

Special Projects

• Provides lead support for projects and initiatives on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and the VCA Executive Leadership Team.
• Independently and collaboratively assesses information and data, determine metrics, assemble committees and working groups, and develop action plans and recommendations.
• Draw on knowledge of campus operations and make recommendations for the development of campus policy and the commitment of resources.
• Stay abreast of trends in higher education management nationwide and globally to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Provide analyses on a broad range of issues, including program proposals.
• Initiates and designs studies, summaries, surveys, narratives, and background materials including approaches and trends that affect the Division and departments.
• Develops communications, leadership facilitation, and meeting management for the Divisional standing meetings.
• Aligns special projects around long-term priorities for the Vice Chancellor.

Required Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of complex organizations and their processes, protocols, procedures, structures, and policies.
• Possess excellent organizational and political acumen to navigate complexity and move things forward and to effectively engage internal and high-level external stakeholders, such as local government, community partners, and/or system-wide leadership, etc.
• Demonstrates advanced strategic thinking and consulting skills in guiding the organization toward workable strategies and solutions.
• Possess organizational discipline to execute on strategies and solutions.
• Knowledge of the organizational environment of higher education and large research universities to understand client priorities, issues, motivations and constraints.
• Advanced consulting, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, project planning and implementation skills.
• Skills to effectively lead highly significant engagements from inception to conclusion.
• Highly-skilled in navigating complex organizations.
• Advanced written, verbal, and presentation skills for influencing and facilitating sustained change, foster collaboration across decentralized units, and support a cohesive organizational culture.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and active listening skills; proven ability to navigate difficult conversations and build authentic trust with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Impeccable managerial and interpersonal skills to set goals and manage accountability.
• Possess strong financial and budget acumen.
• Proven track record of effectively interacting with senior management and at least a few years of supervisory experience to effectively coach/mentor staff.
• Effective, versatile and goal/action-oriented.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to mitigate conflict and reach conflict resolution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of the University of California, or similarly complex, organizational processes, protocols and procedures.
• Working knowledge of the University of California, or similarly complex, organization and system-wide organizational reporting structure, as well as an understanding of the interactive roles of management throughout the organization.
• UC Berkeley and/or UC System experience preferred.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)
• Advanced degree. (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. 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, analysis of internal equity, 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 budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $250,000 - $310,000. The full annual pay scale for this classification is $176,100 - $335,900.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is not a fully remote opportunity.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.