Department Summary

The UCLA Anderson Capstone Programs are a signature component of the MBA curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to apply graduate management education to real-world business challenges in real time. Administered by the Capstone Office, the capstone requirement is fulfilled through one of distinct program tracks, each designed to develop advanced professional skills through experiential learning: Applied Integrated Research (AIR) pairs student teams with external client organizations to investigate and solve current business challenges. Teams conduct in-depth primary and secondary research - including market assessment, competitive analysis, and AI-enhanced research design - and present strategic, investment-quality recommendations to panels of industry professionals. Faculty advisors with deep industry and academic credentials counsel student teams throughout the six-month engagement.
Business Creation Capstone (BCC) guides teams of student entrepreneurs through the development and launch of an original business venture. Students formulate strategies across sales, marketing, operations, finance, and management; develop and test business hypotheses; and produce a comprehensive implementation plan for their startup. Each team is partnered with a faculty advisor for the duration of the two-quarter program. Advanced Topics in Management Capstone (ATMC) offers students an academically rigorous exploration of specialized management topics, integrating advanced frameworks and current research into applied coursework designed to deepen strategic and analytical capabilities.
Each track is led by a faculty director responsible for curricular direction. The Capstone Office provides operational administration, student services, and external partner relations across all tracks, serving students, faculty, and external stakeholders throughout each academic cycle.
Position Summary

The Director of Academic Programs leads the operational and programmatic administration of the Capstone Office, which oversees the culminating academic experiences for approximately 1,000 MBA students annually. The office manages four primary capstone offerings: Business Creation Capstone (BCC), Applied Integrated Research (AIR), Advanced Topics in Management Capstone (ATMC), and Management Practicum (MP), serving students in the Full-Time MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, and UCLA-NUS Executive MBA programs. These experiential learning programs provide students with opportunities to apply MBA frameworks to complex, real-world business challenges. The Director collaborates extensively with faculty, MBA programs staff, students, and other campus partners to ensure effective program delivery and a high-quality student experience. In partnership with the Senior Associate Dean, the Director develops and implements long-term program goals and continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational excellence, academic quality, and student satisfaction.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications

Ability to supervise, develop, and manage the workload of program support staff, delegating effectively while ensuring consistent and timely follow-through on deliverables (Required)

Ability to exercise independent judgment in managing relationships with faculty directors with varying working styles and levels of administrative involvement, while maintaining operational accountability for program deliverables. (Required)

Ability to identify process inefficiencies and evaluate automation or technology-enabled solutions to improve program administration. (Required)

Proven ability to analyze complex problems and to develop creative and researched solutions and recommendations. (Required)

Demonstrated computer skills with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web development and survey tools. (Required)

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. (Required)

Demonstrated skill in analyzing and identifying problems, assessing possible solutions, formulating courses of action, and making recommendations. (Required)

In depth understanding of MBA education, curricular design, program structure and content, and implications of these areas as they impact the quality of the program. (Required)

Ability to make formal and informal presentations to provide clear and concise information on academic programs, procedures and policies. (Required)

Ability to systematize operations and processes with skill in creating and modifying procedures to increase efficiency. (Required)

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to communicate complex information clearly, concisely, and diplomatically with MBA Students and support staff. (Required)

Skill in negotiating, exchanging ideas, information and opinions with others to formulate policies, practices to arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions or solutions. (Required)

Knowledge of higher education administration, academic program operations, and student services in a graduate or professional school setting, including university policies governing academic programs, student advising, and enrollment. (Required)

Knowledge of experiential learning program models - including applied research, field study, or capstone-style programming - and best practices in student experience design and program assessment. (Required)

Demonstrated skill in managing complex, multi-track academic programs with overlapping deadlines, diverse student populations, and multiple faculty stakeholders with competing priorities. (Required)

Demonstrated listening and conflict resolution skills to deal with students, faculty, staff and university stakeholders professionally and diplomatically. (Required)

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, and administrators, establishing rapport and gaining trust of others. Skill in working in a team environment. (Required)

Skill in setting priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

Master's Degree MBA Preferred. (Preferred)

Bachelor's Degree (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

Schedule

Standard hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered
Complete Position Description

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