Executive Operating Officer

This position works remotely requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 01-09-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 members (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed - regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

Smarter Balanced staff have a profound commitment to UCSC's Principles of Community including embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demands of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit, and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Executive Operating Officer is accountable for providing executive oversight as it relates to the development and implementation of systems in support of organizational effectiveness, including effective IT services, sound financial practices, human resources that ensure high-quality staff are recruited and retained, and project management that ensures that deliverables are provided to members in a high-quality and timely manner. The Executive Operating Officer serves as part of an Executive Team that jointly oversees the organization and will coordinate intensely with the Executive External Affairs Officer and the Executive Program Officer to ensure that the organization is efficient and effective.

Among the qualifications sought in candidates for this opportunity, perhaps one of the most important is significant (i.e. a minimum of 10 years) executive-level experience overseeing a range of operational functions for a large-scale education or professional certification assessment organization, including Human Capital Planning and Support, Project Management, Information Technology, and Finance Management. The Executive Operating Officer will have familiarity with best practices in Project Management, IT, and Finances and experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote inclusiveness among staff.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $128,800 - $215,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000548 (ADMIN MGR 2)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

50% - System Development and Continuous Improvement

• Provide executive oversight regarding developing and implementing organizational systems for information technology, project management, contracting, human resources, and finance.
• In collaboration with other Executives, develop systems that ensure organizational resources (human and financial) are deployed in a manner that efficiently and effectively supports the Organization's strategic goals.
• Develop systems to monitor and improve services based on regular feedback flows from staff and members.
• In collaboration with other Executives, make recommendations and implement decisions on issues with organizational-wide implications.
• Directly and through subordinate staff, establish systems and processes that are well documented, deployed transparently, support best practices, and effectively meet the needs of the organization's offices and its members.
• Directly and through subordinate staff, measure staff member experience and organizational culture, implementing changes and equitable policies as needed to grow a high-performance culture where team members naturally excel.
• Provide expertise to the Executive Team in addressing information technology, project planning, human resources and finance.

50% - Executive Supervision and Oversight

• Provide expertise and executive oversight regarding development and implementation of equitable and transparent processes for identifying human capital needs, recruiting and retaining high-value diverse team members, and providing professional development opportunities to support team member growth.
• Engage as part of the Executive Leadership Team in setting short- and long-term organizational objectives.
• Establish and/or support consistent performance management expectations, routines and review processes to facilitate team members' growth and development. Collaborate with staff to establish staff's yearly professional goals.
• Model and support managers in the Operating Office to use inclusive and equitable practices that motivate staff and to consistently implement performance management routines to help team members deliver their best work and adjust course when they are not meeting expectations.
• Design and implement a learning agenda to support staff members' understanding of the organization's operational practices.
• Provide executive oversight regarding employees within the Operating Office, including, assessing the work performance of employees and identifying areas that need improvement.
• Ensure that business goals, deadlines, and performance standards are clearly communicated and achieved.
• Ensure that new staff in the Operating Office receive appropriate training and onboarding to engage in their roles effectively.
• Oversee internal project management, contracting, human resources, information technology, and finance to support the strategic direction of the organization and in support of the Program and External Affairs offices.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree in Business Administration or related field and / or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience as a member of an Executive Team leading complex, cross organizational projects for an organization that develops large-scale K-12 educational assessments or professional certification assessments.
• Executive level experience supporting a team that engages in complex, technical and time-sensitive work while maintaining a positive work environment.
• Executive level experience in leading change management activities and managing their impact across multiple organizations.
• Executive level experience in a complex nonprofit organization with accountability for leading a mixture of operational and support functions including information technology, human resources, finance, and project management.
• Experience developing and analyzing organizational strategy including budget development that aligns with the organizational strategies.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote diversity among staff.
• Thorough knowledge of effective supervisory and leadership techniques in managing technical and non-technical staff.
• Strong collaboration and negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to build relationships and work cooperatively and collaboratively with others in a virtual environment.
• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively present technical and non- technical information to large and diverse groups.
• Excellent written skills in communicating technical and and non-technical information to a diverse audience.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to effectively prioritize their work and strategize for long-term outcomes.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional 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; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, 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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination