Professor of Practice / Executive Director for the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) Program

The Rady School of Management's Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) is a self-supporting program that admitted its first cohort of 42 students in the summer of 2016 and its most recent cohort of 170 students in the summer of 2024 across our full time and part time programs.

The Professor of Practice (JPF04090) will serve as the Executive Director of the MSBA, a position that requires an individual with senior-level experience and a unique blend of academic expertise, familiarity with industry practice, and a broad network of industry contacts that can facilitate graduate employment outcomes and liaise with local and global companies. Preparing our students for employment in the business analytics sector requires intimate knowledge of the profession including the types of analytical skills and quantitative profile that our students must develop to be competitive in the marketplace. Appointees should be distinguished professionals, either practicing or retired, with specific expertise in their fields, but without traditional academic backgrounds. They contribute primarily to teaching and/or research programs, with service to the University based upon their practical professional experience. By bringing together academic excellence, knowledge of industry demand profiles, and industry contacts at the highest level, the Executive Director will ensure that we attract the very best students, achieve outstanding employment outcomes, and further add to the program's reputation.

This position will report to the Rady School of Management's Associate Dean of Faculty and Research, and coordinate activities with the Faculty Co-Director(s) of the MSBA program. The primary responsibilities are:

Drive long-term program success: The long-term success of the program will depend on (1) attracting top students, (2) educational excellence, (3) program administration, growth, and continuous improvement, (4) employment outcomes, and (5) corporate and alumni engagement. The Executive Director will share responsibility for each of these success factors and work closely with staff in Graduate Admissions, the Career Management Center, Graduate Student Affairs, Marketing and Communications, Academic Personnel, and Finance as well as with faculty to ensure performance goals are met. The Executive Director will develop and refine an annual strategic plan, including KPIs and enrollment targets, with input from functional area directors (Admissions, Graduate Student Affairs, Career Management Center), faculty, alumni, and industry partners.

Student Internships and Jobs: The market for internships and jobs in business analytics is highly competitive. Internships and employment outcomes are a critical factor for the success of the MSBA program. The program director will work closely with staff in the Career Management Center to improve student employment outcomes (i.e., internships and full-time positions).

Program management: The position provides formal oversight for all curricular matters relating to the program. The Executive Director also partners with the Admissions, Student Affairs, and the Career Management Center, to ensure the success of the annual strategic plan, and advises on operational and administrative aspects that will enhance the admission team's ability to recruit top students and provide an outstanding student experience. Critical to this position (and for achieving students' goals) is the development of a comprehensive strategy that prepares students for the job market and maximizes employment outcomes. The Executive Director will work closely with staff in the Career Management Center such that the strategy is effectively implemented and evaluated by formalized outcome measures.

Interface with Industry Sponsors: The success of the MSBA program will be defined, to a large extent, by its interaction and contacts with industry. We need an individual who can leverage their professional network to seek out new connections, ensuring that MSBA students (i) are successfully matched with internships and job opportunities, and (ii) have an excellent educational experience in the Capstone course.

Rady MSBA graduates have secured roles and advanced in their careers at great companies all over the world. The Executive Director will interact with and further expand this network. All stakeholders aim to enhance the program's reputation and increase the value of a Rady MSBA degree. The Executive Director will also contribute to the research mission of the school by setting up collaborations between companies and research faculty at Rady.

Capstone Project Supervision and Management: The Capstone Project is an essential element of the MSBA program. It is designed to prompt students to apply the knowledge and technical skills gained in the classroom to complex, realistic, business problems faced by corporate partners. The Executive Director is the primary responsible party for soliciting and scoping capstone projects.

The Executive Director is expected to supervise several capstone projects which includes meeting with student teams on a regular basis to monitor their progress and quality of work, and ultimately assess student performance on the project.

The Executive Director will monitor student engagement and satisfaction with the Capstone experience.

At least 5 years of experience in the business world providing high-level administrative management, including planning, leadership, and analysis.

Masters degree in Data Sciences, or another related, quantitative field, including but not limited to Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Operations, Information Technology, Management, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, or Political Science.

A PhD or equivalent degree in Data Sciences, or another related, quantitative field, including but not limited to Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Operations, Information Technology, Management, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, or Political Science.

An ability to network with national and international business and academic contacts.

An ability to successfully address the educational and academic needs of a diverse student population, including developing and updating curriculum and instructional strategies for the educational advancement of students from groups who are underrepresented in higher education.

Excellent communication skills and cross-cultural abilities to maximize effective collaboration with a diverse community of campus and external colleagues.

Experience with teaching and development of graduate-level courses.

Letters will be solicited for final candidate.

The University of California, San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer advancing academic excellence across the board. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, covered veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy, local, state, and federal laws.

As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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