Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Success and Equity

*This position is located on the main UCSC campus and may be considered for partial remote work (subject to the terms of a telecommuting agreement). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working in person at a UCSC worksite.

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: 03-19-2026

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 Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) provides campus-wide coordination and leadership for student success programs and activities across departments, divisions, colleges, and administrative units. The Student Success and Equity portfolio of departments is a branch of DSAS focused on academic support services, advising/counseling, student life / co-curricular programming, student identity development, and retention/student success initiatives.

Student Success and Equity provides services to the campus community with over 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students and has over 75 career employees and 475 student staff employees operating across eight facilities/locations. The Student Success and Equity area includes a wide array of multi-disciplinary academic and non-academic units including: Disability Resource Center (DRC), Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), Learning Support Services, Services for Transfer, Re-entry and Resilient Scholars (STARRS), Renaissance Scholars Program, Veteran Resource Center, African American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC), American Indian Resource Center (AIRC), Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center (AA/PIRC), Chicano/Latino Resource Center (El Centro), Women's Center (WC), the Lionel Cantu Queer Center (LGBTQ+), Undocumented Student Services (USS), the UCSC Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives (HSI) grant and campus committees/programs, and the Administrative and Business team for the unit.

The Student Success and Equity area includes all of the units and over 125 state, federal, student service fees and gift fund sources and an annual operating budget of nearly $20 million dollars.

More information can be found at: https://studentsuccess.ucsc.edu/division/units/sse/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Equity (AVC SSE), the Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative, project, and communications support to advance the mission and initiatives of Student Success and Equity. This position plays a key role in coordinating complex calendars and travel, supporting strategic projects and events, and ensuring smooth operations across the division.

The Executive Assistant exercises independent judgment in prioritizing tasks, managing sensitive information, and anticipating needs in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. The role requires exceptional organizational skills, discretion with highly sensitive information, and the ability to navigate complex issues and relationships with professionalism and tact.

The Executive Assistant will address problems of diverse scope that will require demonstrating good judgment in selecting and suggesting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $75,849.52 - $80,482.38 / Annually. 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: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: CX - Clerical & Allied Services

Job Code Classification: 004702 (EXEC AST 3 CX)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

40% - Executive Support

• Manages the AVC SSE's complex calendar, prioritizing requests and commitments in alignment with divisional goals and campus priorities.
• Coordinates meetings, events, and travel arrangements, ensuring all logistics, materials, and communications are handled seamlessly.
• Serves as the administrative liaison for SSE leadership teams, campus committees, and project groups.
• Tracks key initiatives and action items, maintaining clear documentation and follow-up systems to ensure timely completion.
• Plans and supports divisional events such as retreats, professional development sessions, and collaborative meetings.
• Partners with the AVC to identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and communication across Student Success and Equity.
• Supports members of the AVC Leadership team and or teams in SSE during periods of transition or elevated priorities from UCOP, Campus, Division, or AVC.

25% - Executive Office Operations

• Oversees the daily operations of the AVC SSE's office, ensuring an organized, responsive, and welcoming environment for staff, students, and campus partners.
• Coordinates logistics related to mail distribution, scheduling, and divisional spaces, including conference and wellness rooms.
• Serves as a key point of contact for campus partners and visitors seeking support or direction within the division.
• Utilizes effective communication and conflict resolution skills to address inquiries or concerns, connecting individuals with appropriate campus resources.
• Coordinates facilities-related needs, including office moves, maintenance, and ergonomic assessments.
• Supports emergency preparedness planning and protocol development.
• Oversees processes related to onboarding and offboarding, key and supply distribution, and other administrative functions that support a smooth employee experience.
• Plans, administers, and oversees the daily operational activities of the AVC Office, Student Success and Equity, including front desk/lobby operations, conference rooms , and leveraging technologies in a hybrid work setting. Develops and implements procedures and protocols in a complex and dynamic office/campus environment.
• Serves as a first point of contact for students/staff/faculty/campus leadership who seek to connect with AVC services from the SSE or who may need wayfinding to other campus resources.
• Supports training of front desk staff across SSE.
• Manages all aspects of emergency preparedness, including developing emergency response protocol for the SSE suite, leading emergency response protocols, and business continuity holding the knowledge of the other emergency contacts and plans across SSE.
• Designs and drafts content for the SSE website as needed to provide current information about operations, and edits website accordingly.
• Support physical space maintenance and management of space in collaboration/coordination with DSAS BFM team.

20% - Strategic Communications and Analysis Communications

• Drafts and edits proposals, reports, presentations, and communications under the direction of the AVC SSE.
• Conducts research and analysis on divisional initiatives, policies, and programs to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Coordinates divisional communication efforts and contributes to internal and external messaging that supports SSE's strategic goals.
• Summarizes best practices, tracks progress on initiatives, and prepares updates for leadership and campus partners.
• Provides recommendations to guide and support a broader strategic direction for the organization or initiative.

15% - Special Project Oversight

• Provides project coordination for divisional and cross-campus initiatives, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met.
• Tracks and supports special projects such as Campus Compact goals, K-16 collaborations, grant initiatives, and equity-focused partnerships.
• Maintains accurate records and data to support reporting requirements and continuous improvement efforts.
• Participates in campus committees and project teams as assigned, representing SSE with professionalism and attention to detail.
• At times, actively engages in drafting proposals and reporting documents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience in overseeing projects and solving problems with efficiency and thoroughness.
• Effective communication skills with diverse populations, including staff, faculty, alumni, donors, students, and external constituencies - both verbally and in writing.
• Skilled in active listening and interpretation.
• Thorough knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs; data, information, and computer literacy.
• Ability to use high-level discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Ability to function independently and manage a professional, high-volume, deadline-driven office.
• Political acumen and sensitivities to the differing perspectives and political circumstances within all levels of the organization.
• A high level of cultural fluency, as well as interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong service orientation and commitment to inclusive, equity-focused practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups and leadership levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience handling sensitive information with discretion and diplomacy.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, project management tools (e.g., Asana), and other web-based platforms; ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Political acumen and cultural fluency, with skill in navigating complex organizational dynamics and resolving conflict effectively.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supporting senior leadership or executives in higher education or a similarly complex organization.
• Knowledge of University of California systems, policies, and procedures.

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.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, 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 maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• 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.

• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

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.

• "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 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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.