Academic Programs and Operations Coordinator (4263C), Goldman School of Public Policy #88284

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Departmental Overview

Founded in 1969, the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) embodies the intellectual rigor, entrepreneurial spirit, public mission, and social commitment characteristic of UC Berkeley. As a professional school of public policy grounded in scholarly practice, GSPP mobilizes the rich academic resources of the campus to provide a transformational academic and cultural experience that instills standards of excellence and a deep sense of pride in one's work, community, and academic home. GSPP consistently ranks among the top policy schools in the country, currently ranked #1 in policy analysis and #2 in social policy according to U.S. News and World Report. GSPP helped define the art and science of modern public policy and pioneered the data-driven, evidence-based approach that remains our hallmark.

GSPP offers three graduate degree programs (with approximately 330 students), a doctoral program, an undergraduate minor, and several concurrent degrees. GSPP's 40+ faculty represent the top researchers in their respective fields-including economics, political science, law, social psychology, and engineering-and their expertise ranges from education policy to racial profiling to clean energy. Fundamental to GSPP's success is our culture, shaped by individuals from across the globe whose diverse perspectives and life experiences enrich our community. GSPP students, faculty, and staff are distinguished by exceptional talent, broad experience, and a shared commitment to GSPP's public mission. Come join GSPP, and discover How a Better Future is Made.

Position Summary

The Academic Programs and Operations Coordinator serves as a critical operational and administrative leader supporting the academic programs and strategic initiatives of GSPP's Master of Development Practice (MDP) and Master of Public Affairs (MPA) programs. The incumbent manages the full student lifecycle - from enrollment and curriculum planning through course scheduling, event management, and international field trip logistics - ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience for students, faculty, and global partners across both programs.

In addition to core program operations, this role carries expanded responsibilities in support of the MPA program, including faculty coordination, budget tracking and financial reporting in coordination with program leadership, communications and outreach, and direct support to program leadership and, when needed, the Dean's office. The position exercises independent judgment in resolving complex operational issues, manages sensitive information with discretion, and coordinates human resources processes for academic personnel.

This role requires a highly organized, proactive professional who can manage competing priorities across two dynamic programs, build effective relationships with a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and external partners, and contribute meaningfully to the operational excellence and strategic goals of GSPP.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is September 2, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Academic & Curricular Operations - 25%

• Oversee curriculum administration by coordinating course proposals, ensuring compliance with Academic Senate and COCI policies, and managing the end-to-end approval and implementation process.
• Design course scheduling for MDP Fall and Spring terms, coordinating room assignments with internal and campus facilities to prevent conflicts, optimize instructional resources, and ensure alignment with program and faculty needs.
• Establish MDP schedules across GSPP internal documents, campus enrollment SIS systems, course catalog, and enrollment tracker, ensuring institutional accuracy and cross-system alignment.
• Design course scheduling for MPA Summer, Fall and Spring terms as needed.
• Provide interim GSPP Scheduler coverage managing Scheduler inbox communications, MPA and MPP course scheduling, enrollment processing and issues, and undergraduate Decal submissions to maintain uninterrupted academic operations.
• Develop and streamline scheduling and Academic Student Employee (ASE) hiring workflows, strengthening operational efficiency, reducing errors, and improving scalability across programs.

Global Programs & Strategic Initiatives - 20%

• Oversee World Bank Scholarship Program student travel, coordinating international flight logistics through ConnexUC, ensuring strict compliance with scholarship agreement terms, proactively identifying contract risks, and escalating issues to the Assistant Dean to mitigate financial and reputational exposure to World Bank Secretariat.
• Oversee the UC Alianza Mexico grant administration for the MDP Mexico City Development Lab field trip, overseeing high-risk international travel logistics, stipends, reimbursements, vendor payments, and full grant compliance; exercised comprehensive oversight of student safety, regulatory requirements, and financial risk management abroad.
• Lead the design and end-to-end execution of high-visibility and high-risk events (e.g., symposia, internship showcases, guest lectures, student programs, and large-scale off-campus events), overseeing venue procurement, contract negotiation, Certificates of Insurance, A/V production, travel logistics, communications strategy, catering and procurement compliance, and budget in alignment with campus financial and risk regulations.
• Lead execution of orientation and onboarding for the MPA in-person and online Summer cohorts, overseeing communications, logistics, cross-unit coordination, and student readiness processes.
• Direct daily Summer Session (A, B, D) community-building lunch sessions, overseeing logistics, vendor coordination, budgeting, and operational execution.
• Collaborate with the MDP Program Advisor to redesign enrollment and concentration planning processes, implementing operational improvements that supported significant growth in student applications and cohort size.

Student Affairs Operations & Enrollment Management - 20%

• Serve as primary MDP program liaison, exercising independent judgment in resolving faculty, student, and staff inquiries while safeguarding sensitive academic and operational information.
• Oversee MPA and MDP course enrollment, monitor low-enrollment and grade submission compliance, resolve issues, identify risks and escalate as appropriate, and advise students and instructors to ensure policy adherence.
• Direct and manage the MPA SPA Inbox and applicant pipeline, serving as primary point of contact for program inquiries and issues, ensuring 100% response rate and active case management from prospective inquiry through application completion and closure.
• Advise hybrid and online pathway students on curriculum planning, providing individualized academic scaffolding, monitoring progress, and resolving enrollment or pathway-related issues.
• Plan and execute prospective MDP and MPA student engagement events and campus tours, coordinating student representatives and logistics to support recruitment strategy.

Academic Personnel & Visa Administration - 15%

• Direct MPA and MDP ASE recruitment, managing faculty job description collection, application development, candidate communications, and onboarding processes to ensure timely appointments and payroll readiness.
• Partner with HR and Finance to administer MDP ASE and instructor FTE allotment, appointments, onboarding, leave, and separations to ensure compliance, financial accuracy, and cross-functional alignment.
• Administer J-1 Professor and Researcher visa appointments through Berkeley International Office (BIO), ensuring compliance with federal immigration regulations and institutional policies.
• Administer Visiting Scholar and Postdoctoral appointments through Berkeley Regional Services (BRS), maintaining regulatory and procedural compliance.

Financial & Procurement Management - 10%

• Process complex international and domestic payment requests, including payments to foreign nationals and honorarium payments, ensuring regulatory compliance and fiscal accountability.
• Manage vendor contracts and financial transactions for MDP, MPA, and MPP through BearBuy and Procurement card, ensuring compliance with campus financial policies, reconciliation accuracy, and proper allocation of chartstrings.
• Responsible for vendor onboarding and payment requests.
• Direct procurement and inventory management for MDP supplies and academic materials, including oversight of major print production and instructional case materials.

Organizational Leadership & Administrative Operations - 10%

• Supervise, train, and schedule two student employees, delegating workload, ensuring quality control, and maintaining operational continuity.
• Facilitate MDP Executive Committee and weekly team meetings, developing agendas, preparing materials, tracking action items, and ensuring follow-through on strategic decisions.
• Support large-scale institutional events (e.g., Orientation, New Admit Day, Conference, Commencement, etc.), contributing to planning and high-level day-of operational execution.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives to create and implement policies and Staff Subgroups to strengthen community, engagement, and recognition.
• Provide interim coverage for Executive Assistant to the Dean, successfully delivering projects such as Service Award recognition and vendor payments.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of and/or ability to learn University rules and regulations, processes, protocols, and procedures for budget, accounting, fund management, and personnel management.
• Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-solving, and customer service.
• Knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, risk management planning, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines.
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, and advising/counseling skills.
• Ability to quickly master complex enterprise-level software and databases for enrollment management, procurement, and travel coordination.
• Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis, problem-solving, and customer service to resolve issues of diverse scope.
• Thorough knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees.
• Demonstrated ability to use high-level discretion and maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive personal, academic, or financial information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with and/or ability to learn higher education administrative policies, including curriculum coordination and Academic Student Employee (ASE) union contracts.
• Advanced knowledge of and/or ability to learn supply chain, travel, immigration (BIO), and campus systems policies, ensuring informed decision-making and regulatory compliance.
• Solid knowledge of and/or ability to learn common University-specific computer application programs and the ability to maintain institutional accuracy across cross-system alignments.
• Experience managing high-risk international logistics, grant-funded travel compliance, and vendor contracts for global initiatives.

Education / Training

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

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 hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $32.44 (Step 1) - $45.42 (Step 16).

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

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 2 days/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• 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.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Clerical & Allied Services Unit (CX) between the University of California and Teamsters Local 2010. The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/cx/index.html

Misconduct

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 status under state or federal law.