$85,000 - $100,000

Initial applicant review will begin on or around January 3rd, 2023. Posting will remain open until filled.

This position may offer hybrid work (2-4 days on campus) depending on candidate experience.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced’s evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

Reporting to the Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost for Academic Planning and Institutional Assessment, the Coordinator for Academic Program Development supports the development of new undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including certificates and other innovative opportunities. Key contributions include conducting market research and other analyses and working with faculty and academic and administrative leadership to identify new educational programs to attract new students and increase the educational opportunities offered by UC Merced, draft and project manage proposal development, and facilitate timely review and implementation of proposals for new programs. The coordinator provides institutional guidance for proposal development, facilitates communication and collaboration, coordinates efforts across relevant academic and administrative units, and supports the continuous improvement of these processes.

In conducting this work, the coordinator uses advanced academic and operational concepts, including market analysis tools and techniques and a deep understanding of academic planning and policy, to facilitate the development of highly complex proposals and implementation plans; regularly works on issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors; and exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. The coordinator primarily deals with program ideas and proposals that impact efforts to diversify UC Merced's undergraduate and graduate academic offerings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with faculty, academic and administrative leadership to draft and project manage the development, review, and implementation of proposals for new academic programs. Guides proposal development. Practices discretion and diplomacy and abides by expectations for shared governance.

• Conducts highly complex analyses and market research to identify potential new programs, including certificates, and to evaluate ideas for proposed programs to expand UC Merced's portfolio of in demand academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Develops and presents complex proposals, including the identification of problems, costs, benefits, and options.

• Researches, summarizes, and facilitates the adoption of best practices for identifying, and evaluating the potential of, new academic programs to meet the educational goals of existing and prospective UC Merced students and regional and state educational and employment needs. Maintains current knowledge of new and emerging educational issues at the pedagogical, programmatic, and administrative levels, and advises the campus on how it can respond to strategic opportunities in these areas.

• Identifies, develops, and advocates solutions to organizational issues related to the identification and development of proposals for new academic programs. This includes developing and administering new systems, policies, processes, or programs.

• Proposes, leads, and/or participates in policy, strategy, and planning committees and working groups in support of ongoing efforts to build UC Merced's portfolio of programs.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training and five years of directly related, progressively responsible experience in facilitating and executing data-informed planning and analysis; experience drafting technical documents and proposals; experience in Extension Units or in particular schools and colleges at other institutions; developing educational programs in business settings, or a combination of experience/training. (Required)

• A master’s degree or Ph.D. is preferred but may not substitute the required years of experience outlined. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge of common organizational computer application programs as well as tools and data sets for conducing market analyses to identify and evaluate proposals for new programs. (Preferred)

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including facilitation skills, to communicate effectively with all levels of staff. Strong written communication skills pertinent to developing proposals of a technical nature.

• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality. (Preferred)

• Advanced project management skills. (Preferred)

• Thorough knowledge of University of California and campus policies and procedures for the development of new academic and certificate programs. (Preferred)

• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes. (Preferred)

• Advanced knowledge of strategic academic planning to increase campus enrollment and revenues. (Preferred)

• Advanced analytical / problem-solving skills. (Preferred)

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) “other”

Additional information? (select) “other”

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.