Chief Administrative Officer

About This Role

This Chief Administrative Officer role in the Department of Anthropology and Global Health Program involves using advanced administrative concepts to achieve organizational objectives and resolve complex issues. The CAO manages, plans, and coordinates the administrative operations, supervising professional and support staff in various areas. The position focuses on short- and long-term planning and tackles highly complex issues requiring in-depth evaluation and judgment.

Responsibilities

• Manage, plan, and coordinate the administrative operations of the Anthropology Department and the Global Health Program
• Supervise professional and support staff in academic and human resources personnel, student services, fiscal management, facilities, and communications
• Perform short- and long-term planning
• Work on highly complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires in-depth evaluation of variable factors and exercise of judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage budgets and adapt objectives to changes in resources
• Thorough knowledge of the University budget process
• Advanced knowledge of University rules and regulations, processes, protocols, and procedures for budget, accounting, and fund management, and/or personnel management
• Demonstrated knowledge of student affairs functions and educational support systems
• Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques, and/or human resources policies and procedures for staff and academic employees
• Advanced knowledge of a variety of administrative operational activities such as event planning, basic fundraising processes, risk management planning, website design, accounting and payroll, and contracts and grants regulations and guidelines
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in space and facilities management including analysis, funding, design, construction, and renovation of buildings and labs
• Skill to analyze large quantities of data (financial, space, workload) and to identify objectives and constraints, and to develop effective recommendations
• Leadership skills and experience with ability to apply management principles, practices, and techniques in the conduct of business for complex multi-discipline, publicly-funded academic research department
• Demonstrated ability to use initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness to accomplish duties
• Ability to assess unique needs of department
• Advanced knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs
• Advanced interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising, and counseling skills
• Four (4) years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area plus two (2) years of related experience/training
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality
• Advanced skills in short- and long-term strategic planning, analysis, problem-solving, and customer service
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a University setting and the ability to instill and maintain appropriate standards of behavior and feedback
• Demonstrated high-level skill in assessing needs and developing strategies to support diversity and inclusion
• Demonstrated ability to establish appropriate controls and operate effectively within a control environment

Nice to have:

• Demonstrated ability to interact positively and effectively with a range of constituents, including PIs, program staff, outside agencies, and UCSD centralized services
• Academic Department administrative leadership experience, including finance, budgeting, human resources, faculty affairs, and faculty recruitment

Important Details

• Application deadline: Thursday, October 22, 2026
• Work schedule: 8 hours per day, Monday - Friday
• Appointment type: Career
• Appointment percent: 100%
• Team: 22 faculty, 10+ visiting lecturers, 50+ PhD graduate students, 250+ majors, 40+ minors in Anthropology; 300+ majors, 200+ minors, 15+ MA in Global Health Program

Special Conditions

• Job offer is contingent upon a satisfactory clearance based on background check results
• Occasional overtime and weekends may be required
• Duties may require direct contact with children (defined as individuals under the age of 18). Completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) form is required.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• Prospective employees who are ordinarily residents in Iran or who are physically located in Iran are generally not eligible for employment per suspension of General License G on 24 August 2026.

About the Company

UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution that provides opportunity for all, recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide. The Department of Anthropology offers a full range of courses across various subject areas and stands at the nexus between the social sciences, biological sciences, and humanities, dedicated to understanding worldwide diversity and studying nonhuman relatives. The Global Health Program is a newer interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program at UC San Diego, administered through the Department of Anthropology.