Senior Executive Director, Learning Innovation & Industry Engagement

ACAD PRG MGR 1 (006083)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_941521

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

9/28/2026 10:13:33 PM

Date Last Edited:

10/2/2026 8:07:45 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

9/29/2026

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE                    

Division Code:

1350D

Division:

L&S SOCIAL SCIENCES                    

Department:

110000 - ECONOMICS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_941521

Position Description ID

256876

UC Payroll Title:

ACAD PRG MGR 1 (006083)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 26

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

A: Manager - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40046352

Reports to Payroll Title:

Faculty Director of MQE

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40052480

Department Head Payroll Title:

Chair

GENERAL DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work, and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

 Marketing Supervisor 2

7554

Administrative Supervisor 2

7375

5155

Student Services Advisor 2

2.0

4578

Student Services Supervisor 1

1.0

4516

Career Services Specialist 3

2.0

4983

Career Services Specialist 4

4.0

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Dean of Social Sciences and the Faculty Director of the Master of Quantitative Economics (MQE) program, the Senior Executive Director, provides strategic leadership for the Master of Quantitative Economics (MQE) program and division-wide initiatives in industry engagement, experiential learning, and graduate career development. The incumbent independently leads the planning, administration, continuous improvement, and long-term growth of the MQE program through subordinate supervisors and professional staff, ensuring the successful integration of academic priorities, employer engagement, student success, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships. The Senior Executive Director is accountable for the strategic and operational success of the MQE program, including organizational leadership, budget and resource stewardship, personnel management, marketing and communications, technology systems, program assessment, and the development of collaborative partnerships that support innovation, program growth, and long-term sustainability. Working in close partnership with faculty leadership, the Dean's Office, campus partners, employers, alumni, advisory boards, and external stakeholders, the incumbent develops and implements initiatives that strengthen curriculum delivery, experiential learning, graduate career outcomes, and the program's reputation and competitiveness.

The position exercises a high degree of independent judgment in establishing organizational priorities, directing subordinate supervisors and professional staff, allocating financial and human resources, developing strategic partnerships, and resolving complex administrative and operational issues. The incumbent serves as the principal liaison between the Division of Social Sciences and external organizations, cultivating relationships that expand internships, applied learning opportunities, industry collaborations, employer engagement, and career pathways while ensuring the continued relevance, quality, and sustainability of the MQE program.

UCLA’s Economics Department has two interlocking objectives. We conduct cutting edge research by developing new methodologies and applying them to understand society’s most critical issues. We also seek to train the next generation of economic leaders in the private sector, government and academia.

UCLA is one of the top-ranked economics departments in the world. We have a young and active faculty whose research is shaping policy and informing the public on critical issues affecting the United States and the world. Our work covers a diversity of topics such as the origins and persistence of the Great Depression and its lessons for today’s economy, the relationship between education and health outcomes, cartels and antitrust policy, the economics of health care, and the impact of immigration on labor markets. Many of our faculty have received special recognition for their body of research by election to prestigious institutions such as the National Academy of Science, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the Econometric Society, or have received such celebrated awards such as the Guggenheim and Sloan Fellowships.

Our undergraduates are equally impressive. They are among the brightest students on campus and consistently go on to find success in the job market and in graduate school. We have approximately 3300 majors at any one time making us the largest among major economics departments across the country and the largest major on campus. Our students come from over 60 countries around the world yet the majority call California their home. Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college and we are proud of them and their accomplishments.

Our Alumni play important roles in business, entertainment, and academia. We are proud that many maintain strong ties with UCLA and with the Economics department. Our students attend business schools, law school, medical schools, and graduate schools in a variety of disciplines.

Program Leadership & Strategic Administration

1. Provide executive leadership for the Master of Quantitative Economics (MQE) program by directing, through subordinate supervisors and professional staff, all academic support, operational, student services, employer engagement, communications, admissions support, financial, and administrative functions necessary to achieve the program's strategic objectives.

2. In partnership with the Dean and MQE Faculty Director, establish the long-term vision, strategic priorities, operational objectives, and administrative policies necessary to advance the division’s and program's academic mission and long-term sustainability.

3. Direct subordinate supervisors responsible for academic operations to oversee curriculum implementation, instructional support, scheduling, academic planning, and program delivery while ensuring alignment with faculty priorities, accreditation standards, and University policies.

4. Direct the strategic use of CRM and enterprise information systems through subordinate staff to support recruitment, admissions, student engagement, employer relations, alumni engagement, and data-informed decision-making.

5. Establish organizational performance metrics and evaluate enrollment trends, student success outcomes, employer engagement, operational effectiveness, and program performance; direct organizational improvements that enhance program quality, competitiveness, and student success.

6. Exercise independent judgment in resolving complex academic, operational, financial, and organizational issues affecting program success while ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures.

35%

Personnel Leadership, Organizational Management & Resource Stewardship

1. Provide executive leadership through subordinate supervisors and professional staff responsible for academic operations, admissions support, student services, employer engagement, career development, communications, financial administration, events, and program operations.

2. Establish the organizational structure, staffing model, operational priorities, performance expectations, and management framework necessary to achieve strategic and operational objectives.

3. Directly supervise subordinate supervisors and management-level staff, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, coaching, mentoring, performance management, succession planning, employee development, corrective action, and recognition.

4. Delegate operational authority while maintaining overall accountability for organizational performance, customer service, regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and achievement of program objectives.

5. Evaluate organizational effectiveness, assess staffing requirements, redesign workflows, allocate human resources, and implement operational improvements that strengthen efficiency, accountability, collaboration, and service delivery.

6. Develop leadership capacity among subordinate supervisors through coaching, mentoring, professional development, and succession planning to ensure organizational continuity and long-term effectiveness.

7. Ensure subordinate supervisors consistently administer University policies, employment practices, collective bargaining agreements, and internal controls while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture.

8. Direct the stewardship of the program's human, financial, technology, facilities, and operational resources to maximize organizational effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

25%

Industry Engagement & External Partnerships

1. Direct, through subordinate supervisors and professional staff, the development, implementation, and continuous expansion of strategic partnerships with corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, alumni, and industry leaders that advance the academic mission of the MQE program and the Division of Social Sciences.

2. Establish and sustain executive-level relationships with employers and external stakeholders to expand internships, experiential learning opportunities, employer-sponsored projects, executive engagement, and graduate employment pathways.

3. Direct the development and ongoing engagement of advisory councils and industry partners to inform strategic planning, curriculum relevance, workforce alignment, and program innovation.

4. Identify and pursue opportunities for external funding, sponsorships, philanthropic support, and strategic investments that strengthen long-term program sustainability.

5. Represent the MQE program and the Division of Social Sciences with employers, professional associations, governmental agencies, alumni, and community organizations to enhance the visibility, reputation, and strategic impact of the program.

20%

Strategic Planning, Innovation & Program Development

1. Direct, through subordinate supervisors and professional staff, the design, implementation, and continuous assessment of a comprehensive experiential learning and graduate career development strategy that integrates curriculum, employer engagement, applied learning, and professional skill development.

2. Partner with faculty leadership to develop industry-informed capstone projects, internships, consulting engagements, applied coursework, and experiential learning opportunities aligned with emerging workforce needs.

3. Direct organizational efforts to develop employer engagement initiatives, executive speaker series, networking opportunities, workshops, recruiting events, and career programming that strengthen graduate career readiness and employment outcomes.

4. Develop strategic partnerships across campus and with external organizations to expand experiential learning opportunities and improve student career outcomes.

5. Establish performance measures for internships, graduate employment, employer satisfaction, and student success; utilize assessment results to guide strategic planning and continuous program improvement.

20%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

PhD

Terminal degree in education, economics, business or related field and/or equivalent experience/training

Required

Program management

Minimum of ten years of professional experience managing academic or professional programs in a higher education or comparable environment.

Required

Supervisory experience

Strong management and supervisory experience to hire, train, oversee and evaluate staff; provide guidance and leadership. 

Required

Industry engagement

Knowledge of relevant industry sectors, with established relationships and demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships with employers and external organizations to support student recruitme

Required

Industry engagement

Demonstrated ability to design and implement innovative programs and engagement strategies and success cultivating partnerships that generate support for programmatic and divisional priorities.

Required

Alumni engagement

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, maintain, and strategically leverage alumni relationships to enhance program engagement, support student success, and expand career pathways.

Required

Strategic planning

Excellent strategic planning, leadership and visionary skills to develop, implement, and attain short and long-term goals and objectives.

Required

Trend analysis

Working knowledge of current trends in quantitative economics, artificial intelligence, data science, and graduate education, with the ability to apply this knowledge to inform program development and

Required

Project management

Strong experience in project management including developing and launching new projects, setting priorities and goals, developing operation plans, analyzing problems, determining solutions, meeting de

Required

Communication

Effective verbal communication and presentation skills for making persuasive oral presentations to senior leaders, internal and external constituencies, employers, donors, alumni as well as current an

Required

Financial management

Demonstrated skill in financial management, budgeting, and control in order to allocate resources effectively.

Required

Career Development

Extensive experience in program development, student engagement, or career-oriented programming

Required

Learning Design

Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with learning design or human-centered design principles.

Required

Extensive knowledge of and/or ability to quickly and thoroughly understand the changing higher education landscape in relation to all aspects of the University’s mission, long-term objectives and key strategic plans.

Required

Advanced knowledge of academic program management, including curriculum coordination and student services.

Required

Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships across academia and industry.

Required

Strong strategic thinking skills aligned with the ability to make decisions, be resourceful, implement and follow through.

Required

Demonstrated ability to serve different audiences, including alumni, students, faculty, and staff and to work to build consensus among team members; ability to work with multiple constituents, including an understanding of navigating complex audiences.

Required

Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, Salesforce and Slate CRM systems, and data management tools, with demonstrated experience leveraging web and digital technologies to support program operations, stakeholder engagement, and strategic analysis.

Required

Well-developed interpersonal skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships, interact effectively and diplomatically with a wide variety of internal and external constituents.

Required

Ability to analyze data and use insights to inform decision-making and program improvements.

Required

Superior analytical abilities and critical thinking skills to define problems and meet objectives; identify relevant factors and concerns; and recognize alternatives and their implications.

Required

Strong verbal and written communication skills; persuasive, influential and an active listener.

Required

Political acumen, tact and mature judgement; impeccable integrity with ability to handle confidential matters in a discreet manner.

Required

Detail-oriented, goal-oriented, well organized and focused, with a high level of initiative and energy.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

10%

Represent the division and program at in-person external meetings, events, and professional forums required for industry engagement

Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Bunche Hall

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.