Chief Administrative Officer

ADMIN MGR 1 (000547)

UCPath Position ID: 40054676

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

705423

Approved Date:

7/22/2026 3:08:26 PM

Date Last Edited:

7/22/2026 3:08:24 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1130O

Organization:

HENRY SAMUELI SCHOOL ENGR & APPL SCIENCE

Division Code:

1131D

Division:

ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIEN DIV        

Department:

016000 - ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40054676

Position Description ID

170049

UC Payroll Title:

ADMIN MGR 1 (000547)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 25

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

C: Supervisor - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40065703

Reports to Payroll Title:

DEPARTMENT CHAIR

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40047801

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

007715

ACAD HR ANL 3

1

004575

STDT SVC ADVISOR 3

1

007359

BUS TCHL SUPP ANL 2 TX

1

004722

BLANK AST 3

1

007374

ADMIN SUPV 1

1

006206

RSCH ADM 3

1

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) serves as the senior administrative officer for one of the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering's largest and most research-intensive academic departments. Reporting to the Department Chair, with a dotted-line relationship to the School's Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFO/CAFO) for policy alignment, financial systems, and compliance, the CAO provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight in support of the department's academic, research, and public service mission. The CAO directs the department's core administrative and operational functions—including finance, research administration, human resources, academic administration, student affairs, information technology, and facilities—through a management team of six direct reports and provides administrative oversight for a total staff of 17. The position is responsible for the strategic stewardship and oversight of an annual portfolio of approximately $38.5 million in operating, state, and sponsored research funds, ensuring sound financial management, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and exceptional service in support of the department's faculty, staff, students, and research enterprise.

The UCLA Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), one of seven academic departments within the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, is a globally recognized leader in engineering education, research, and innovation. Home to internationally renowned faculty, pioneering researchers, and outstanding students, the department advances discovery across circuits and embedded systems, physical and wave electronics, signals and systems, computer engineering, artificial intelligence, communications, microelectronics, photonics, and emerging technologies through highly interdisciplinary collaborations. With a strong tradition of research excellence, industry partnerships, and technological innovation, UCLA ECE continues to shape the future of engineering while preparing the next generation of leaders to address society's most complex challenges. Located in Los Angeles and part of UCLA—the nation's No. 1 public university—ECE is committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative community that supports excellence in teaching, research, and public service.

Financial Administration and Operational Oversight

1. Direct the overall financial administration of the department, including sponsored research, state, instructional, discretionary, gift, endowment, recharge, and other department funds. 2. Develop and administer the department’s operating budget; monitor financial performance, projections, and resource allocation to support departmental priorities and long-range planning.  3. Establish and maintain internal financial controls, recharge practices, and administrative procedures to ensure effective stewardship of departmental resources and compliance with university policies and federal regulations.  4. Advise the Chair and faculty leadership on complex financial and administrative matters, including resource planning, faculty start-up commitments, equipment and renovation funding, space investments, audit responses, and multi-investigator research initiatives. 5. Provide administrative oversight of departmental fund management and research administration functions through the research administration lead and other appropriate staff, ensuring sound financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and effective support for the department's research mission. 6. Provide oversight of departmental purchasing, financial reporting, payroll reconciliation, and audit activities, ensuring compliance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and internal controls. 7. Oversee departmental financial systems, system access authorization, and administrative controls supporting fiscal operations.

30%

Academic Personnel, Human Resources, and Payroll Administration

1. Provide senior oversight of academic personnel, staff human resources, payroll, and timekeeping operations through management staff responsible for HR and payroll administration.  2. Advise the Chair on faculty recruitment, leaves of absence, staffing strategies, organizational planning, instructional support needs, and academic personnel actions.  3. Ensure personnel, payroll, leave tracking, and related administrative processes comply with university policies, collective bargaining agreements, and audit requirements. 4. Provide oversight of workforce planning, employee and labor relations, organizational development, performance management, and staff training initiatives through subordinate managers and supervisors.  5. Evaluate departmental staffing structures, operational needs, and resource allocation to support departmental priorities and organizational effectiveness.

20%

Administrative Systems, Operations, and Strategic Leadership

1. Oversee development, implementation, and maintenance of administrative systems, databases, and operational processes supporting finance, personnel, student affairs, purchasing, space, and equipment management functions.  2. Coordinate with School and campus technical teams to improve administrative systems, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiencies.  3. Ensure proper maintenance, organization, retention, and security of departmental administrative and financial records.  4. Direct departmental administrative operations to ensure faculty, staff, and students have consistent access to the support they need. 5. Serve as the principal administrative advisor to the Chair on administrative, operational, organizational, and strategic matters affecting the department.  6. Lead departmental planning initiatives and support continuous improvement efforts to advance operational effectiveness and service delivery.

20%

Student Affairs and Instructional Administration

1. Oversee the administrative coordination of instructional operations, including course scheduling, classroom assignments, TA and Reader appointments, enrollment monitoring, and instructional resource planning to support departmental teaching needs. 2. Ensure effective administration of graduate student funding, academic progress monitoring, degree milestones, and related student services in compliance with University policies and procedures. 3. Oversee operational support for curriculum management, course approvals, catalog updates, accreditation activities, and instructional reporting requirements. 4. Evaluate instructional and student services operations and recommend process improvements, resource allocation strategies, and service enhancements to support departmental goals and student success.

15%

Facilities, Space, Safety, and Equipment Management

1. Provide administrative oversight of departmental facilities, space, equipment, and operational support to ensure effective instructional and research activities. 2. Develop and implement space utilization plans and coordinate space assignments in collaboration with departmental and School leadership. 3. Coordinate and monitor departmental processes related to facilities maintenance, equipment inventory, laboratory safety, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and university policy adherence in partnership with faculty, laboratory personnel, and campus offices.

10%

Development, Events, and External Relations

1. Support departmental advancement/development, alumni relations, industry engagement, and public relations activities in coordination with School leadership. Day-to-day event logistics and coordination may be delegated to departmental coordinators or event staff under the CAO’s direction and budget sign-off.  2. Oversee planning, staffing, budgeting, and operational support for departmental events and conferences, including the Annual Research Review and Faculty Retreat.  3. Prepare financial analyses and operational reports related to departmental events and special programs.

5%

•

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

Bachelor's Degree

in business administration, finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required

Master's Degree

Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or related field)

Preferred

Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in academic or research administration, including financial management and supervision of professional staff.

Required

Leadership within the University of California system or a comparable higher education or academic research environment.

Preferred

Demonstrated knowledge of fund accounting, contract and grant administration, and applicable federal and university financial regulations.

Required

Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.

Required

Proven ability to oversee administrative operations in a large, research-intensive academic department, school, or comparable organization, including complex financial operations and sponsored research administration.

Preferred

Success leading strategic planning, organizational change, and operational improvement initiatives that enhance academic and research excellence.

Preferred

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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Standing/Walking

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

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.