Director – Academic Programs, Capstone Programs

ADMIN OFCR 3 (007377)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_1000227

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

8/5/2026 7:13:25 PM

Date Last Edited:

8/5/2026 7:13:21 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1160O

Organization:

ANDERSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT          

Division Code:

1161D

Division:

MANAGEMENT DIV                         

Department:

030000 - ANDERSON GRAD SCH OF MANAGEMENT

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_1000227

Position Description ID

263220

UC Payroll Title:

ADMIN OFCR 3 (007377)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 22

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:

40039531

Reports to Payroll Title:

ADMIN MGR 3

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40039531

Department Head Payroll Title:

ADMIN MGR 3

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.

004722

Blank Assistant 3

2

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Academic Programs leads the operational and programmatic administration of the Capstone Office, which oversees the culminating academic experiences for approximately 1,000 MBA students annually. The office manages four primary capstone offerings: Business Creation Capstone (BCC), Applied Integrated Research (AIR), Advanced Topics in Management Capstone (ATMC), and Management Practicum (MP), serving students in the Full-Time MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, and UCLA-NUS Executive MBA programs.

These experiential learning programs provide students with opportunities to apply MBA frameworks to complex, real-world business challenges. The Director collaborates extensively with faculty, MBA programs staff, students, and other campus partners to ensure effective program delivery and a high-quality student experience. In partnership with the Senior Associate Dean, the Director develops and implements long-term program goals and continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational excellence, academic quality, and student satisfaction.

The UCLA Anderson Capstone Programs are a signature component of the MBA curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to apply graduate management education to real-world business challenges in real time. Administered by the Capstone Office, the capstone requirement is fulfilled through one of distinct program tracks, each designed to develop advanced professional skills through experiential learning:

Applied Integrated Research (AIR) pairs student teams with external client organizations to investigate and solve current business challenges. Teams conduct in-depth primary and secondary research — including market assessment, competitive analysis, and AI-enhanced research design — and present strategic, investment-quality recommendations to panels of industry professionals. Faculty advisors with deep industry and academic credentials counsel student teams throughout the six-month engagement.

Business Creation Capstone (BCC) guides teams of student entrepreneurs through the development and launch of an original business venture. Students formulate strategies across sales, marketing, operations, finance, and management; develop and test business hypotheses; and produce a comprehensive implementation plan for their startup. Each team is partnered with a faculty advisor for the duration of the two-quarter program.

Advanced Topics in Management Capstone (ATMC) offers students an academically rigorous exploration of specialized management topics, integrating advanced frameworks and current research into applied coursework designed to deepen strategic and analytical capabilities.

Each track is led by a faculty director responsible for curricular direction. The Capstone Office provides operational administration, student services, and external partner relations across all tracks, serving students, faculty, and external stakeholders throughout each academic cycle.

Program Strategy

1. Owns the strategic vision for student experience and satisfaction across all four capstone tracks (AIR, ATMC, BCC, ETA, MP). E

2. Designs and defines the cadence of student touchpoints (information sessions, communications, application period) to ensure students across all tracks are informed of capstone options and requirements. E

3. In conjunction with MBA programs and faculty directors, establish the annual application calendar and process design across all four programs. Partners with instructional design/IT (IDLX) team on system requirements and enhancements. Identifies opportunities to automate or streamline applications and advising workflows; leads implementation and adoption. E

4. Serves as the primary point of contact and administrative liaison for the three capstone faculty directors, translating their programmatic needs into delegated work for program staff. E

5. Develop student onboarding programming to ensure that each student is well prepared for their two-quarter capstone experience. E

6. In conjunction with Director of External Affairs, develop and execute major program events — Prelims, Finals, Intro Day, Demo Day. Ensure that the student awards process adheres to grading and fiscal close deadlines. E

50%

Academic Operations

1. Oversees day-to-day execution of program staff's responsibilities, ensuring deliverables for all three faculty directors are met on time and to standard. E

2. In conjunction with Director of External Affairs, defines event logistics execution through program staff, partnering with the events coordinator. E

3. Oversees SmartSuite-based application tracking, ensuring program staff accurately process and route applications to faculty directors in required formats. E

4. Manages program staff workload and capacity, particularly during high-volume periods (application cycles, event seasons). E

5. Assesses automation opportunities for both routine and non-routine programmatic tasks (e.g., application processing, BruinLearn content updates, student follow-up communications); leads implementation with program staff. Monitors outcomes of implemented automation to ensure accuracy and service quality are maintained, adjusting processes as needed. E

6. Create a department with confidence in its operations by providing excellent, timely, and reliable customer service.

7. Promote a team atmosphere by encouraging collaboration and cross training.

8. In collaboration with the Senior Associate Dean, staff the Anderson Capstone Office with qualified team members: interview, hire, train, on-board, assign, and review work.

9. Manage, train, and mentor the Capstone team with the goal of increasing performance and productivity.

10. Assess and identify resources necessary to maintain department performance standards. Analyze goals and objectives, short and long range plans, and operational needs.

11. Conduct the performance appraisal process for direct reports.

12. Conduct the performance improvement or disciplinary process in coordination with CHR/ELR for direct reports and raise awareness of issues or concerns to the Senior Associate Dean.

13. Delegate work and responsibilities to the Capstone Team.

14. Provide expert advice and assistance on financial matters.

15. Standardize procedures and develop manuals, and cross-train employees.

16. Instill a facilitative attitude towards faculty, staff, campus partners, and others.

17. In collaboration with the Senior Associate Dean, actively participate in audits, investigate and resolve issues as needed, and implement controls required by internal and external auditors.

18. Other duties and special projects as assigned.

35%

Student Services administration

1. Oversees development of all student-facing announcements and Bruin Learn site content across capstone tracks, ensuring content is clear, accurate, and consistent E

2. Ensures application and enrollment integrity — resolves cases where students apply to multiple capstone options and confirms single-track enrollment. E

3. Oversee the process for redirecting students who are not selected for their first-choice capstone, ensuring they understand alternative options (e.g., AIR) and are supported through that transition. E

4. Coordinates with faculty directors and advisors to ensure application deadlines, selection timelines, and BruinLearn content updates are communicated clearly and on schedule. E

5. Serve as an escalation point for student issues arising during the application or team formation process that exceed program staff's scope.  E

6. Delegate duties to direct reports and assist the Program Manager team with managing their respective units. Position will manage and approve the work and responsibilities of the Program Management team.

15%

•

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

Master's Degree

MBA Preferred.

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree

Required

Ability to supervise, develop, and manage the workload of program support staff, delegating effectively while ensuring consistent and timely follow-through on deliverables

Required

Ability to exercise independent judgment in managing relationships with faculty directors with varying working styles and levels of administrative involvement, while maintaining operational accountability for program deliverables.

Required

Ability to identify process inefficiencies and evaluate automation or technology-enabled solutions to improve program administration.

Required

Proven ability to analyze complex problems and to develop creative and researched solutions and recommendations.

Required

Demonstrated computer skills with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web development and survey tools.

Required

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Required

Demonstrated skill in analyzing and identifying problems, assessing possible solutions, formulating courses of action, and making recommendations.

Required

In depth understanding of MBA education, curricular design, program structure and content, and implications of these areas as they impact the quality of the program.

Required

Ability to make formal and informal presentations to provide clear and concise information on academic programs, procedures and policies.

Required

Ability to systematize operations and processes with skill in creating and modifying procedures to increase efficiency.

Required

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to communicate complex information clearly, concisely, and diplomatically with MBA Students and support staff.

Required

Skill in negotiating, exchanging ideas, information and opinions with others to formulate policies, practices to arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions or solutions.

Required

Knowledge of higher education administration, academic program operations, and student services in a graduate or professional school setting, including university policies governing academic programs, student advising, and enrollment.

Required

Knowledge of experiential learning program models — including applied research, field study, or capstone-style programming — and best practices in student experience design and program assessment.

Required

Demonstrated skill in managing complex, multi-track academic programs with overlapping deadlines, diverse student populations, and multiple faculty stakeholders with competing priorities.

Required

Demonstrated listening and conflict resolution skills to deal with students, faculty, staff and university stakeholders professionally and diplomatically.

Required

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, and administrators, establishing rapport and gaining trust of others. Skill in working in a team environment.

Required

Skill in setting priorities which accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

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:

Anderson - Capstone

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.