Associate Director, Special Programs & Initiatives

ADMIN SUPV 2 (007375)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_941116

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

3/12/2026 4:45:01 PM

Date Last Edited:

3/12/2026 4:44:58 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

7000O

Organization:

VC STUDENT AFFAIRS

Division Code:

7300D

Division:

CAMPUS LIFE

Department:

373000 - CULTURAL & RECREATIONAL AFFAIRS

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_941116

Position Description ID

253065

UC Payroll Title:

ADMIN SUPV 2 (007375)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 23

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:

ADMIN MGR 1

Reports to Payroll Title:

40058049

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

ADMIN MGR 1

Department Head Payroll Title:

40058049

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.

004137

RECR SUPV 2

1.0

004017

WRITER EDITOR 3

1.0

004400

RECR PRG LEADER 4

1.0

004401

RECR PRG LEADER 3

1.0

004754

FINANCIAL SVC ANL 2 CX

1.0

005047

RECR COACH 3

1.0

008217

FAC MECH

1.0

004401

RECR PRG LEADER 3

2.0

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director, Special Programs & Initiatives, provides leadership and direction for both the operations of the Marina Aquatic Center (the MAC) boating and water sports facility, and the Bruin Woods Family program at Lake Arrowhead Lodge. The Associate Director also develops and manages tiered financial models for sustainable service delivery for Youth & Family programs, and supports the Executive Director with special projects, and supports the management of relevant state and federal contracts and grants. This position serves as the primary leader for Bruin Woods and the MAC and cultivates key relationships with internal/external stakeholders. The Associate Director manages a budget of $2M+ and a staff of FOUR direct and FIVE indirect reports.

Reporting to, and working in close collaboration with, the Executive Director of UCLA Recreation, the incumbent engages with various leadership positions across campus and is responsible for supporting the integrity and quality of UCLA in the delivery of high-quality facilities, experiences, and services to students, faculty, staff, participants, guests, and the campus community. The incumbent participates in high-level decision making and leadership over this revenue generating and university funded recreational programs; the operation of recreation facilities; and other services and special initiatives. As part of the Executive Directors Leadership team, the incumbent develops and advances strategic goals, participates in managing department budget, and supports operational planning.

The UCLA Marina Aquatic Center (the MAC) is a grant-funded, vibrant waterfront recreational facility also housing the UCLA Men's and Women's Rowing Teams, UCLA Sailing Team, MAC Junior Rowing Team, and youth boating programs. The MAC employs FIVE full-time staff and 50+ Limited employees.

The Bruin Woods Family Camp program, the top alumni family camp in the country, runs for nine consecutive weeks each summer, with up to 80 families attending each week, and provides holiday and special event functions throughout the rest of the year. The program employs TWO Full-time year-round staff to support operations, as well as 60+ seasonal UCLA student and part-time employees.

This position requires in-depth knowledge of all aspects of revenue-generating activities and events, youth programs, professional and student leadership development, and policy guidelines. Additionally, the Associate Director is responsible for developing a comprehensive compliance, sustainable practices and risk management program for these programs, including analyzing and tracking trends, researching current laws and practice, updating policies, and promoting a culture of risk avoidance/mitigation; providing risk related staff training and student education opportunities; as well as collecting and assessing data related to program delivery, facility safety and risk management activities.

UCLA Recreation is a large department within the Division of Campus Life in Student Affairs with approximately 90 career and contract full-time employees and over 1,000 part-time employees. UCLA Recreation provides extensive access to a broad range of recreational activities and wellbeing services, and offers programming which encompasses the competitive, passive, social, cultural, and instructional aspects of recreational activity. In addition, the department manages 15 of the University's recreational and athletic facilities offering recreation, competition, and numerous multi-use options for student and university events.

Administration, Resource Management, and Assessment

1. Provide vision, leadership, strategic direction, development, and implementation for all components related to revenue generating programs, university funded programs and facility operations. Assist with the development and implementation of department mission, values, and outcomes. 

2. In coordination with the Executive Director, develop and implement planning processes aimed at incorporating views of stakeholders, users and students into the establishment of goals relating to the operational elements of recreation programs, facilities, and services for the department. Analyze potential goals in terms of emerging needs, impact upon service, staffing and budget. Identify critical resources, program adjustments or policy modifications as needed. Ensure departmental priorities are aligned with Campus Life and Student Affairs goals and strategic plans. 

3. Develop and direct policies pertaining to recreation services and facility operations. 

4. Oversee, interpret and enforce, policies and procedures for program delivery and facility management. Review policies and procedures to ensure the scheduling, sale, and delivery of recreation programs follow established departmental and divisional guidelines and priorities as well as conforms to established University policies and the procedures or related University agencies and offices. 

5. Oversee and direct managers in evaluating stakeholder and user satisfaction, critically analyzing usage and performance measures. Identify significant patterns and trends. Review recommendations with Department leadership and oversee implementation of changes, modifications or innovations as needed. 

6. Respond to concerns raised by stakeholders, students, customers and staff members. Respond to patron or stakeholder suggestions, needs and complaints regarding department policies or operations as needed. 

7. Coordinate and communicate with UCLA Athletics as needed to ensure consistent operations and program delivery at Marina Aquatic Center

8. Coordinate and communicate with other campus entities as needed to ensure consistent operations, program delivery and implementation of policies and procedures.  Ensure integration with centralized department operations including marketing, sales & service, purchasing and human resources. 

9. Periodically review staffing and organizational structure and recommend modifications, as needed, to ensure effective delivery of recreation services to campus audiences.

10. Identify, analyze and recommend to the Executive Director revisions to departmental programmatic offerings and facility usage, which would assist in maintaining or increasing operational efficiency, revenue production, responsiveness to audience needs or are designed to reach new or specialized audiences. Recommend strategies for funding and implementing such actions. Once funded, oversee and direct managers in the implementation process.

35%

Supervision of Personnel

1. Oversee the professional teams that manage the Bruin Woods program and the MAC.

2. Develop annual goals and objectives for professional staff based on department mission, outcomes, and strategic goals. 

3. Provide vision, leadership and strategic direction for units. 

4. Recruit, hire, train, and supervise professional staff who manage facilities and program operations.  5. Responsible for staff professional development, evaluation, and discipline. Ensure all direct reports and subordinate career and contract staff receive an annual performance evaluation in accordance with the Student Affairs Performance Management Program.

5. Delegate authority to managers as appropriate.

6. Delegate participation on a department-wide Risk Management team including safety training programs within the department. 

7. Review salary adjustments and performance awards for staff in conjunction with department business services staff. 

8. Guide program directors in conducting staff meetings with program/facility teams on a regular basis. 

9. Ensure department personnel are current with all necessary certifications, training, and policies related to safety and potential risk issues related to liability.

25%

Facility Management

1. Oversee and direct facility managers in the establishment and execution of policies and procedures for the operation and scheduling of recreational facilities. 

2. Support facility manager of Marina Aquatic Center with relationship with County of Los Angeles, including liaising with UCLA Real Estate.

3. Serve as the liasion to Bruin Woods general managers of Housing and Hospitality Services.  

4. Identify, analyze and recommend departmental facility improvement projects. Work with both internal and external partners as appropriate in the management of proposed and approved projects. 

5. Analyze and plan for the long-range development of additional facility capabilities to include recommendations of space needs, type and specifications of facilities, conceptual design, adjacency requirements and related financial planning. 

6. Assist the Executive Director in the development of proposals regarding departmental planning efforts or operational decisions. Conduct detailed research, prepare and/or edit written analyses and develop recommendations for proposal implementation as required. 

7. In conjunction with the Executive Director, review facility improvement projects including deferred maintenance, student fee funded minor and major capital improvement projects and equipment purchase. 

8. In conjunction with the Executive Director, review planning and overall operational protocols in providing facility management services for student events, special events, athletic programs and summer conference programs. 

9. Participate in the development and implementation of emergency action plans and drills; and security measures for the MAC and Bruin Woods facilities. Maintain UC Business Continuity Plan for multi-use sport and recreation venues. Liaison with campus partners in planning, and coordination during campus emergencies.

20%

Budget Administration

1. Develop annual unit budgets in conjunction with Executive Director, CAO/CFO, operations team, and business operations staff. Ensure budgets emphasize efficient and effective use of funds as well as cost containment for all fiscal activities. Responsible for forecasting and summaries of the unit budget, as well as strategic planning and budgetary analysis of new program opportunities. Analyze expenditures of each unit supervised and allocate use of funds appropriately between units. 

2. Analyze annual budget requests by unit managers and recommend allocation of funds to the Director. 

3. Review annual, semi-annual, quarterly, and monthly projections of income, expenditures, and participation. Recommend long-range budgetary goals and objectives.  

4. Support the enforcement of accountability measures to ensure compliance with University accounting, auditing and personnel principles, policies and procedures. 

5. In coordination with the Department's business services staff, ensure proper billing and recharging for services. 

6. Identify and develop new sources of revenue and assist with the preparation and implementation of rate proposals for fee-based activities. Participate in the development of long-range financial objectives and plans for revenue generating activities for Bruin Woods, the MAC, and as a consultant to Youth & Family Programs. 

7. Develop operating plans for the unit, translating unit and department goals into the budget and cultivating solutions for resource needs.

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

Bachelor's Degree

in related area and / or equivalent experience / training 

Required

And

Master's Degree

in Recreation, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field, or equivalent advanced experience and training

Preferred

UCLA Policy

Experience with staff policy and procedures

Preferred

UCLA Sytems

Experience with UC systems

Preferred

Experience leading business-process improvement, organizational-change initiatives, and information-systems implementations.

Required

Advanced management experience to analyze big picture and complex information/problems in an objective manner and derive logical conclusions to provide a sound basis for making decisions.

Required

A minimum of 5 years of experience, preferably in youth and camping programs or higher education institutes, creating programs and fostering student leadership.

Required

Experience working with students to facilitate their ideas and leadership as well as ability to advocate for students in spaces where there is a lack of student representation.

Preferred

Progressive managerial/leadership experience. Ability to engage and mentor team members and subordinate managers/supervisors.

Required

Red Cross CPR certification

By start date

Required

And

Standard First Aid Training Certification

By start date

Required

1. Expert ability to recognize problems and generate alternatives or offer solutions, based on existing guidelines.

Required

2. Ability to collaborate with colleagues to effectively attain department goals while monitoring compliance with divisional and departmental policies.

Required

3. Advanced Analytical skills to assess programs and procedures in order to assist students in proposal preparation, funding allocations and funding evaluations.

Required

4. Expert ability to formulate policies and procedures as well as make decisions on interpretation of existing policies and procedures while adhering to changing legal environments and UC guidelines.

Required

5. Deep experience working with student groups, employing fundamental counseling techniques with sensitivity sufficient to assist students in making program-related decisions.

Required

6. Advanced skill supervising professional and support staff; to oversee staff and work with colleagues who are well-trained, experienced, and highly-educated both generally and in their specialized fields, while being able to serve in a public relations capacity.

Required

7. Advanced budget management skills and experience required, including in-depth knowledge of all aspects of revenue-based recreation programs and the application of that knowledge in a University setting.

Required

8. Ability to understand academic priority, university procedures, safety and security concerns, judicial procedures, and relevant federal, state, and local laws.

Required

9. Ability to organize workload to accomplish established objectives while working independently with minimal supervision.

Required

10. Thorough experience and ability to effectively and diplomatically communicate; verbally to individuals, small, and large groups from diverse backgrounds, and in writing using proper grammar, spelling and style.

Required

11. Knowledge of university personnel, purchasing and accounting procedures.

Preferred

12. Knowledge and understanding of university governance, decision making processes, and the nuances of the tripartite faculty, student and staff campus culture and institutional history. Working knowledge of student programs and activities in a large, diverse university setting.

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.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Sunset Canyon Recreation Center

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.