Director, Strategic Plan Initiatives

EXEC ADVISOR 4 (000554)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_941019

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

3/4/2026 11:14:25 AM

Date Last Edited:

3/4/2026 11:14:21 AM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

6200O

Organization:

CHANCELLOR'S ORGANIZATION

Division Code:

6210D

Division:

CHANCELLOR'S ORGNZTN DIV

Department:

380500 - CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_941019

Position Description ID

252443

UC Payroll Title:

EXEC ADVISOR 4 (000554)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 27

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

F: All Others - Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

41148024

Reports to Payroll Title:

EXEC ADVISOR 5

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40064339

Department Head Payroll Title:

EXEC ADVISOR 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.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Strategic Plan Initiatives works closely with the Special Advisor to define and structure the approach to drive the Strategic Plan implementation.

As part of this role, he/she leads the identification, implementation and continuous improvement of processes, methods and tools to establish a stable, repeatable and measurable framework for the strategic plan 2023-2028. In addition, he/she plays a key role to ensure momentum across a complex decentralized organization, by supporting change leaders across campus.

In addition, the Director, Strategic Plan Initiatives directly provides intensive support to campus leaders to facilitate the execution of the UCLA Connects flagship initiative. In this role, he/she tracks the whole strategic initiative portfolio, coordinates timelines and deliverables and works directly with units to move initiatives forward.

This role requires a leader with expertise in driving large, complex strategic plan initiatives, ideally in academia, with a particular focus on strategic delivery, change management and organizational design.

The Strategy Execution Team (SET), under the Special Advisor for Strategic Plan Initiatives, supports the implementation of institutional flagship initiatives by providing intensive support to campus leaders to facilitate the execution of the strategic goals of the plan, drawing upon proven approaches to drive execution. The SET is responsible for project coordination, progress tracking, communication, and stakeholder engagement to ensure implementation of the University's long-term strategic goals.

Strategic Portfolio Management 1

 • Partner with the Special Advisor to design and operationalize the delivery model of the Strategic Plan.

 • Build a centralized view of the four flagship initiatives included in the One UCLA strategic plan.

 • Develop framework, tools and templates to track initiative progress, interdependencies, milestones, and risks.

 • Identify risks, barriers and resistance points; Develop and implement mitigation strategies.

25%

Strategic Portfolio Management 2

 • Help develop and refine consistent processes for the flagship initiatives’ planning, monitoring and reporting.

 • Support leadership with regular updates, dashboards, and briefing materials.

 • In close collaboration with others, work with Strategic Plan leaders to refine goals, deliverables and success measures, including supporting campus-wide strategic planning refreshes and/or design processes.

 • In close collaboration with others, translate insights into clear, actional updates, which can be used for decision-making and communication.

25%

Change Management & Capacity Building

 • Help develop shared language and narratives that support adoption of strategic initiatives.

 • Capture lessons learned and best practices and help scale effective approaches.

 • Support the development of a network of supporters for the strategic plan and any related initiatives, support this network by providing them with tools and frameworks.

25%

Direct Implementation Support for UCLA Connects

 • Serve as point of contact and thought partner for key leaders involved in UCLA Connects sub-initiatives.

 • Facilitate working groups, cross-functional collaboration and planning sessions.

 • Support the formation of initiative working groups.

 • Help create project schedules, milestones and delivery dates, help estimate resources and clarify requirements.

 • Coordinate with internal partners to align support across initiatives.

 • Provide expert advice and serve as thought partner to key leaders involved in UCLA Connects.

 • Conduct benchmark research as appropriate.

 • Maintain reporting updates related to UCLA Connects.

25%

•

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

Preferred

Master's Degree

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Process Engineering, Organizational Development, or related field strongly preferred.

Preferred

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in public sector reform, or large-scale organizational change, preferably in higher education or comparable complex institutions.

Required

Demonstrated experience leading strategic plan implementation or similar large-scale initiatives.

Required

Expertise in portfolio management, strategic planning and execution, program management, and performance tracking.

Required

Demonstrated ability to manage, implement and evaluate complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Required

Strong organizational, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.

Required

Strong political acumen and diplomacy. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage and influence diverse stakeholders.

Required

Familiarity with project management tools & systems (Smartsheet, Asana) and/or dashboard (Tableau, Power BI); skilled in creating and developing highly effective processes.

Required

Ability to anticipate problems and difficult situations, troubleshooting to develop strategies to bring the parties involved to a mutually agreed upon solution.

Required

Highly organized, proactive, self-starter able to work well independently and collaboratively in a team environment with little supervision while maintaining an upbeat, positive attitude.

Required

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Required

Working knowledge of UC and UCLA departments, policies, regulations, guidelines, and resources for programming.

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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Murphy Hall

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.