Project Manager for Academic Initiatives and Planning

PROJECT MGT PROFL 3 (004473)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_940650

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

12/9/2025 5:15:33 PM

Date Last Edited:

12/9/2025 5:15:28 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

3500O

Organization:

UCLA TEACHING AND LEARNING

Division Code:

3510D

Division:

UCLA TEACHING AND LEARNING DIV

Department:

495000 - TEACHING & LEARNING CENTER

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_940650

Position Description ID

247412

UC Payroll Title:

PROJECT MGT PROFL 3 (004473)

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:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

41127365

Reports to Payroll Title:

Admin Supervisor 2 - Director for Insfrastructure and Special Projects

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

41017563

Department Head Payroll Title:

Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Manager (PM) for Academic Initiatives and Planning serves as a key member of UCLA's Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), supporting strategic and high-impact academic initiatives that advance teaching excellence, curricular innovation, digital accessibility, and institutional effectiveness. Reporting to the Director for Infrastructure and Special Projects, the Project Manager provides comprehensive project management expertise to plan, coordinate, and implement complex, multi-stakeholder and multi-unit projects within the Center and in collaboration with a broad range of academic and administrative partners across campus.

This position is responsible for managing project lifecycles from conception to completion, - including initial scoping, execution, assessment, and closeout - ensuring clear communication, identifying key milestones, risk management, accountability, and alignment with institutional and organizational goals. The Project Manager will develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and documentation; facilitate meetings and decision-making processes; and monitor progress toward deliverables.

The incumbent will support major campuswide initiatives, including the Classroom Modernization Initiative, AI in Teaching and Learning, Digital Accessibility efforts, Educational Innovation Grants, and additional projects as assigned. The Project Manager also serves as a primary liaison between the TLC and non-academic units such as Facilities Management, UCLA Extension, Digital Technology Solutions (DTS), and other administrative partners, requiring strong coordination, collaboration, and relationship-building skills to facilitate planning, resolve operational issues, and streamline cross-unit processes.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in project management, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to navigate and build relationships within UCLA's diverse and dynamic academic environment. Success in this role requires a highly communicative, proactive, and data- and detail-oriented professional committed to supporting UCLA's mission of teaching and learning excellence and managing multiple concurrent projects in a complex academic setting.

The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) supports UCLA's community of educators in engaging in inclusive and research-based teaching practices in support of diverse learners, advancing instructional innovation and pedagogical research, and celebrating teaching excellence. To realize this mission, the TLC collaborates with instructors, leadership, and various campus partners to champion visionary ideas and forward-thinking initiatives that transform and elevate the teaching enterprise.

Project Planning, Execution, and Evaluation

 • Lead planning, execution, and assessment of academic and administrative projects within the TLC and in partnership with campus stakeholders.

 • Develop detailed project plans, schedules, timelines, and documentation to ensure coordination, effective implementation, and completion of deliverables; support expense tracking and ensure alignment with allocated project budget. 

 • Track progress toward deliverables; review and coordinate changes in scope or other project revisions; identify and communicate change processes; provide regular status updates and reports to project eadership; identify and manage project risks, dependencies, and resource needs.

 • Ensure alignment of project outcomes with institutional priorities, deadlines, timelines, compliance standards, and academic operations.

 • Support the administration and tracking of assigned projects and strategic initiatives.

45%

Cross-Unit Coordination and Support

 • Coordinate planning, information flow, and logistics to support large-scale academic initiatives, including Classroom Modernization, Educational Innovation Grants, Digital Accessibility, and AI in Teaching and Learning.

 • Streamline academic project management across units by developing frameworks, workflows, and leveraging relevant tools (e.g., Asana).

 • Facilitate collaboration and communication with administrative and academic departments to support and promote efficient operations, shared project ownership, and successful documentation and implementation of academic initiatives.

 • Serve as a primary liaison between the TLC and non-academic units, such as Facilities Management, UCLA Extension, Digital Technology Solutions, to further project goals and facilitate collaboration.

 • Promote effective collaboration across units and maintain productive relationships with internal and external partners.

35%

Communication, Documentation, and Stakeholder Engagement

 • Prepare agendas, materials, and detailed meeting summaries; ensure documentation of decisions and next steps.

 • Draft reports, proposals, presentations, and project summaries for project leadership and partners.

 • Facilitate clear, consistent communication with project teams.

 • Support TLC strategic planning and assessment efforts, including reporting related to assigned projects.

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

Bachelor's degree in education, business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Required

Master's Degree

Master's degree in education, business administration, public administration, or a related field and/or equivalent experience in project management within a higher education or academic environment.

Preferred

5 Yrs of Experience

Minimum of five years of experience managing complex projects and involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

Required

At Least 1-2 Years of Experience

Working on projects in an academic environment.

Preferred

Project management certification such as PMP, CSM, ACP, or CAPM to include a qualifying exam and/or quality assurance process like Six Signma or Lean or equivalent project mgmt experience required.

Preferred

Demonstrated knowledge of project management principles, tools, and methodologies.

Required

Familiarity with UCLA's organizational structure, governance processes, and academic operations.

Preferred

Proven ability to plan, organize, and execute complex multi-stakeholder projects from initiation through completion on time and within scope.

Required

Experience supporting academic planning, curricular enhancements, or institutional effectiveness initiatives.

Required

Demonstrated ability to anticipate obstacles and plan for contingencies, with strong analytical skills to interpret data and support evidence-based planning, and experience managing projects involving data analysis, assessment, or technology implementation in academic settings.

Required

Ability to communicate information effectively.

Required

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports, presentations, and thorough documentation.

Required

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across campus.

Required

High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment handling confidential or sensitive information.

Required

Demonstrated ability to work independently, as part of a team, and across units in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Required

Proficiency with office productivity software and project tracking/management tools and dashboards (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, etc.).

Required

Ability to work on campus with the potential for a hybrid schedule.

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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Powell Library

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.