Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration, School of Education (0554U) #84657

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Berkeley School of Education is a professional school that offers doctoral degrees with 4 concentrations, master's degrees, master's/credential programs, and an undergraduate major degree and an undergraduate minor. The school enrolls slightly under 300 graduates and about 300 undergraduates annually. Including visitors, the staffing headcount total about 500. In addition to research, the school is highly visible in its international, national, state-wide and local outreach, professional development, and enrichment programs.

Position Summary

The Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), provides high-level strategic services in support of the mission, values, and vision of the Dean for the Berkeley School of Education. Involves providing strategic guidance, advising, and decision making on behalf of an executive (generally defined as Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, or Vice Provost), relative to strategic academic and resource planning, short and long-range policy development, communications, and high-level analyses of new program development. In addition to executive advising, may also manage an independent program and/or professional staff engaged in a range of administrative functions.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 03/16/2026.

Responsibilities

Strategic Advising:

• Serves as key strategic advisor, consultant, and thought partner to the Dean for academic and non-academic matters, often in relation to highly sensitive and/or political situations and those involving other members of the Dean's cabinet and Lead team.
• Provides in-depth and complex analyses across a broad spectrum of programs, policies, and strategic initiatives and oversees all administrative processes related to these matters.
• Responsible for short- and long-term strategic planning, program development, and resource allocations to meet organizational objectives. Investigates and problem-solves issues presented to the Dean by staff, faculty, and students.
• Responds to crisis situations and manages business resumption and recovery activities, ensuring strong internal communications to all stakeholders.
• Formulates and advises on administrative policy development and implementation, and designs creative administrative solutions to address challenges in the School for which there is no precedent.
• Applies breadth and depth of institutional knowledge to develop sound long- and short-term strategic plans and build relationships with key constituencies and stakeholders.
• Oversees the operation and administration of the Dean's Office.
• Develops systems to ensure that school-wide processes managed by the Dean's Office are efficient and effective; promotes a culture of customer service and professionalism.
• Develops contingency plans for potential high-impact events, such as recession or partial shutdown.

Strategic Financial Initiatives and Program Development:

• Leads strategic initiatives to support the school, including the exploration and development of new academic programs (Self-Supporting Degree Programs, Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition, satellite locations, etc.), partnering with campus and system partners to drive projects through completion.
• Provides guidance to program directors (faculty and staff) on new and existing programs and supports the development of programmatic and financial plans.
• Leads the Business Contracts process for the School and coordinates with legal support services for business contracts and external vendors, ensuring compliance with UC policies and procedures.

Financial Management:

• Independently designs and implements the School's annual and multi-year budget process, creates multi-year budget plans, provides strategic oversight and advises the Dean on resource management and allocations based on a thorough understanding of programmatic objectives and priorities, develops ad hoc reports, high-level analysis, business plans, pro-formas and financial models for existing and new programs, services, and strategic initiatives, and independently oversees the management of the financial operation.
• Manages a highly complex set of financial strategies designed to optimize financial resources and plays an integral part in the development of the strategic and academic plans to ensure integration across all operations, programs and affiliate programs.
• Determines expense priorities, recommends and implements changes to methodology, unit planning, staffing, programs and other financial activities.

Employee Management and Engagement:

• Directs the work of subordinate managers and supervisors responsible for administrative operations.
• Directly manages student services staff that support the PhD, Master's, undergraduate major and minor programs for the School, including curriculum analysis, student advising, admissions and fellowships and accreditation.
• Manages the Finance/Business Services Office staff in the review and management of school funds, ensuring compliance with financial policies and reporting requirements, and ensures the accuracy of financial information.
• Trains and oversees direct reports to achieve results, holding them accountable for the achievement of goals and metrics, as well as the collective success of the School.
• Provides feedback and coaching via regular check-ins and the Achieve Together program.
• Recommends hiring of new employees, salary actions, terminations, performance ratings, and other related issues of managed staff.
• Harnesses strong team-building skills as a means to build staff morale.
• Ensures all reports are fully trained and have the tools they need to perform successfully in their roles.
• Actively engages in and supports the professional and career development of reports.
• Oversees unit budget and expenditures, ensuring appropriate fiscal stewardship.
• Convenes a group of administrative managers from throughout the School to deliver information, updates, and training on a variety of administrative areas, as well as crisis response/recovery.

Academic Personnel and Human Resources:

• In partnership with the Associate Deans and Academic HR analysts, accountable for the School's academic personnel function which includes 28 ladder-rank professors, 7 non-senate adjunct professors, 22 represented lecturers, 28 Emeriti and recalled/visiting faculty, 209 non-faculty academics (e.g., academic coordinators, researchers, teacher special programs, postdoctoral scholars, etc.; represented and non-represented), and 47 graduate student instructors and researchers.
• Holds bi-weekly meetings with Academic HR analysts to support and streamline processes and ensure timely recruitment, appointment and retention of faculty including managing the annual Faculty FTE call.
• Provides strategic leadership to ensure high-quality service, consultation, and timely resolution of inquiries. Serves as an escalation point for complex issues, including labor relations, and for sensitive/high impact personnel situations.
• Accountable for the School's staff HR function including direct supervision of the HR Manager.
• Supports the Dean and faculty in all related decision-making and approvals, for a staff workforce of 100+ people (represented and non-represented; plus processing of 180+ student contingent workers), including position control, salary setting and equity, reclassification, retention, succession planning, involuntary separations, and employee/labor relations activities.
• Collaborates with the ProS HR Partner and Supervisor, in Berkeley Regional Services, to manage HR activities and ensure consistent application of policies and guidelines in alignment with the campus/UC system and the School's values.
• Develops a comprehensive compensation strategy and manages performance evaluation and merit processes.
• Analyzes new/changes to campus policies and systems to determine their impact and ensures successful implementation.
• In relation to both staff and academic HR, ensures compliance with campus, UC system, bargaining agreement, legal, and regulatory requirements in a complex, changing environment.
• Ensures supervisors, hiring managers, and administrative managers throughout the School are trained and knowledgeable in relation to HR policies, processes, and procedures.

Campus-level Engagement & Service:

• Represents the Dean, School and its programs on campus-wide bodies, including the Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) Group and serves as the liaison to central units (Financial Planning & Analysis, Office of Planning and Analysis, Controller, Capital Strategies, etc.).
• Serves on departmental and campus-wide service committees as appropriate (Curriculum, Policy and Admissions and Fellowships and CAO Planning Group).
• Participates in activities that enhance the campus community and/or larger community to further University service (Federal Funding impact, Senior Leadership Search Committees)

Professional Development:

• Stays well-informed and keeps abreast of higher education's current issues to provide the Dean with a broad perspective across the organization.
• Participates in workshops, trainings, and other development activities (e.g., people management courses, professional organizations, required UC training, etc.).

Required Qualifications

Strategic Planning & Execution:

• Ability to serve as a strategic thought partner for the Dean, as well as for other members of the Dean's Cabinet and Lead team.
• Demonstrates strong strategic, critical, and analytical thinking, and exceptional problem identification and resolution skills; very strong ability to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making.
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information.
• Ability to focus on vision and strategies, without neglecting operational details required to execute.
• Advanced skills in short- and long-range planning, program and project management, facilitation, and collaboration.

Financial Management:

• Has expert knowledge of financial policies, practices and systems, including fund accounting, budgeting and reporting techniques; human resource planning; accounting and bookkeeping, strategic planning methods and techniques, cash flow operations, and business operations; understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
• Ability to evaluate processes to establish and maintain appropriate accountability structures and strong internal control elements.

People & Administrative Management:

• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain cohesive, high-performing, results-driven teams through excellent training, coaching, mentoring, and management of direct reports, to achieve goals through subordinate staff, influence people at all levels, and to hold team members accountable for their performance and collective success.
• Proven ability to focus on priorities, strategies, and vision.
• Strong leadership skills; ability to inspire, organize and direct the activities of direct reports, professionals and peers within the organization.

Human Resources & Academic Personnel:

• Comprehensive understanding of human resources, including classification, recruitment, salary setting, learning and development, performance management, employee relations/labor relations, payroll, benefits and leaves, and separations.
• Comprehensive understanding of academic recruitment, appointment, and advancement (merit/promotion) processes.
• Strong knowledge of campus and system HR and AP policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Ability to interpret complex staff and academic HR policies and procedures with risk management exposure to the organization, including labor contracts, to prevent potentially litigious personnel actions.

Communication:

• Ability to represent the School and Dean professionally in all settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills, specifically as it relates to communicating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Expert skill in making persuasive and compelling arguments to achieve goals and objectives through both logic and appeal to positive motivations.
• Advanced skill in advocating for and representing the institution to its various publics.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, objectivity, sensitivity, discretion, professionalism, and exercise good judgment and tact.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Strong customer service orientation.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to be able to build and maintain relationships and work effectively across and outside of the organization, at all levels, and with a variety of populations including faculty, students, and staff.
• High degree of emotional intelligence; proven political acumen in complex, multi-layered organizations; ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
• Capable of leading a variety of stakeholder groups towards a common vision, and of navigating complex internal and external relationships, politics, and constraints.
• Highly skilled in facilitation and relationship building.
• Demonstrated experience building collaborations; ability to build deep and trusting relationships.
• Inspires trust, confidence, and credibility in others.
• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively.

Skills:

• Track record of strategic planning, project management, change management, risk management, process improvement, and managing across multiple important priorities. Results-driven; capable of working largely independently.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities successfully with a high volume of work in a complex working environment. High-level organizational skills and superb attention to detail. Comfortable, flexible, and adaptable in a fast-moving, high pressure, and constantly shifting environment.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Google Collaboration Suite, Smartsheet, and/or other related business software programs, systems, and databases, including working knowledge of a human resources management system (HRMS).
• Knowledge of financial systems, databases and reporting systems, with experience in financial analysis, data tracking and data analysis.

Education/Trainings:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of and/or can quickly learn the processes, protocols and procedures of the University of California system and in particular, UC Berkeley.
• Broad knowledge of the field of education and its specializations.
• Advanced degree and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $180,000.00 - $235,000.00. The pay scale for this classification is $138,200.00 - $271,200.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.