Senior Director of Student & Academic Affairs, School of Journalism (4579U) #89749

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 makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

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Departmental Overview

The UC Berkeley School of Journalism is a global leader in journalism education, preparing exceptional fact-finders and storytellers to report the stories of our times and hold power to account. At a time of profound changes in the media and challenges to journalism, UC Berkeley Journalism champions press freedom, embraces innovation, and expands who gets to be a journalist.

Based at the world's leading public university, UC Berkeley Journalism is the only journalism master's program in the University of California system. The school is led by a world-class faculty of journalists and offers a two-year Master of Journalism degree to some 120 graduate students and a journalism minor to more than 300 undergraduates. UC Berkeley Journalism is also home to the pioneering, state-funded California Local News Fellowship program, which provides jobs for early career journalists in local newsrooms throughout the state, and to the award-winning Investigative Reporting Program.

UC Berkeley Journalism's reputation is bolstered by the accomplishments of faculty, students, and alumni whose stories challenge conventions, change policies, and upend injustices. These journalists have won or been finalists for dozens of prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Student Academy Award for Best Documentary, the George Polk Award, the Online News Association's Student Journalism Award, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and more.

We live in a pivotal moment when journalism education can help restore American democracy by strengthening bonds of trust and credibility in journalism and by bringing new voices, new leaders, and new methods to the field. We see journalism on the rise and invite you to rise with us at UC Berkeley.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Student & Academic Affairs is responsible for strategic and operational management of all student services for the School of Journalism. The position provides assistance to the Dean, the Associate Dean, the faculty, and students in academic advising, recruitment, admissions, financial aid, the evaluation and awarding of fellowships and block grant funds, student orientation and events, career counseling, and related programs and supervises four full-time career staff working in these areas. The position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and receives broad directives on initiatives, working independently and strategically to create and sustain a welcoming and inclusive student culture and climate.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is November 12, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

Staff Management

• Directs a team of four professional student services staff who provide the full range of academic advising to department students and service to Department Chairs/Deans, Faculty, and prospective students.
• Monitors and evaluates employee performance, salary actions, hiring decisions, and other human resources-related issues of managed staff.
• Recommends employee selection and corrective action to the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate and ongoing training of student services staff, as needed.
• Leads the student services staff in the planning and implementation of high-visibility events, e.g., orientation, Journalism showcases, and commencement.
• Provides direction to student services advisers on complex student matters.
• Manages and supervises the Admissions Director and the Director of Career Services staff in developing strategic initiatives, administering the budget, assessing the needs of the student services unit, and innovating new approaches to achieve the unit's goals.
• Recognizes issues with campus impact or future implications and advises managed employees accordingly.

Program Strategy Development

• Develops, interprets, and administers student services programs. Full functional responsibility and authority for planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of the student services programs.
• Leads curriculum planning, classroom scheduling, enrollment management, including Concurrent Enrollment and ASE hiring.
• Leads student financial aid and fellowships. Develops funding models for our student groups and advocates on their behalf.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the student academic advising function, and makes changes to the program to provide better service to organizational management, faculty, and students.
• Leveraging current systems and utilizing new technology, works to streamline systems and business processes related to major applications, student records, and other student-related activities and services.
• Works effectively with people from diverse cultures on issues such as performance management, organizational change, workplace climate, and related topics.
• Works with faculty on initiatives around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Coordinates with development staff on various fundraising efforts and supports the School's alumni relationship-building efforts.
• Serves on School committees, as needed.

Resource Management

• Plans, develops, and administers the school's student services budget of roughly $100,000 and student financial aid budget of roughly $1.6 million.
• Monitors the budget's progress and effectiveness, ensuring operations run smoothly and meet objectives.
• Submits the annual budget, participates in quarterly budget reviews, and responds to forecasts.
• Leads monthly audit on spending.
• Provides broad directives to staffing of operational areas within the unit.
• Decides which resources will be committed to goals and objectives and how they will be allocated.
• Evaluates school resources dedicated to operations and decides management for equipment care, building maintenance and access, staffing and resources of key events, and advises employees accordingly.

Student Advising & Hiring

• Applying advanced academic advising concepts and experience, identifies and refers for resolution intricate student issues, such as alleged discrimination, complex grade disputes, and students' personal crises.
• Serves as department agent in interventions for students emotionally or psychologically at risk.
• May personally provide students with academic advice on progression and requirements.
• Represents the student academic unit to the campus community and relevant external constituencies.
• Serves as a resource for information and training of faculty on university policies and procedures surrounding grades, including grade changes, grade appeals, and the removal of Incompletes.
• Maintains and secures grade sheets and final course grade reports.
• Provides advice to instructors about issues concerning grades, DSP accommodations, suspected academic misconduct, and other procedural/policy matters.
• Recognizes issues that have campus-wide impact or future implications and advises managed employees, faculty, Managers, Vice Chairs, and the Chair accordingly.
• Leads the recruitment, assignment, and onboarding of approximately 10 ASEs each year: tutors, readers, and GSIs.

Professional Development

• Participates in ongoing professional development.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of common university-specific computer application programs
• Knowledge of departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences in a higher education environment.
• Skills in monitoring/assessing people, processes, or services to make improvements.
• Skills in project management, social perceptiveness to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Ability in problem identification and reasoning.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems using persuasion and leadership.
• Experience working with data and related software, using spreadsheets, conducting analyses, creating surveys, and interpreting data for presentations.
• Embraces the strategic goal of creating an equitable and inclusive program that fully honors the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff and expands opportunities for those from underserved backgrounds and communities.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with student services and advising at UC or comparable institutional experience.
• Advanced knowledge of university and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences in a higher education environment.
• Master's degree in a related area 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 $106,900.00 - $136,800.00.

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

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 2 days/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• 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

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.