DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, the Assistant Dean serves as the Senior Business Officer for the School of Biological Sciences and its Departments, Centers, Academic Programs, and Shared Administrative Service Units (SASU).

As a member of the Dean’s executive management team, the Assistant Dean serves as a strategic partner and resource for the Dean. Partners with Associate Deans, Department Chairs, and Senior Leaders to provide consultation and data-driven analysis on a wide variety of issues. Leads strategic resource planning for the School of Biological Sciences and Departments and well strategic program planning, in partnership with Dean, Department Chairs, and Senior Leaders. Leads the cohort of Senior Leaders who define and measure objectives tied back to School's strategic plans.

Makes decisions on operational matters and ensures achievement of objectives for School and Departments, that includes the largest undergraduate major in Biological Sciences across the country. The School has widespread impact across all VC areas, due to BioSci being a pipe line for life sciences, biotech and medicine, as well as research collaborations with VC SIO and VC Research. This position oversees a number of initiatives that result in a major impact to a wide segment of the organization and with significant multi-organizational or multi-institutional influence. In addition, the Assistant Dean collaborates closely with the Executive Vice Chancellor, other departmental leadership, and faculty to advance the School's strategic priorities, foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and drive institutional excellence.

This position leads BioSci's long-range strategic resource planning, strategic program development, and oversees internal controls to assess and mitigate risk. Provides broad range oversight and accountability for financial management and forecasting, business intelligence & reporting, accounting and budget, business development and contract analysis, research initiatives and proposal development, space management, facility operations and environmental health & safety; capital renovation and construction; academic personnel and human resources; institutional and policy development and analysis; administrative leadership; educational activities and student instructional support, community outreach, strategic communication and marketing, development, advancement and fund-raising efforts. Oversees annual budget planning process for School, Departments, Programs and SASUs and serves as the primary fiscal liaison with the VCAA. Develops business plans for revenue generating functions and new industry partnerships. Formulates and implements strategic, organizational, financial, and operational solutions to School, VCAA, and institution-wide issues.

The Assistant Dean oversees the School’s Executive Leader Cohort, which includes the Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Education Officer (CEdO), and Executive Director of Strategic Programs (Exec Dir), who directly manage the Shared Administrative Services Units that support the entire School. Develops and coaches senior leaders to ensure the SASU’s are meeting BioSci’s short and long term strategic goals. Partners with executive leaders, Chairs, and Dean to determine organizational restructures, team scope and reporting structure, with responsibility for managing all non-faculty functions and positions within School. Serve as key administrative liaison between BioSci and other UC San Diego offices and units. Represents the School and Academic Affairs on University-wide committees.

Reviews and approves recommendations for operational planning and control. Erroneous decisions will have serious impact on the overall success of the department, division and / or the organization.

Collaborates with senior leaders to inform and shape the Labor Relations strategy for the school, with a focus on student populations, particularly in BioSci, and provides guidance and support to ensure effective implementation.

The Assistant Dean of Biological Sciences position requires extensive collaboration and coordination with multiple Vice Chancellor areas, fostering a culture of partnership and cooperation to achieve shared goals. This position oversees joint programs and initiatives, coordinating joint financial and resource planning, providing academic personnel support for jointly appointed faculty, strategic oversight of research administration, collaborative research project funding, and facilities management, including space and capital construction for shared spaces and projects.

Moreover, the incumbent is tasked with ensuring that the School is aptly represented on decision-making bodies at both the campus and university levels, influencing resource allocations and institutional operations. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. An advanced degree in the biological sciences and / or business administration is preferred as is broad academic or private-sector administrative work experience preferred.

• Advanced knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; accounting and payroll. Strong demonstrated experience in financial and accounting systems, including modeling, forecasting, and planning. Ability to develop and implement such systems.

• Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques. Proven ability to identify and address issues before they become a crisis, effectively and efficiently facilitate and resolve conflicts.

• Skills in establishing and implementing customer service standards. Excellent ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals which measure effectiveness of contributions to efficient operations of department. Strong interpersonal, leadership, and supervisory skills, with a proven record of working collaboratively while achieving outcomes. Proven ability to function effectively in a diverse, evolving, and high-performance environment. Proven ability to maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations. Ability to use tact, diplomacy and discretion with emphasis on flexibility and professionalism.

• Advanced project management skills, including the capability to manage capital projects. Strong demonstrated ability to project budget costs, coordinate multiple projects, adapt programmatic objectives to changes in resources, and establish priorities as affected by budgetary issues.

• Very strong ability to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution.

• Advanced organization, assessment, problem solving, negotiation and decision-making skills with expertise in clarifying and resolving conflict situations and developing attainable goals and procedures.

• Excellent leadership abilities to oversee multiple functions or departments through subordinate managers. Strong demonstrated management experience with proven ability to analyze, interpret and apply good management and business principles, practices and techniques.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, that demonstrate correct grammar usage, syntax, editing and format, with ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a diverse group of people. Proven ability to understand and interpret complex materials and data and to formulate and present oral and written material in a logical and comprehensive manner.

• Strong knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs.

• Demonstrated skill to locate, identify, analyze and synthesize large quantities of financial or other data, identifying needs and developing recommendations.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, under pressure, using good judgment, with an appropriate sense of priorities and the ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism.

• Advanced knowledge of administrative management theory and ability to translate this knowledge into practice.

• Advanced skills in strategy development, systems planning and change management.

• Demonstrated ability to use initiative, creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish goals.

• Commitment to the university as an academic enterprise. Understanding of the value of basic biological research and training, with the ability to convey this to others.

• Experience leading shared administrative services units and designing innovative organizational structures to deliver a broad discipline of administrative and business services.

• Experience working with Advancement teams, philanthropy and donors to help shape key gifts to drive delivery of objectives of an academic unit.

• Willingness and demonstrated ability to embrace and consistently uphold the principles of community for a collaborative work environment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must pass a background check.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• Duties may require direct contact with children (defined as individuals under the age of 18).Completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) form will be required.