Job Description

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
To learn more about UC Irvine, visit .

Founded in 1965, the Samueli School of Engineering educates more than 4,600 students (3,728 undergraduates and 961 graduates) with an integrative approach that blends fundamentals, research and hands-on experience. The School's aim is to unleash innovation, create
opportunities and inspire ingenuity. The School's faculty members are leaders in their disciplines who have achieved worldwide recognition for their research and dedicated teaching. The School includes six academic departments. Under the leadership of the Dean, the School
pursues research that is timely, socially responsible and cutting edge, and works in partnership with industry, state, and federal agencies to promote the transfer of research to applications that benefit society.


The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) in the Samueli School of Engineering is a diverse, fast-growing community of 31 full-time faculty, and 9-affiliates, with numerous nationally and internationally recognized with honors and awards. There are dozens of professional researchers, 175+ graduate students, and over 1243+ undergraduates in nationally and international recognized programs. With a multitude of national recognitions, MAE is highly ranked by US News and World Report for its Undergraduate and Graduate academic programs. MAE has five major research thrusts with approximately $4.8M of related research expenditures; six-world class center affiliations and an impressive list corporate affiliates.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a critical position providing leadership in the management of financial, personnel, student affairs, facilities, administrative and research operations for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering. Reporting to the Department Chair with a dotted reporting line to the Senior Assistant Dean/Chief of Staff, the CAO provides daily management and oversight of an administrative team including instructional lab support, facilities, financial and business operations, personnel management and graduate student support. The management functions are highly complex, encompassing teaching, extensive research and outreach components. The CAO exercises maximum initiative and sound leadership within the parameters of school and university policies and regulations to accomplish the goals and objectives of the department. Develops and determines innovative solutions and implements actions to resolve issues. Acts as administrative liaison for the department, consultant and member of various campus and departmental committees. This position models strong professional ethics, exercising tact and diplomacy when handling sensitive and complex matters in a fluid environment.

Total Compensation

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits .

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $$104,900- $135,000 (Annual).

• Proven leadership abilities to establish department goals and motivate and influence others to achieve. Demonstrated management ability to direct and supervise professional and staff positions; ability to train, motivate and provide effective and sound judgment and leadership.
• Broad knowledge of the organization's processes, protocols and procedures with a focus on budget, account and fund management and / or personnel management under labor contract(s) and personnel policy.
• Broad knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources (staff and academic programs) and risk management planning; and / or accounting and payroll.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to influence / persuade all levels of staff. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility. Strong demonstrated problem solving, negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Skills in organization and customer service to effectively manage multiple important priorities. Proven ability to organize department work functions in an efficient and effective manner.
• Broad knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs. Knowledge of and experience with administrative computing, hardware, software and web capabilities with the ability to assess administrative computing support needs and implement effective systems.
• Skills to work collaboratively with other locations. Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality. Demonstrated experience in utilizing good judgment and discretion when working with a variety of complex and sensitive issues.
• Proven skills to quickly evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution. Demonstrated ability to view planning and operational issues in a comprehensive picture both in terms of current complexities and interactions and in long-term consequences.
• Demonstrated management and conflict resolution skills to effectively lead and motivate others. Demonstrated leadership skills and experience with proven ability to apply successful management principles, practices and techniques
• Experience in planning, analyzing and managing diverse fields such as: organizational growth and development, policy, space, information systems, and workflow systems while considering a wide variety of objective and subjective variables.
• Ability to develop quantitative and qualitative methodologies, strategies, and evaluative criteria in order to independently solve complex problems under a variety of uncertain conditions
• Proven ability to function effectively in a fast paced, frequently changing environment. Ability to provide leadership in implementing organizational change.
• Demonstrated high level skill in assessing needs and developing strategies to support diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student affairs functions and educational support systems.
• Demonstrated experience with process improvement initiatives and implementing administrative best practices.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• 10+ years Management of an academic department

Special Conditions:

• • Must pass a background check

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page -

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: .
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: .
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or [email protected].

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