Executive Director, Berkeley Discovery and Berkeley Connect (0568U), Undergrad Edu Administration - #85139

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 Division of Undergraduate Education (UE) engages the campus on vital academic initiatives that enrich the UC Berkeley undergraduate experience. The division offers programs and services that support the diverse Berkeley community of students, faculty, and staff in teaching, learning, and discovery. Under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, UE formulates and implements both campus strategy around undergraduate education and the student experience, and directs the operational work of academic support units; American Cultures Center, the Athletic Study Center, Berkeley Changemaker, Berkeley Connect, Berkeley Discovery, the Biology Scholars Program, Research, Teaching and Learning, and the Student Learning Center.

Position Summary

The Executive Director for Berkeley Discovery and Berkeley Connect leads two major campuswide initiatives that link undergraduate students with research experience, mentorship, and real-world applications of academic learning. As the senior staff leader overseeing these two programs, the person in this role collaborates with faculty leadership to prepare students to thrive at Berkeley and beyond. Supported by a talented and hardworking team of professionals, postdocs and student employees, the Executive Director ensures that programming for Berkeley Connect and Berkeley Discovery reaches thousands of students each year.

Berkeley Discovery, founded in 2020, facilitates applied learning opportunities for undergraduates by creating and scaling opportunities for mentored research and innovation, supporting curricular innovation, and maintaining the Discovery Opportunities Platform - a Berkeley-specific online directory for research positions, internships, fellowships, and more. At a time when higher education demands innovation, Berkeley Discovery scales programs and partnerships that help students develop intellectual agility, collaborate across disciplines, tackle open-ended challenges, and apply their learning to visionary ideas. Berkeley Discovery empowers every student to graduate with confidence, having already applied their talents to real-world challenges.

Berkeley Connect, founded in 2014, links undergraduate students with graduate students and faculty members in a structured mentorship environment to make a big campus feel smaller, teach students professional skills, and provide space to delve into large intellectual questions. Berkeley Connect is founded on the idea that when undergraduate students connect with graduate students, faculty members, and one other, they develop a sense of belonging that allows them to engage with the challenges and opportunities Berkeley provides. This cascading mentorship program supports graduate students as they complete their dissertations while transforming the undergraduate experience from one of competitive academic pressure to one of authentic community engagement.

The Executive Director reports to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and works with faculty directors and divisional leadership to develop and iterate on the strategic vision and design of Berkeley Connect and Berkeley Discovery. This position is responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the programs and for supervising the staff and postdocs that are associated with the programs.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 04/03/2026.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

• Provide leadership, guidance and policy-related direction for Discovery and Connect by leading the planning, development and implementation of new programs and organizational structures required to implement policies and programs.
• Implement the strategic vision of Berkeley Discovery and Berkeley Connect, with program staff and through deep partnerships with campus partners.
• Develop and foster new and existing partnerships and areas of collaboration across campus, including with other programs focused on or adjacent to research, internships and mentorship, such as the Graduate Division, Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarship (OURS), Berkeley Career Engagement, Office of Faculty Equity and Welfare, etc.
• Lead and support policy and compliance issues in collaboration with campus partners such as Employee & Labor Relations, Academic Personnel Office, Office of Student Conduct and other campus units as needs arise.
• Serve on the Division of Undergraduate Education Leadership Team.
• Consult with senior administrators, deans, chairs, and academic department leaders on the current mentorship needs of undergraduate students.
• Evaluate short- and long-term trends in student demographics, academic profiles, and current educational practices; adapts program practices to respond to these trends, and advises campus leaders on other necessary adaptations in practice and policy.

Fundraising and Budget

• Work with the Faculty Directors and philanthropic leadership to set and work towards fundraising goals. This includes contributing to proposal drafts and cases for support, identifying additional partnerships and grant opportunities, and drafting or overseeing reports to funders.
• Support Faculty Directors with donor stewardship and, where appropriate, serve as the primary point of contact (e.g. with foundation program officers).
• Manage program budgets in collaboration with divisional finance team and at times in partnership with other campus financial leaders as relevant.

Staff Supervision

• Manage a team of professional staff direct reports.
• Conduct regular performance reviews provide professional development and growth coaching for staff members as relevant.
• Oversee the work of postdoctoral scholars engaged with the programs.
• Ensure that professional staff provide appropriate supervision and guidance for student employees.
• Assign responsibilities to staff and determine division of labor in order to offer desired programming.

Program Assessment and Improvement

• Oversee program assessment and the creation of reports, dashboards, and/or reporting mechanisms to share outcomes and impact, in partnership with the UE Director of Data Analysis and Assessment, program staff, and Faculty Directors.
• Recommend and implement programmatic changes and innovations based on assessment results.
• Leverage assessment results to advocate for programs and for greater investment in program areas.

Required Qualifications

• Highly skilled communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with and influence others, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to lead through influence across organizational boundaries and hierarchies; adept at navigating complex and sensitive projects with tact, respect, and political acumen.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Expert knowledge of the higher education landscape and trends in hands-on learning, mentorship, and project-based learning.
• Highly skilled in all levels of project management.
• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.
• Expert analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Expert knowledge of Google suite and experience with other relevant business and professional software.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a close-knit team.
• Experienced people manager.
• Enthusiastic, innovative, and creative.
• Understanding of professional development needs of undergraduate students.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat and Qualtrics.
• Expert knowledge of and/or can quickly learn UC Berkeley's processes, protocols and procedures related to undergraduate education.
• Previous experience organizing or supporting mentorship programs and/or programs that create community engagement through a tiered dissemination model.
• Experience working with philanthropic donors and engaging in fundraising outreach.
• Experience managing represented staff members in a union environment.
• Advanced degree in 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 $145,000.00 - $167,750.00.

• 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.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

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.