Uses advanced operational concepts and objectives to resolve highly complex issues. Regularly works on issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Primarily deals with programs and proposals with broad impact across the function, research initiative, program and / or organization. Develops and oversees the implementation of new programs and processes.

The Assistant Director of Graduate Support Strategy and Stewardship is responsible for the value stream and oversees and manages the program via the contractually required compensation and benefits, support mechanisms and program requirements (e.g, TA) for graduate students in the BioSci Graduate Programs. Serves as a senior advisor to the School of Biological Sciences Graduate Committee, Council of Chairs and Deans/Chairs Committee, advising and providing analytical support and leadership on all aspects of graduate student program monetary support, compensation and benefits, appointments and employment mechanism for all the School's graduate programs.

Develops, implements, administers, and evaluates policies and practices for the smooth and efficient delivery of student compensation and benefit support services. Consults with and advises faculty, students, and campus administrators, works closely with academic and administrative departments, and collaborates with colleagues on graduate student all contract and program requirements for support and related graduate education matters. Develops short-term and long-term strategies for graduate student contract and program requirement support, including maximizing extramural support and ensuring that campus funds are equitably distributed to support the entire breadth of graduate education in the school.

Through analysis and innovation, the Assistant Director addresses and resolves complex graduate student contract and program requirement support issues and problems. Oversees and facilitates the establishment of standard work that supports streamlined processes for support of fellows, training grants, as well as all forms of program and contract required support for students. Works with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across all disciplines to define standard work and resolve process defects.

Responsibilities encompass a range of administrative, policy development, strategic planning, and advisory functions to ensure the seamless flow of all forms of program and contract required support for students in accordance with program policies and guidelines, including: Coordinating all forms of program compensation and contract required support for students and advising students, faculty, and staff on policies and procedures; developing and refining policies and processes for graduate program support; collaborating on strategic planning, budget analysis, and regulatory compliance; resolving complex all forms of program and contract required support for student issues and providing guidance on eligibility and discrepancies.

Responsible for assisting in the planning, coordination, and implementation of all forms of program and contract required support for students in the BioSci Graduate Programs.

Serves as primary advisor and resource to students, faculty, and staff regarding all forms of program and contract required support for student including developing School costs schedules, helping define required support, additional benefits and their corresponding expenditures, policies and procedures, and guidelines (University, funding source, union, etc.).

Acts as liaison with non-BioSci Departments to coordinate information required to provide all forms of program and contract required support for student, and appropriate titles. Responsibility for facilitating and coordinating, and monitoring compliance with hiring practices to be consistent with UCPath, UCOP, and sponsored project management via cross function teams. Leads workgroup to define standard work that allows for information to flow seamlessly to the point of contact that executes the work.

Works closely with Academic Program leadership, Finance team members, fund managers, development, Training Grant administrators, and HR team members to ensure the necessary flow of information to provide uninterrupted support all forms of program and contract required support for graduate student in accordance with program policy. Oversees and coordinates the value stream of support for graduate students, i Including all forms of program and contract required support for student

Collaborates in development and maintenance of systems/methods for tracking all forms of program and contract required support for students.

Review agreements to ensure all forms of program and contract required support for student is appropriately included, including MOU agreements, for all BioSci affiliate institutes including Salk, Scripps, Sanford-Burnham and La Jolla Institute. Can act as a point of contact for questions from these entities around required forms of support laid out in these agreements.

Collaborates in long range planning studies of students' support from their first year through a maximum of seven years and determines the ongoing impact on the graduate program's operations. Develop and evaluate new support plan models to respond to changing departmental, program and collective bargaining unit requirements for graduate student employees.

Develops and monitors execution of MOU for non-BioSci mentored student support, including verifying and coordinating funding sources with other departments per the MOU.

In partnership with SME, develop policies and procedures and resolve complex problems pertaining to graduate student support from various fund sources (i.e., fellowships, training grants, GSR appointments, and TA positions).

Develop and facilitate coalitions with similarly situated campus colleagues from other departments for consultative and rapid-response solutions finding.

Assists with researching, developing and implementing new and changing business processes. Work closely with the relevant members of the BioSci team in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies for student support procedures.

Identifies problem areas, formulates alternative solutions and makes recommendations for a wide variety of processes and administrative issues. Provides first line troubleshooting and resource/referral on complex execution of all forms of program and contract required support for student including, fellow and trainee populations.

Collaborates with leadership planning studies related to student support and School resource allocations. Performs continuing analyses and modeling to evaluate status resource allocation to ensure stable support to accomplish program goals.

Typical analyses include various models of graduate student support alternatives. Works with BI to develop relevant reports that can be used to make strategic decisions around support for graduate programs and impact changes to program funding or resource allocations.

Supports School leadership by providing guidance to changes in all forms of program and contract required support for student that may require programmatic and academic changes in future. Collaborates with gift fund analyst and grad program committee to ensure restricted funds, including gift funds, are optimally utilized.

Ensures compliance with federal and state requirements with contract; stays current with changes in the law. Participates in audits of internal records and processes and prepares recommendations for changes as needed. Ensures that the appropriate internal controls are addressed, maintained, and strengthened to protect University resources.

Reviews monthly reports related to all forms of program and contract required support for student Serves as lead in the determination of any campus related fees and benefits related to graduate students. As well as advising on operational impact to implementation.

Anticipate problems and solutions and make recommendations related to all forms of program and contract required support for student

Documents processes and procedures for graduate support coordination and stewardship.

Applies advanced understanding of industry practices and organizational policies and procedures to resolve highly complex or difficult assignments. Interpret and apply Campus, GEPA, federal, donor and state guidelines, including Block Grants for administering all forms of program and contract required support for student.

Collaborate directly with BioSci Academic Program leadership and Human Resources to resolve pay-related grievances for UAW GSR contract employees including appointment discrepancies, insurance payments, unauthorized benefit and tax deductions such as FICA and workers compensation.

Advise graduate students and faculty about source of support, eligibility, residency status, and overpayment agreements.

Functions as a resource on issues such as researching financial discrepancies, escalated customer service problems and vendor? concerns. Resolves difficult and complex customer inquiries related to graduate student support, including stipend and salary payments, tuition and fees, health insurance, appointment letters, direct deposit, taxation, etc. and provides assistance or referral with related questions or concerns.

Adept in providing unique perspective in the breadth of understanding how changes in one area may impact other areas.

In summary, the Assistant Director of Graduate Support Strategy and Stewardship plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth distribution of all forms of program compensation and contract required support for student and compliance within the BioSci Graduate Programs. Perform other duties as assigned.

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

• Advanced knowledge of common organizational- or research-specific and other computer application programs.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and influence, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.

• Advanced project management skills.

• Thorough knowledge of organizational or initiative processes, protocols and procedures.

• Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes.

• Advanced knowledge of applicable policy analysis techniques.

• Advanced analytical / problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal. Ability to write concisely, persuasively, and in summary form. Skill to compose, edit and proofread narrative sections of printed information. Ability to express verbally one's position, plan of action, evaluation or interpretation in a professional, concise, and courteous manner.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with faculty, students and staff using tact, diplomacy and discretion. Ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.

• Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuasion, leadership. Strong analytical, inductive and deductive reasoning skills. Strong demonstrated problem-solving skills. Demonstrated high-level critical thinking and interpretive skills to analyze situations, define problems, identify concerns, develop, propose and implement solutions. Creativity to analyze and solve unusual and new problems in ways that establish effective and efficient procedures.

• Ability to adjust to shifting priorities and work under short deadline situations while maintaining composure.

• Ability to work independently exercising initiative and judgment in the performance of responsibilities. Strong leadership, organizational, negotiation, decision-making and project management skills.

• Ability to analyze processes or services and implement long range plans to develop systems, make improvements, and fulfill complex organizational needs.

• Knowledge of University-specific computer application programs related to graduate student support. Skill in determining suitable utilization of computer applications to performance of task.

• Advanced skills in the use of spreadsheet and database software, and demonstrated ability to contribute to complex statistical analysis, forecasts and data projections for graduate student support.

• Demonstrated ability to extract pertinent information from computerized databases and other sources, conduct analyses, and prepare proposals and reports.

• Demonstrated skills in project management, leadership, and process re-design.

• Advanced leadership skills to provide coordination, build collaborations, and forge strong partnerships across teams and units.

• Skills include service orientation, ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high-volume environment; uses sound judgment and decision making, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to recommend and implement new approaches and innovative solutions to complex graduate student employment situations, and advise on decisions having School-wide impact.

• Strong mathematical skills and demonstrated experience analyzing data and payroll transactions, performing statistical summaries and calculations, determining and implementing appropriate actions. Sound knowledge of and experience with graduate student support and procedures.

• Strong knowledge of ASE/UAW union regulations related to graduate student academic appointments. Knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.

• Background check required.

• This position is eligible for a Hybrid flexible work arrangement, which could include a non-standard work schedule, and/or the ability to work off-site part of the time.

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