Sr. Associate Director of Operations and Strategy
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
The Senior Associate Director of Operations and Strategy (SAD-OS) is a key professional responsible for providing university-wide operational consultation and coordination across all Advancement Services initiatives and priorities. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, Advancement Services /Deputy Chief Operating Officer, UC San Diego Foundation, (COS/D-COO), the SAD-OS operates at the intersection of strategic direction and operational execution, translating high-level directives UCOP, Office of the Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor, Advancement into concrete plans and outcomes. Incumbent manages both special and ongoing campus- and Advancement Services-wide projects, ensuring resources remain aligned with UC San Diego's mission and fundraising goals while navigating sensitive, politically complex, and legally intricate matters with sound professional judgment. The SAD-OS advises and assists the Advancement Services Leadership Team in planning, resource allocation, and risk mitigation, leads continuous improvement initiatives, and drives operational efficiency through the adoption of innovative technologies and streamlined workflows. Serves as a subject-matter expert on UCOP, campus, and Advancement policies impacting Advancement Services—including the gift-acceptance delegation matrix—ensuring full compliance with UC system and Chancellor-Office guidelines while representing Advancement Services on campus-wide committees, task forces, and external partner engagements. Through the consolidation of strategic oversight, project execution, and policy expertise, the SAD-OS directly amplifies the effectiveness of Advancement Services and supports the university's broader fundraising and philanthropic objectives. Carries significant responsibility for cross-functional collaboration, engaging internal and external partners to advance institutional priorities. Reinforces UC San Diego's vision for fundraising leadership by upholding campus-wide policies, institutional risk management, and gift-acceptance practices.
Qualifications
Expert knowledge of common organizational- or research-specific and other computer application programs. Proven ability to provide critical analysis, using sound judgment with realistic expectations for projected results. Highly skilled communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with and influence others, both verbally and in writing. Exceptional communication skills, able to communicate effectively with both a technical audience and business users. Solid strategic, analytical, communication and organizational skills. Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills to effectively interact tactfully and diplomatically yet assertively, in a way that does not segment off the department, the campus or the community. Ability to use discretion and maintain all confidentiality. Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality, accuracy and attention to detail to respond to unexpected job demands and keep pace with rapidly changing priorities and deadlines. Strong organizational skills, with management and leadership ability to motivate staff and to act as role model for all development operations. Highly skilled in all levels of project management. Demonstrated experience working as a Project Manager or as part of a Project Management team. Experience creating high level and detailed process maps. Demonstrated ability to identify potential project or process roadblocks and produce solutions. Complete understanding of project management tools, procedures including strong MS Office skills. Expert knowledge of the organization's processes, protocols and procedures and external regulatory requirements in policy domain. Creativity and flexibility in approaching unique problems, as well as an understanding of the wider organization and university context in which these problems must be addressed. Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes. Experience in coordinating, implementing, and/or managing complex, diverse programs and functions for a diverse unit. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leadership including the ability to provide appropriate counsel, recommendations on a wide variety of issues that impact individuals which may be either internal or external constituents. Expert knowledge of applicable policy analysis techniques. Superior ability to identify, understand, analyze, and interpret complex written materials, situations and concepts and to effectively communicate results of analysis and recommend or implement effective courses of action. Expert analytical / problem-solving skills. Excellent analytical skills with proven ability to research and interpret data and present analyses both orally and in writing. Proven analytical and conceptual skill applied to the resolution of complex problems including identifying key issues, evaluating options, deriving logical conclusions and initiating strategies for action. Strong track record of successfully delivering on customer expectations, and implementing continuous improvement strategies. Demonstrated strong leadership skills, providing vision, motivation and guidance to colleagues and external stakeholders. Excellent analytical skills to research special projects, compile complex data, write analyses and formal documents. Excellent organizational skills; ability to determine workload priorities; manage special projects; develop comprehensive timetables and strategies to meet multiple and constantly changing deadlines; provide direction for a coordinated effort, and ensure accomplishment of objectives in a timely manner. Demonstrated use of initiative, creativity, and ability to problem-solve and provide recommendations or implement solutions to complex issues and needs. Recommend or implement appropriate course of action on behalf of management. Ability to properly handle sensitive issues that arise frequently in a rapidly changing environment. Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.