New

Associate Director, Special Programs & Initiatives

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
USD $86,400.00/Yr. - USD $184,800.00/Yr.
United States, California, Los Angeles
Mar 15, 2026
Department Summary UCLA Recreation is a large department within the Division of Campus Life in Student Affairs with approximately 90 career and contract full-time employees and over 1,000 part-time employees. UCLA Recreation provides extensive access to a broad range of recreational activities and wellbeing services, and offers programming which encompasses the competitive, passive, social, cultural, and instructional aspects of recreational activity. In addition, the department manages 15 of the University's recreational and athletic facilities offering recreation, competition, and numerous multi-use options for student and university events. Position Summary The Associate Director, Special Programs & Initiatives, provides leadership and direction for both the operations of the Marina Aquatic Center (the MAC) boating and water sports facility, and the Bruin Woods Family program at Lake Arrowhead Lodge. The Associate Director also develops and manages tiered financial models for sustainable service delivery for Youth & Family programs, and supports the Executive Director with special projects, and supports the management of relevant state and federal contracts and grants. This position serves as the primary leader for Bruin Woods and the MAC and cultivates key relationships with internal/external stakeholders. The Associate Director manages a budget of $2M+ and a staff of FOUR direct and FIVE indirect reports. Reporting to, and working in close collaboration with, the Executive Director of UCLA Recreation, the incumbent engages with various leadership positions across campus and is responsible for supporting the integrity and quality of UCLA in the delivery of high-quality facilities, experiences, and services to students, faculty, staff, participants, guests, and the campus community. The incumbent participates in high-level decision making and leadership over this revenue generating and university funded recreational programs; the operation of recreation facilities; and other services and special initiatives. As part of the Executive Directors Leadership team, the incumbent develops and advances strategic goals, participates in managing department budget, and supports operational planning. The UCLA Marina Aquatic Center (the MAC) is a grant-funded, vibrant waterfront recreational facility also housing the UCLA Men's and Women's Rowing Teams, UCLA Sailing Team, MAC Junior Rowing Team, and youth boating programs. The MAC employs FIVE full-time staff and 50+ Limited employees. The Bruin Woods Family Camp program, the top alumni family camp in the country, runs for nine consecutive weeks each summer, with up to 80 families attending each week, and provides holiday and special event functions throughout the rest of the year. The program employs TWO Full-time year-round staff to support operations, as well as 60+ seasonal UCLA student and part-time employees. This position requires in-depth knowledge of all aspects of revenue-generating activities and events, youth programs, professional and student leadership development, and policy guidelines. Additionally, the Associate Director is responsible for developing a comprehensive compliance, sustainable practices and risk management program for these programs, including analyzing and tracking trends, researching current laws and practice, updating policies, and promoting a culture of risk avoidance/mitigation; providing risk related staff training and student education opportunities; as well as collecting and assessing data related to program delivery, facility safety and risk management activities. Salary & Compensation UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits. Qualifications* UCLA Policy Experience with staff policy and procedures (Preferred) UCLA Sytems Experience with UC systems (Preferred) Experience leading business-process improvement, organizational-change initiatives, and information-systems implementations. (Required) Advanced management experience to analyze big picture and complex information/problems in an objective manner and derive logical conclusions to provide a sound basis for making decisions. (Required) A minimum of 5 years of experience, preferably in youth and camping programs or higher education institutes, creating programs and fostering student leadership. (Required) Experience working with students to facilitate their ideas and leadership as well as ability to advocate for students in spaces where there is a lack of student representation. (Preferred) Progressive managerial/leadership experience. Ability to engage and mentor team members and subordinate managers/supervisors. (Required) 1. Expert ability to recognize problems and generate alternatives or offer solutions, based on existing guidelines. (Required) 2. Ability to collaborate with colleagues to effectively attain department goals while monitoring compliance with divisional and departmental policies. (Required) 3. Advanced Analytical skills to assess programs and procedures in order to assist students in proposal preparation, funding allocations and funding evaluations. (Required) 4. Expert ability to formulate policies and procedures as well as make decisions on interpretation of existing policies and procedures while adhering to changing legal environments and UC guidelines. (Required) 5. Deep experience working with student groups, employing fundamental counseling techniques with sensitivity sufficient to assist students in making program-related decisions. (Required) 6. Advanced skill supervising professional and support staff; to oversee staff and work with colleagues who are well-trained, experienced, and highly-educated both generally and in their specialized fields, while being able to serve in a public relations capacity. (Required) 7. Advanced budget management skills and experience required, including in-depth knowledge of all aspects of revenue-based recreation programs and the application of that knowledge in a University setting. (Required) 8. Ability to understand academic priority, university procedures, safety and security concerns, judicial procedures, and relevant federal, state, and local laws. (Required) 9. Ability to organize workload to accomplish established objectives while working independently with minimal supervision. (Required) 10. Thorough experience and ability to effectively and diplomatically communicate; verbally to individuals, small, and large groups from diverse backgrounds, and in writing using proper grammar, spelling and style. (Required) 11. Knowledge of university personnel, purchasing and accounting procedures. (Preferred) 12. Knowledge and understanding of university governance, decision making processes, and the nuances of the tripartite faculty, student and staff campus culture and institutional history. Working knowledge of student programs and activities in a large, diverse university setting. (Preferred) Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required) And Master's Degree in Recreation, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field, or equivalent advanced experience and training (Preferred) Red Cross CPR certification By start date (Required) And Standard First Aid Training Certification By start date (Required) Special Conditions for Employment Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation. Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment. CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse". Schedule 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. PT/variable based upon operational needs. Union/Policy Covered 99-Policy Covered Complete Position Description https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Administrative%20Supervisor%202%20(TBD_941116)