Deputy Director, UC Santa Cruz Healthcare Pathways

Our campus is located in Santa Clara, CA, the Heart of Silicon Valley. We like to say that it's here where the next generation of innovation is born.

Do you have a track record of:
* Managing multi-program operations, as well as navigating contract and procurement lifecycles (including vendor selection and management)?
* Progressive experience directly leading, onboarding, and managing performance of staff in an inclusive, productive work environment?
* Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills with experience delivering persuasive presentations?
* Excellent skills in engaging and collaborating with new people, key stakeholders, volunteers, community allies, and partners?
* Using data tracking systems and databases to track program KPIs, analyze trends or patterns, predict outcomes, and report metrics?
* Experience working with and managing volunteers?
* Experience overseeing the production of outreach and promotional materials?
* Experience with grant writing, managing grant deliverables, and grant reporting?
* Strong skills in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, presentation software, and project management platforms?

If you answered "YES" or "ABSOLUTELY YES" to the questions above, the Deputy Director, UC Santa Cruz Healthcare Pathways Programs may be the position for you.
Note: This is a hybrid position, located in the South Bay Area region. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-07-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UCSC Extension Silicon Valley's Healthcare Pathways Program is designed for adult learners who are passionate about achieving a career in health care. This accelerated program allows students who have received a Bachelor's degree to complete the courses that most medical and other pre-health programs require. This program provides students with intensive guidance, coaching and support to guide towards a successful admission into a medical/health profession program to embark on a career in medicine.

The Healthcare Pathways Program is a UC Santa Cruz partnership between the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences and UCSC Extension Silicon Valley. The goal of the program is to prepare students for acceptance into medical school and a career in medicine, with a particular focus on underrepresented students in the Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara areas. These students are likely to return to their communities to practice their profession, thus helping alleviate the growing shortage of health professionals in these areas and California in general. Once this pre-med program is launched, it will be expanded to a variety of health professions, such as nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants and other health professions.

A major component of our program is to build a more equitable community within the greater Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay and South San Jose areas, with a focus on recruiting students from underrepresented communities into the post-baccalaureate program so that they can successfully apply to medical school. Although the program isn't solely for students who are underrepresented, we are committed to improving the health status of people who live in our region.

The overall program oversight is by UCSC Extension Silicon Valley and UCSC Physical and Biological Sciences.

Program Oversight of Classes: UCSC Physical and Biological Sciences
Program Administration & Operations: UCSC Extension Silicon Valley

More information can be found at https://www.ucsc-extension.edu/health

JOB SUMMARY

The Deputy Director provides high-level operational strategy, executive administration, and tactical oversight for a rapidly expanding, multi-tier healthcare career pipeline. This pipeline encompasses three distinct Postbaccalaureate cohorts (Silicon Valley, Central Coast, and DIY), a summer High School Health Academy, and an International Medical Graduate (IMG) residency readiness pathway.

The incumbent is assigned primary responsibility for day-to-day program administration which includes identifying and resolving issues, identifying, designing and creating critical and scalable organizational infrastructure to support core services, including MCAT preparation, science course proposal development, and clinical mentorship. Program operations include managing student enrollment funnels, overseeing complex multi-program fiscal data and budget tracking, coordinating cross-departmental operations, and serving in the Executive Director's absence.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $111,720 - $120,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Santa Clara, CA and Marina, CA

Union Representation: RP Union

Job Code Classification: 005214 (ACAD PRG MGT OFCR 3 RP)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Operations Leadership, Strategy & Daily Management

• Operational Continuity: Act with delegated authority to ensure business continuity, manage daily operational issues, and make critical programmatic decisions in the Executive Director's absence.
• Supporting Staff: Provide direct support to the operational team, contract instructors, and student assistants; exercise independent judgment in orienting personnel, including onboarding, training, and assigning daily tasks.
• Strategic Planning & Process Optimization: Serve as a key contributor to long-term strategic planning and standardize operational workflows to scale programs efficiently; provide best-practice guidance on data governance, new project coordination, and organizational efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement & Data Reporting: Develop and monitor operational KPIs to track program workflow, workload capacity, and student service levels. Track and report on enrollment trends, partnership data, and program success metrics to senior leadership.

25% - Enrollment Funnel, Stakeholder Relations & Compliance

• Enrollment Operations: Oversee the end-to-end enrollment and onboarding funnel, including application management, transcript evaluation/review tracking, and tuition payment processing for both post-bacc and high school students.
• Advisory & Faculty Support: Coordinate logistics and administrative structures for the medical advisory committee, full-time/adjunct faculty, and laboratory teaching assistants.
• Partnerships & Stakeholder Relations: Actively cultivate high school partnerships to expand the recruitment pipeline, managing relationships with school counselors, district administrators, and community organizations. Engage in external student outreach to guarantee business continuity.
• Institutional & Youth Compliance: Ensure all pipeline activities strictly adhere to UC policies, state regulations, and accreditation standards. Manage specific youth-safety risk protocols for minors, including background checks, liability waivers, and health clearances.

20% - Pipeline Administration & Academic Support

• Multi-Cohort Execution: Oversee the day-to-day operational lifecycles of the Silicon Valley, Central Coast, and DIY Post-Bacc programs, ensuring logistical infrastructure supports the delivery of MCAT prep, advising, and mentorship frameworks.
• Summer Academy & Pathways Operations: Serve as the primary operational lead for the summer High School Health Academy and the International Medical Graduate (IMG) residency readiness pathway, coordinating room logistics, faculty staffing, student housing, and daily programming schedules.
• Academic Liaison: Lead the administrative process for submitting new course and certificate proposals. Coordinate with faculty, Department Chairs, and steering committees to ensure compliance with UCSC Extension and division standards.

15% - Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis & Resource Infrastructure

• Financial Consultation & Budgeting: Partner with the Executive Director and the central Finance team to manage long-term financial planning and financial health. Translate complex multi-program funding streams (tuition, grants, philanthropy) into clear operational budgets and analyze revenue/expense requests.
• Database Management: Create, maintain, and optimize tracking databases for expected revenues and expenditures to ensure long-term fiscal stability and strict regulatory compliance across all cohorts.
• Contract & Procurement Lifecycle: Manage the operational contract lifecycle for vendors, clinical sites, and independent contractors-from initial procurement and onboarding through final invoice reconciliation and expense reporting.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Significant experience leading, developing, and administering complex educational and academic programs for diverse audiences (including high school students and adult learners), with the demonstrated ability to adapt and progress toward long-term strategic goals.
• Significant experience managing multi-program operational budgets, tracking expenditures, and navigating contract/procurement lifecycles (vendor selections, invoicing, contract reconciliation).
• Progressive experience directly leading and onboarding team members assigning daily workflows, and managing performance in inclusive, productive environments.
• Proven experience working with and managing volunteers.
• Experience overseeing production of outreach materials such as quarterly newsletters.
• Experience with grant writing, grant deliverables, and funder contracts.
• Proficiency in using data tracking systems, databases, and financial modeling tools to evaluate program KPIs, analyze trends/patterns, predict outcomes, and generate compliance reports for leadership.
• Strong skills in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, presentation software, and academic project management platforms.
• Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with advanced proficiency in creating and delivering persuasive presentations to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Excellent skills in engaging and talking with new people, building rapport with high-level stakeholders, volunteers, community allies, and partner institutions.
• Proven ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, embrace calculated risks, learn new concepts quickly, and view setbacks or failures as constructive learning opportunities to drive continuous program improvement.
• Ability to step into high-level leadership decisions with minimal oversight, represent the organization in executive leadership's absence, and foster an adaptable, innovative workplace.
• Ability to manage cross-functional stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to resolve operational or interpersonal barriers using strong conflict management and negotiation skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent writing skills useful for presenting information in a clear and concise, yet persuasive manner.
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in new or developing programs-especially under conditions of limited data or ambiguity-including direct experience managing minor population safety/legal compliance (e.g., background checks, liability waivers, health clearances).
• Strong understanding of pre-health/pre-medical pathway structures (clinical mentorship models, science course delivery, post-baccalaureate application funnels) and the local healthcare employment market.
• Experience advising students through academic/career pathways and application processes to drive successful outcomes (e.g., increased medical school acceptance rates, institutional partnerships).

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• This position requires the ability to report to campus to work in-person as operationally required, with reasonable notice as determined by your manager; travel expenses not covered.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.