Chief Administrative Officer (ADMIN MGR 1)

Under direction from the Department Chair and Executive Assistant Dean, provide leadership and financial and administrative management and oversight for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), an academic and research department. This position is responsible for all administrative, financial, and operational aspects of the department's business including staff development and training, academic personnel hiring support, human resources, business and finance, contract and grant administration, space use and facility maintenance, student affairs, instructional support, research and teaching laboratory support, industrial affiliate interactions, safety and liability, information technology deployment, and university administrative policy and procedures. This position is an important risk manager and is responsible for identifying and mitigating risk across the department, as well as implementing business operations improvements that lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness within the department and beyond.

RECRUITMENT PERIOD ONE MONTH: Applicants will be screened after two weeks; and then on a weekly basis. The position can be filled prior to the removal date.

Apply By Date: April 17, 2026

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Bachelors Degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Three or more years of management and leadership experience in a higher- education or a high- technology setting.
• Experience implementing principles of performance management, multi-culturalism and diversity, coaching skills to enhance staff contributions.
• Experience developing organizational structures, delegating, developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• Demonstrated success at managing and developing staff through effective recruitment, training, evaluation, motivation, and problem resolution with success at building an effective service-oriented team.
• Interpersonal, oral and written communication skills to share information with all levels of personnel and diverse populations.
• Demonstrated success at business process improvement, including deployment of information technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, or an educational background in Engineering and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience in strategic planning and business analytics. Quantitative skills to prepare reports, budgets and projections, and to interpret reports prepared by others.
• Knowledge of and experience with University policies and procedures related to academic and research departments.
• Knowledge of and experience with some aspect of the high technology industry that employs students who graduate with degrees in chemical engineering or materials science and engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• 25% - Departmental Leadership and Management
• 20% - Financial Management and Planning
• 15% - Research Administration Management
• 15% - Human Resource Management
• 10% - Academic Personnel Administration
• 10% - Instructional Support
• 5% - Other Duties As Assigned

Department Overview

Department Overview The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is a large, complex academic department in the College of Engineering and provides instruction and research in multiple specialty areas of engineering. The Department has 32 tenure tracked faculty and Professors of Teaching, 2 adjunct professors, and 26 staff. The department has one of the largest undergraduate and graduate programs in the college with approximately 929 undergraduates and 149 graduate students enrolled. The incumbent of this position works in an independent manner. In conjunction with the Chair and leadership of the department, the CAO works closely with the Dean's Office, Office of Research, Business Contracts, Accounting and Financial Services, and other external parties. Serves on campus and college wide committees associated with financial management matters. The total annual expenditures for the department is roughly $28M. The Department occupies space at both on and off-campus locations. This position has a dual reporting relationship with the Executive Assistant Dean of Administration and Finance in the Dean's Office and the Department Chair and will receive support and direction from both parties regarding performance management.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $102,400.00 - $202,400.00/year
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: 25
• UC Job Title: ADMIN MGR 1
• UC Job Code: 000547
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): M - F 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Location: Davis, CA
• Union Representation: No
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Limited vacation usage during fiscal close. At times work hours outside the standard M-F, 8am-5pm schedule to meet deadlines and attend to unforeseen matters that may arise.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

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.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks