Director of Investigations - UCLA

A JD degree
• Deep civil rights, EEO, Title IX, and compliance expertise
• Proven people leadership experience
• Exceptional investigative writing and judgment
• The ability to navigate complex, high-profile matters with empathy and accountability

• Consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities
• Home to one of the country's leading academic health systems
• Opportunity to build and shape a newly organized investigations function
• Significant campus-wide impact and executive visibility
• Outstanding professional development and benefits package

Another Source's client, UCLA, is recruiting a Director of Investigations to join their Civil Rights Office team in Los Angeles, California. This hybrid role offers the flexibility to work remotely three days per week and on campus two days per week. Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.

Here's a little about UCLA and the Civil Rights Office:

Consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities, UCLA is home to more than 47,000 students, world-renowned faculty, and one of the most respected academic health systems in the country. UCLA's mission extends beyond academic excellence-it is deeply committed to fostering a community where students, faculty, staff, patients, and visitors can learn, work, and thrive in an environment grounded in dignity, respect, and belonging.

The UCLA Civil Rights Office plays a critical role in advancing that mission. The office is responsible for responding to reports of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation, while ensuring compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and University policies. Through investigations, education, outreach, and collaboration across campus and UCLA Health, the Civil Rights Office helps cultivate a culture of accountability, equity, and respect.

Learn more about the Civil Rights Office: https://adminvc.ucla.edu/equity/reporting/civil-rights-office

About this role:

This is an inaugural leadership position created as part of a broader organizational transformation within UCLA's Civil Rights Office. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief Civil Rights Officer, Leora Freedman, the Director of Investigations will have the opportunity to help shape and build systems, processes, and standards that will define the future of civil rights investigations at UCLA.

This role is ideal for a seasoned investigations leader who thrives in complex environments, can balance empathy with accountability, and is excited by the opportunity to build while operating. The Director will oversee a team of approximately 10-15 investigators and compliance professionals while serving as a trusted advisor to campus leadership on highly sensitive matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and equal employment opportunity concerns.

Success in this role requires exceptional judgment, emotional intelligence, strong writing skills, and the ability to effectively partner with stakeholders across a large and decentralized institution.

How you will spend your time

Investigation Leadership & Resolution (50%)

• Lead the intake, assessment, investigation, and resolution of complaints involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and related civil rights concerns across UCLA and UCLA Health.

• Provide strategic oversight of investigations governed by University of California anti-discrimination policies, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, Section 504, and related regulations.

• Ensure investigation reports are thorough, well-written, legally sound, and completed in a timely manner.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to campus leaders, Human Resources, Academic Personnel, Student Conduct, Campus Counsel, and other stakeholders on sensitive matters.

• Identify trends and patterns in reports and investigations and recommend remediation strategies and preventative measures.

• Provide support, consultation, and problem-solving assistance to individuals navigating complaint processes.

People Leadership, Operations & Compliance (35%)

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 10-15 investigators and compliance professionals.

• Oversee day-to-day office operations related to investigations, case management, reporting, and documentation.

• Partner with leadership to develop and refine policies, procedures, and guidance related to investigations and civil rights compliance.

• Support institutional compliance efforts related to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, and related federal and state requirements.

• Help strengthen case management systems, data practices, and operational processes that support effective investigations.

• Collect, analyze, and present investigation and compliance data to inform leadership decisions and organizational strategy.

Training, Outreach & Strategic Advising (15%)

• Oversee the development and delivery of training programs related to equal employment opportunity, discrimination prevention, harassment prevention, and civil rights compliance.

• Assess campus-wide training needs and identify opportunities to strengthen awareness and risk mitigation efforts.

• Advise senior leaders on legal developments, policy changes, and emerging best practices.

• Foster productive relationships across campus and UCLA Health to promote accountability, education, and prevention.

• Support outreach initiatives designed to strengthen UCLA's culture of respect, safety, and inclusion.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

• Five or more years of management experience, including supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff.

• Significant experience conducting and overseeing investigations involving Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADA, disability accommodations, and/or equal employment opportunity matters.

• Expert knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, case law, and policies related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and civil rights compliance.

• Demonstrated experience managing sensitive, complex investigations involving multiple stakeholders.

• Exceptional written communication skills, including experience drafting investigation reports and communicating complex findings.

• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to navigate difficult conversations and high-conflict situations with professionalism and empathy.

• Experience developing and delivering training, education, and outreach programs.

• Demonstrated ability to design and manage effective administrative processes, case management practices, and compliance operations.

• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches and their application within investigation settings.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and lead teams through evolving and complex workloads.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading investigations within higher education, academic medical centers, or similarly complex institutions.

• Experience overseeing large-scale civil rights, compliance, or equal opportunity programs.

• Familiarity with University of California policies and procedures.

• Experience implementing or enhancing case management and document management systems.

What's in it for you:

The anticipated salary for this position is $175,000 - $185,000 annually.

UCLA offers one of the most comprehensive benefits packages in higher education. Employees enjoy robust medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one, generous retirement benefits including pension and voluntary savings plans, paid vacation and holidays, professional development resources, wellness programs, educational assistance, and access to the exceptional cultural, recreational, and academic resources of the nation's #1 public university.

Learn more about UCLA benefits: https://chr.ucla.edu/benefits

Additional highlights include:

• Hybrid work arrangement (2 days onsite, 3 days remote)

• Relocation assistance available

• Access to UCLA's extensive professional development resources

• Opportunity to build and shape a newly organized investigations function

• Leadership role with significant campus-wide impact and visibility

Application Process

Interested candidates can apply directly at: jobs.ucla.edu/jobs/17095

A writing sample will be requested from candidates advancing to the second round of interviews.

The interview process will include virtual and in-person interviews.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 characteristics in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and University policy.

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation and Live Scan background check.

This position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The selected candidate must sign the Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse.

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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