"DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE SEARCH AND RECRUITMENT - REMOTE"

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

Department Overview

The Systemwide People Strategy, Talent, and Culture department (formerly Human Resources Strategy & EDI) provides people-centered leadership and expertise to advance the University of California's mission of teaching, research, and public service. Serving as a trusted partner to systemwide and location-based leaders, the department designs and delivers frameworks, policies, and initiatives that prioritize an inclusive employee experience while supporting organizational effectiveness. Its work spans developing and interpreting systemwide HR policies, leading culture and inclusion strategies for staff, and providing workforce planning, talent development, and organizational readiness strategies to align staff capabilities with long-term university goals.

Within the People Strategy, Talent, and Culture department, the Executive Search and Recruitment unit manages recruitment for senior leadership roles for the Office of the President, ensuring high standards and supporting the cultivation of diverse leadership pipelines. The team additionally provides advisory support, consultation, and implementation of executive search and recruitment initiatives and programs across the UC system, ensuring best practices are applied consistently, professional standards are upheld, and all processes comply fully with applicable laws and UC policies.

Position Summary

The University of California, Office of the President (UCOP) seeks a highly skilled professional to serve as Director of Executive Search and Recruitment within the People, Strategy, Talent and Culture Division. This position reports to the Senior Director and provides strategic oversight and advisory support for the University's most senior-level searches, including positions reporting directly to the President, systemwide officers, and other critical leadership roles across the UC system. The Director plays a critical role guiding, coordinating, and supporting all aspects of systemwide executive search and recruitment, partnering closely with search firms and stakeholders to ensure that recruitments are conducted with fairness, consistency, and adherence to UC policies and governance practices. While this position does not directly conduct recruitments or manage staff, it plays a critical role in guiding, coordinating, and supporting all aspects of executive search and recruitment operations. This position is eligible for a remote work arrangement within the state of California. The selected candidate must reside within the state of California or be willing to relocate.

Key Responsibilities

20% Support the design, management and execution of high-level search processes for Senior Management Group (SMG) recruitments, the most senior level roles across UCOP and the UC system. This includes providing expert guidance on search structure, search firm utilization, recruitment strategy, search advisory committee formation, assessment methodologies, search budget and timeline development, stakeholder communication and engagement, and the integration of best practices to ensure a successful and effective hiring process is undertaken with each search.

20% Provide comprehensive project management for executive-level recruitments from initiation through appointment, supporting all phases of the process with precision and discretion. This includes developing and monitoring detailed project plans, coordinating activities among senior leaders, search committees, and search firm partners, and ensuring all milestones, deliverables, and communications are met on time. Navigate the University's complex, multi-layered approval processes with sound judgment, maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and adherence to policy at every stage.

20% Provide expert guidance on U.S. federal and California state employment laws, as well as UC HR policies, ensuring all executive hiring practices adhere to legal requirements and reflect the University's professional standards. This includes advising on appropriate search protocols and documentation, adherence to UC and Board of Regents policies, compliance with EEO reporting, and other regulatory obligations throughout each stage of the recruitment process.

20% Partner, coordinate and communicate effectively with the Office of the President, the Board of Regents, cross-functional partners, search committees, campus and location stakeholders, and external search firms to ensure alignment on search processes, timelines, and expectations. Facilitate clear and consistent communication among all parties, support informed decision-making, and help maintain a cohesive, transparent, and well-managed executive recruitment process with each search.

20% Contribute to the operational excellence of the team by supporting high-impact projects and identifying opportunities to streamline workflows and ensure executive recruitment is executed consistently and efficiently at scale across the UC. This includes but is not limited to: standardizing tools, templates and processes, enhancing documentation and clarity, improving communication pathways, leveraging technology and automation, identifying bottlenecks and removing obstacles, developing training and capability-building resources, developing metrics and feedback loops, and ensuring adherence with policy and compliance requirements.

Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in executive recruitment, search management, or senior level talent strategy within a large and complex organization.
• Experience working within or successfully partnering with executive search firms to conduct searches, and the ability to manage and guide the firm effectively.
• Demonstrated knowledge of employment law, comprehensive recruitment strategies, and the proper application of EEO principles.
• Exceptional organizational and written and verbal communication skills, and experience managing multiple high-profile projects simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and to advise senior leadership with a high level of tact, judgment and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or other public, mission-driven organization.
• Experience working with search committees.
• Familiarity with University of California governance, policies and culture.
• Advanced degree in human resources, business administration, organizational development or related field.

Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of the recruitment, screening, interviewing and referral processes.
• Expert skills associated with conducting needs assessment, providing input on candidate identification and selection, problem solving, effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated abilities associated with problem identification; reasoning; ability to work with business units in the development of ideas and strategies to address short- and long-term employment issues.
• Demonstrated skills associated with the selection of senior level and more unique and difficult to fill employment assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly build and maintain relationships and establish trust with leaders, hiring managers, colleagues and candidates.
• Experience managing recruitment budgeting, metrics, and technology as well as demonstrated thorough knowledge of recruiting best practices and HR concepts and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expert knowledge of organizational policies and procedures; advanced knowledge of functional area and understands how work impacts other areas in Human Resources and the campus.
• Expert knowledge of business units and related employment plans and objectives.
• Strong understanding of HR processes and is able to advise business units.
• Expert knowledge of employment law.

Education

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Job Title

Employment Representative 5

Job Code

000623

Salary Grade

Grade 26

Payscale

$160,000 - $175,000

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is eligible for a remote work arrangement within the state of California. The selected candidate must reside within the state of California or be willing to relocate.

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is December 17, 2025. The position will be open until filled.