"Senior Project Lead (6257U) - 79611"

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Possibility Lab at the University of California, Berkeley is a team of policy researchers and practitioners who partner with government and community to design, pilot, and scale data-driven innovations for the public good. Through ongoing collaborations, the Lab is pioneering innovative ways to center community perspectives and expertise in public policy by working directly with diverse stakeholders to foster engagement, empowerment, and equity.

The Lab's civic engagement initiative aims to develop research-backed and co-designed models for informed and inclusive civic engagement; design technical infrastructure and on-the-ground processes for community engagement projects; and deploy these practices in partnership with government and communities to inform ongoing work.

At the core of this work is helping government agencies design and carry out meaningful engagement with residents—understanding their needs, leveraging their expertise, and helping activate their input to address our most pressing social challenges.

Position Summary

The Possibility Lab seeks a Senior Project Lead to oversee civic engagement and community-engaged research, including providing leadership and vision for the portfolio, overseeing project implementation and managing project teams, as well as designing and managing pilot projects for partnerships with high-level state and local partners.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 07/25/2025.

Responsibilities

• Provides thought-leadership and technical guidance to the civic engagement team to design, implement, and evaluate instruments, tools, and training related to the initiative.
• Designs, coordinates, and conducts projects of broad complexity and impact.
• Manages high-level external partner relationships and project management for assigned projects.
• Develop and track project goals, budget, and timeline, along with internal and external facing deliverables.
• Supports researchers in gathering, compiling, and interpreting qualitative and quantitative community-engaged data.
• Contributes to the formulation and prioritization of civic engagement pilot projects based on existing evidence.
• Provides consultation, mentorship, and technical guidance on this work.
• Works with communications and multimedia team to develop written and verbal presentations of processes and findings.
• Evaluates community engagement methods and makes improvements as necessary.
• Designs pilot studies and data collection tools in partnership with research team, government, and non-government partners.
• Works with research team to use data to analyze and interpret findings.
• Documents procedures to institutionalize evidence-based practices in community engagement methods, analysis of results, presentation of findings, and collaborating with partners.
• Leads project and research staff. Coordinates with other project teams and across initiatives.
• Provides training, guidance, coaching, and mentorship of project team members. Promotes team building and cohesion.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of research function.
• In-depth knowledge of community-engaged research gained from experience in designing and implementing community-engaged research projects.
• Experience designing, implementing, and/or overseeing a complex program, organization, and/or initiative.
• Thorough skills in research management and use of research tools.
• Thorough skills in analysis and consultation, both qualitative and quantitative.
• Ability to lead and influence within and external to the project team.
• Skills to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.
• Skills in project management.
• Skills in policy analysis and experience working directly with community and/or government partners.
• Research skills at a level to evaluate alternate solutions and develop recommendations.
• Advanced ability to think creatively to recommend action steps or strategize solutions relative to research.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience with diverse civic technology, tools, and platforms.
• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. 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, analysis of internal equity, 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 budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $105,500.00 - $120,000.00.

This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly-paid position.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.