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 makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that…
benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.
Departmental Overview
UC Berkeley Extension (UNEX), the continuing education branch of the University of California, Berkeley, has been building bridges between UC Berkeley and the public since 1891. UNEX serves the professional and continuing education goals of thousands of people each year and plays an essential part in the University mission to extend the research and scholarship of UC Berkeley to a global community, increase access to higher education for non-traditional, online, and international students, and improve the workforce.
UC Berkeley Extension is part of the division led by the Dean of Extended Education, which also includes Berkeley Summer Sessions, Berkeley Study Abroad, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Position Summary
The Assistant Dean of UNEX Public Programs oversees UC Berkeley Extension's academic division, which includes multiple academic departments and a broad portfolio of self-supporting, college-credit-granting programs. This position provides strategic leadership in academic planning, program development, operational effectiveness, partnership cultivation, financial management, and personnel oversight. The Assistant Dean of UNEX Public Programs works under the direction of the Dean to establish division strategy, drive academic innovation, ensure high-quality program delivery, and strengthen Extension's alignment with campus priorities. The position functions with a high degree of autonomy and serves as a senior representative of Extension in collaborations with campus units and external partners.
Application Review Date
The minimum posting duration for this position is 14 calendar days. The department will initiate the application review process on/after November 2, 2026.
Responsibilities
Academic Program Administration
- Directs and administers independent academic programs with complete responsibility for administrative and programmatic activities, including assisting with the design and development of the academic programs developed; independently oversees Extensions academic division, including multiple academic departments and their full range of college credit-granting programs (Science, Mathematics and Biotechnology, Health Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Engineering & Technology).
- Provides overall leadership for Extensions academic division of multiple academic departments responsible for generating $17M in annual gross revenue; Directly supervises Academic Directors, ensuring effective academic governance, professional conduct, and alignment with campus Principles of Community; Oversees divisionwide administrative and programmatic activities, ensuring consistent implementation of work processes, tools, and quality standards.
Academic Planning and Effectiveness
- Assesses program effectiveness, and recommends changes to program content, policies, and procedures accordingly; Leads short and long-term academic planning across departments, including program development, renewal, and restructuring; Ensures academic quality through systematic program review, curriculum updates, and alignment with institutional strategy; Collaborates with faculty, Academic Directors, and subject-matter experts to design new courses, certificates, and formats of instruction; Integrates best practices in assessment, student feedback, and academic effectiveness.
Partnerships and Revenue Generation
- Identifies and pursues funding opportunities and revenue streams; Develops and leads partnership strategies with campus units, higher education institutions, professional organizations, and industry partners; Represents the division in external collaborations, supporting program innovation, enrollment pipelines, and strategic growth initiatives; Builds advisory relationships to ensure programs reflect industry trends and workforce needs.
Financial Oversight
- Participates in advanced program budgeting and accounting processes to support a self supporting/sustaining financial infrastructure of the program; Oversees budget and financial planning for Public Programs; Ensures financial viability of programs in a fully self-supporting environment; Determines resource allocation across departments and recommends adjustments based on performance, enrollment, and strategic priorities; Collaborates with Extension's Chief Operating Officer and Budget & Financial Services on financial risk assessment and contract feasibility.
Personnel and Resource Management
- Manages financial and HR resources; directly supervises professional staff, exercises full supervisory authority, including assigning work, monitoring performance, conducting annual performance evaluations, and managing recruitment, onboarding, and disciplinary actions.
- Provides technical guidance and identifies professional development opportunities to ensure team goals are met. Oversees a team of 23-25 staff members and 500+ instructors directly and through subordinate managers; Provides leadership in conflict resolution, grievance handling, and staff support; Builds a positive, collaborative culture and models One Berkeley values.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Facilitates the efforts of various departments, managers, and outside constituencies to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration; Leads implementation of standardized administrative processes, academic quality frameworks, and agile work practices across departments; Ensures efficient coordination between academic and administrative units, including Marketing, Recruitment, Finance, IT, Student Services, Inclusion, and Registrar; Drives continuous improvement in workflows, systems, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Strategic Representation
- Represents the division on committees, boards, and strategic planning groups; Participates in professional conferences and public-facing events; Supports strategic projects for the Dean's Office and contributes to institution-wide initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- Academic background and experience in selected area of research.
- Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources, and financial principles and practices.
- Advanced oral and written communication skills.
- Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.
- Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.
- Advanced ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers and managers.
- Advanced knowledge of concepts, principles, and procedures of building and maintaining effective relations with internal and external, national and international constituencies.
- Advanced intercultural communication skills to effectively manage relations with staff, agents, and representatives of institutional or corporate partners.
- Excellent leadership abilities to oversee multiple functions or departments through subordinate managers.
- Excellent ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals that measure the effectiveness of contributions to efficient operations of the department.
- Able to manage, lead, and supervise operations and staff in a production, customer-service, and results-driven department.
- Advanced verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build beneficial relationships with internal and external departments and professional organizations.
- Advanced skills in strategy development, systems planning, and change management.
- Strong leadership and political acumen with a commitment to excellence in service.
- Able to quickly come up to speed in areas outside personal expertise, ask good questions, and challenge assumptions.
- Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Terminal degree in a related area (PhD, JD, MD, Etc)
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 range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $164,000 - $192,000.
- This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
- This is a full-time career position eligible for UC benefits.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Mandated Reporter
This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.
Misconduct
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
Equal Employment Opportunity
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 status under state or federal law.