Sr. Director for People Culture and Engagement

Position Number: 41264576

Payroll Title: ORGANIZATIONAL DEV MGR 1 (000564)

Job Code: 000564

Job Open Date: 10/16/2026

Application Review Begins: 11/2/2026

Department Code (Name): EAPQ (EDUC ABROAD PROGRAM LOC Q)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): MSP

Salary Grade: Grade 26

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $123,000 to $200,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $123,000 to $237,000/year.

Work Location: UCEAP - Goleta, California

Working Days and Hours: M-F, 8-5 Pacific Time or Similar Schedule

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

The UCEAP Systemwide Office is located in Goleta, California, near the UC Santa Barbara campus. On-site presence is required Tuesday through Thursday and as needed for leadership and staff meetings, delegation visits, training sessions, and other organizational activities. Hybrid work arrangements are subject to change.

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

As the University of California's systemwide education abroad organization, the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) inspires and empowers global learning. Since 1962, UCEAP has served more than 100,000 UC students and welcomed over 30,000 international exchange students, advancing the University's commitment to accessible, academically integrated international education. Today, UCEAP supports more than 6,000 student participants annually through more than 160 academically rigorous study, research, internship, and experiential learning programs across 37 international locations, while welcoming approximately 1,500 international students annually to UC campuses through the UCEAP Reciprocal Exchange Program. Guided by its values of integrity, collaboration, agility, inclusion, and stewardship, UCEAP works with faculty, campuses, and global partners to prepare graduates to lead, serve, and contribute in California and around the world.

Benefits of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

The Senior Director for People, Culture, and Engagement provides strategic leadership and organization-wide direction for people strategy, organizational culture, employee engagement, human resources, and stakeholder relations. Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director, the position serves as a key member of UCEAP's leadership team and oversees the Human Resources and Development and Alumni Engagement units.

Working within a complex, geographically dispersed organization, the Senior Director develops and implements strategies, programs, and initiatives that foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and support communication, professional development, and relationship-building across UCEAP's workforce and stakeholders.

The Senior Director also serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, collaborating with UC campuses, international study centers, and institutional partners to advance UCEAP's mission, values, and long-term strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Organizational Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Highly accomplished professional with extensive progressively responsible experience in human resources, organizational development, people and culture, or related organizational functions, including senior leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational culture, employee engagement, and change strategies in a complex organization.
• Broad experience across multiple HR functional areas, such as employee and labor relations, talent management, compensation, workforce planning, recruitment, and performance management.
• Direct supervisory experience managing professional staff and functional units.
• Strong knowledge of organization development, organizational culture, employee engagement, and change management principles and practices, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into effective people culture strategies.
• Ability to assess organizational needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness, collaboration, engagement, and accountability.
• Broad and substantive knowledge across key human resources functions, such as employee and labor relations, talent management, compensation and total rewards, workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, and employment compliance, with the ability to integrate this expertise to develop holistic, people-centered solutions that support organizational growth and workforce sustainability.
• Ability to interpret and apply organizational policies, requirements, and procedures, and provide sound guidance to organizational leadership.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to develop and motivate staff, establish priorities, foster accountability, and effectively lead teams and functions across disciplines, including areas outside of primary professional expertise.
• Ability to influence, build consensus, and achieve results across organizational boundaries and without direct-line authority.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills, with the ability to establish credibility, and build effective working relationships across organizational levels, functions, institutional partners, and geographically dispersed environments.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into action and consistently deliver high-impact results through effective execution, accountability, and follow-through.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution, performance management, and mediation, including navigating sensitive matters and supporting organization change.
• Strong business acumen, sound judgement, discretion, and negotiation skills, with familiarity with strategic and budget planning methods.
• Proficiency using technology and business applications such as Microsoft 365 or similar platform to support communication, collaboration, analysis, and organizational operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Experience in higher education or a similar public institution.

• Experience working in an international or globally distributed organization.

• Experience overseeing or partnering with Development and Alumni Engagement, advancement, or another specialized organizational function outside the primary area of expertise.

• Experience supporting or leading organization-wide people, culture, and/or employee engagement initiatives and events, particularly in a complex or geographically dispersed organization.

• Familiarity with international HR practices, including foreign employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and indirect or seconded employment arrangements.

• Experience with alumni engagement, development, or related stakeholder engagement initiatives.

• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR, or comparable professional certification.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Hybrid work arrangement: On-site presence required Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, in addition to leadership and staff meetings, delegation visits, training sessions, and other activities as required. Hybrid arrangements are subject to change.

• The University cannot pay or reimburse expenses prohibited by UC policy, including commuting to the designated work location.

• Access to and handling of sensitive and confidential information, including employee and student records, financial information, and strategic plans. Must exercise discretion, restrict access to those with a legitimate business need, safeguard records, and comply with University privacy and data protection requirements.

• Satisfactory criminal history background check

• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

20% Organizational Design and Policy

Translates UCEAP mission, vision, and values into people-focused initiatives that drive the mission and set outcomes, particularly for the HR and Development and Alumni Engagement Units. Develops a clearly delineated, phased strategic plan for internal culture that includes key milestones, measurable outcomes, and responsible department/role. Strategy will be data-driven and human-centric. Responsible for developing and managing systems and structures that support evolving in-person, hybrid, and remote work models.

15% Training and Events

Serving an organization with a large globally-remote and hybrid team, as well as key stakeholders across the state of California and the globe, will have responsibility for envisioning and leading the implementation of regular virtual and in-person events and activities that foster communication, collaboration, development, alumni engagement, and community.

30% HR Oversight

Responsible for supervising staff in the Human Resources Unit. Sets strategy for and manage succession planning, compensation, total rewards/benefits, employee experience, culture, and strategic talent development. Creates strategies for collaboration across UCEAP units to ensure people team assets are used in the most effective ways. Supports the operational and compliance work of the HR Unit in the work of hiring, compliance, labor relations, compensation, and payroll.

15% Development and Alumni Engagement Oversight

Responsible for supervising staff in the Development and Alumni Engagement Unit. Sets strategy for engagement activities with alumni and other prospective donors. Creates strategies for collaboration across UCEAP units to ensure a cohesive development and alumni engagement strategy. Supports the operational work of the unit in creating a comprehensive plan for engagement.

10% Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Helps create and manage initiatives that foster an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued. Has oversight of the organizations diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy to foster a culture of belonging, enhance employee representation, and eliminate bias. Will work alongside UCEAP teams to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion practices are prioritized and executed across UCEAP programming.

10% Other

Will attend and participate in Executive Cabinet and Director's Council meetings, including providing expert guidance on culture and people-focused initiatives and best practices. Is also expected to contribute to the study abroad and international education fields by representing and presenting at national and international conferences.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

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.

Reasonable Accommodations:

The University of California endeavors to make https://jobs.ucsb.edu accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Katherine Abad in Human Resources at 805-893-4664 or email katherine.abad@hr.ucsb.edu. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Privacy Notification Statement

Privacy Notification Statement and Notice of Availability of the UCSB Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Disclosures

Application Status: If you would like to check the status of your application, please log into the Candidate Gateway where you applied and click on 'my activities'.