PROJECT AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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Department Overview
UCOP Operations provides critical operational and support services to all UCOP leadership and staff including the following: Budget Finance, Planning, & Analysis, Building & Administrative Services, Business Resource Center services, Operational Excellence COE, and special initiatives. The work done in UCOP Operations is highly visible at all levels of the organization, with the campuses, and the UC Regents. UCOP Operations develops, implements, and ensures adherence to and participation in UCOP programs, policies, and practices. UCOP Operations works to transform the service experience to increase agility, accountability, and reliability and enhances services by implementing new technologies, developing a supportive work environment, and creating transparent and efficient processes. UCOP Operation's service experience drives collaboration, engagement, and supports a culture driven to continually evolve and adapt our strategic, advisory, and transactional services.

Position Summary
The Project and Communications Consultant supports the management and delivery of strategic operations initiatives and communication under the direction of the UCOP Operations Immediate Office. Reporting to the Deputy to the Executive Director, this role involves collaboration with UCOP Operations leaders on various strategic initiatives, projects, and communication to enable efficient and effective program and operational delivery. The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including strategic planning, project management, communications, process improvement, data analysis, and change management. Please note, this position is based at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA and hybrid with the requirement of three days per week in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). The person hired will be required to reside within California.

Key Responsibilities

35% Project/Operations/Research/Analysis

Draft, review, and revise various documents, including reports, program proposals, and presentations.

Gather and analyze data to support UCOP Operations' program development and reporting needs, translating findings into actionable insights.

Address complex operational issues involving people, policy, or processes, proposing solutions to improve outcomes.

Manage internal and external distribution lists.

30% Program & Organizational Change Management, Strategy, & Delivery

In collaboration with and at the direction of the UCOP Operations Immediate Office, support the achievement of strategic objectives and execution of UCOP Operations project portfolio projects by driving, supporting, and ensuring successful delivery of cross-functional projects across a broad-range of functional and operational areas.

Act as a thought partner in planning discussions, providing recommendations to support UCOP Operations decision-making.

Assist in the development of change management, communications, and training strategies that align with UCOP Operations' objectives and goals across diverse internal and UCOP-wide stakeholders, including executive leadership, all staff, managers, supervisors, and internal Operations staff.

Facilitate assessments of UCOP Operations processes, recommending and implementing solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. * Implement tools, templates, and processes to enhance project management and workflow efficiency.

Apply project management concepts to oversee project progress and coordinate cross-functional project teams.

25% Strategic Communication

Draft and implement strategic communications for various audiences, ensuring consistent messaging across UCOP Operations programs and initiatives.

Collaborate with UCOP Marketing & Communications to ensure alignment with broader UCOP communication strategies.

Develop and execute communication plans to engage UCOP staff and stakeholders, fostering understanding of UCOP Operations' goals and initiatives.

Organize, track, and monitor communications across UCOP Operations departments, including subdivision slack and zoom channels.

Identify gaps and synergies in training and communication efforts, resolving resource issues to meet organizational needs.

10% Other duties and special projects

Support UCOP Operations in various strategic initiatives and operational projects as needed, providing flexibility and adaptability to address emerging priorities.

Experience
Required Qualifications

Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience required

Skills and Abilities
Required Qualifications

Project & Program Management Skills

Demonstrated strong analytical, problem-solving, project planning and implementation skills

Experience developing forms and processes

Ability to move organizational programs forward by developing and maintaining tools and communications as needed to gain and maintain support from stakeholders

Ability to work with multiple data sets in order to make informed recommendations; experience with business intelligence tools

Organizational Change Management Skills

Experience managing organizational change management in matrixed environments.

Ability to navigate complex organizational structures, influence stakeholder decision making and drive collaboration.

Successful delivery of organizational change via cross-functional collaboration.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion on confidential, sensitive matters; Able to motivate and energize teams, foster collaboration, and leverage skills in conflict management techniques.

Highly skilled in developing presentation materials, meeting facilitation, consulting and relationship building.

Strong communication skills and demonstrated examples of delivery against projects requiring broad stakeholder alignment and communication needs.

Ability to manage competing priorities, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and successfully manage multiple deadlines

Technical & Data Skills

Tech savvy and versatile with advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint, Excel, Sharepoint, and Project applications, and other office applications such as Visio, Smartsheet, Canva, and Box to manage cross-functional initiatives.

Ability to review and analyze data and draw inferences and conclusions to develop metrics, and identify patterns and trends

Preferred Qualifications

Relevant work experience in one or more of the following organizations: higher education, health care, or other complex, matrixed environments.

Program Management experience in an enterprise level program management office setting, advising on strategic project delivery issues and building processes.

Experience implementing collaboration tools such as Slack, Monday.com, Asana, etc.

Experience working with ServiceNow or other service ticketing tools.

Experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, etc.

Education
Required Qualifications

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

Licenses and Certifications
Preferred Qualifications

Relevant professional certification such as PMP, CSM, PMI-ACP, or Six Sigma, preferred

Travel Requirements
10% Occasional travel to campus locations and/or conferences

Job Title
Organizational Consultant 3

Job Code
007394

Salary Grade
Grade 23

Payscale:
$113,000 - $132,500

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

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 February 24, 2025. If needed, add: The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal 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.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

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