Senior Strategic Advisor

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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 UCOP Strategy and Program Management Office (SPMO) provides high quality in-house advisory and consulting services to advance the mission of the University of California system. The SPMO develops and implements multi-year strategic planning; develops and executes strategies to address pressing business and policy challenges; applies portfolio management methodologies, metrics, and tools; develops solutions in governance, operating models, financial management, organizational design, operational innovation, change management; and manages systemwide strategic initiatives, programs, and projects.

Position Summary
The SPMO Senior Strategic Advisor will independently use and apply wide-ranging management consulting experience and proficiency to lead and facilitate highly complex, strategic engagements involving multiple organizations and stakeholders; advise University executives and senior leaders to design and implement goal-achieving solutions; develop methodologies that drive organizational effectiveness; regularly conduct rigorous analysis with available data and inputs; and apply methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for developing solutions and achieving results. Senior Strategic Advisors are recognized as thought leaders and expert project leaders throughout the organization. Senior Strategic Advisors also provide leadership internally to the SPMO unit in developing capabilities, mentoring staff, and forging internal and external relationships.

Key Responsibilities

40% Leads large-scale initiatives by assessing complex situations and developing unique and innovative solutions. Mobilizes and manages cross-functional project teams. Assesses business needs, performs advanced analyses of high quantity and sometimes contradictory information. Exercises wide judgment in selecting and developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining appropriate results and resolution of organizational effectiveness issues.

25% Leads and facilitates strategic planning with executives and their leadership team to develop mid and long-term strategic goals. Identifies and assesses market trends; collects and analyzes input from relevant stakeholders; identifies and evaluates impact metrics; develops specific implementation plans to execute goals.

25% Advises executive and senior leaders from across the University to address issues, develop recommendations, and implement solutions in alignment with strategic goals and objectives. Provides thought partnership and consultation, design, facilitation, and project management on multi-faceted problems to achieve strategically aligned solutions. Facilitates adoption of proposed solutions from key stakeholders.

10% Creates repeatable frameworks and builds relationships to enhance the visibility and impact of the SPMO. Advises and mentors less experienced staff. Develops internal team capabilities. Provides direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to facilitate getting work done. Supports a collaborative and inclusive team culture.

Experience
Required Qualifications

• Min 10 years of experience in leading and advising strategic initiatives, programs, and/or projects with senior leaders.

Skills and Abilities
Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of the consulting process related to strategy and operations to effectively lead high impact engagements from inception to conclusion.

• Knowledge of the organizational environment of higher education and large research universities to understand client priorities, issues, motivations, and constraints.

• Demonstrates superior analytical, problem-solving, project planning and implementation skills.

• Ability to translate quantitative data into actionable insights.

• Ability to handle multiple constituencies, agendas, engagements, and tasks with tight deadlines, and to deal productively with ambiguity and conflict.

• Advanced skills in developing and assessing longrange, enterprise-level strategies, considering governance, policy, financial, operational, and political implications across a complex, decentralized organization

• Has superior written, verbal and presentation skills for influencing and facilitating sustained change.

• Demonstrates ability to learn quickly, reason, synthesize and generalize based on information obtained. Sound judgment, ability to draw unbiased conclusions.

• Ability to focus on priorities, strategies, and vision while managing multiple assignments.

• Ability to facilitate and influence people at all levels. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies.

• Ability to persuade through both logic and appeal to positive motivations.

• Demonstrates interpersonal skills and client service orientation to establish and maintain positive collaborative working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in strategy and/or operations consulting leading high profile engagements.

• Experience connecting strategy to institutional priorities in a higher education environment.

• Experience leading strategic planning.

Education
Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred

Job Title
Organizational Consultant 5

Job Code
000563

Salary Grade
Grade 27

Payscale:
$192,000 - $208,000

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

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 (5/15/2026). 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 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.

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