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The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus

Research Program Manager

The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079


Special Instructions to ApplicantsMust include cover letter and resume to be considered.

Department SummaryThe Sustainable LA Grand Challenge (SLAGC) is a campus-wide incubator for strategic sustainability research initiatives that are societally relevant and impactful, and rooted in interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. SLAGC is committed to making UCLA the convener for interdisciplinary, cross-sector research that addresses urban sustainability challenges in the LA region and builds on UCLA expertise by strategically drawing in talent from other institutions. In addition to aligning leading experts with societal interests and partners, SLAGC leads efforts to bring in extramural funding to support this sort of discovery and knowledge translation.

Position SummaryThe UCLA Sustainable Los Angeles Grand Challenge (SLAGC) seeks an inquisitive and collaborative individual to serve as a Research Program Manager (RPM). The ideal candidate has knowledge and passion for developing sustainable solutions across many climate planning and policy topic areas, including but not limited to water, energy, wildfire, and land use, and has a commitment to equity and environmental justice. The RPM will manage a research program for an assigned purview, performing program and project management duties. This includes serving as an ambassador for the research program, establishing and managing relationships with collaborators, partners, and stakeholders that are internal and external to the university, in support of UCLA’s growing use-inspired, societally impactful, sustainability research portfolio. Primary responsibilities include developing and managing program activities and project timelines, gathering information about the societal and political landscapes relevant to an assigned purview, data analysis and presenting on findings, and writing (literature reviews, reports, manuscripts, grant proposals, fact sheets, graphics, presentations, and so forth). The RPM will present and widely disseminate issue-based products to broad audiences ranging from general publics, CBOs, NGOs, local, state and federal governments, and the academic community. This role involves participation in meetings, seminars, educational events, and other meetings, in many cases, requiring the RPM to facilitate the event. The RPM may also be responsible for supervision of student analysts, fellows, and vendors as they are involved with specific research program activities or projects. This role requires a high level of emotional intelligence and an ability to actively listen and synthesize complex ideas quickly. The RPM must interact with disciplines across campus with enthusiasm, sensitivity, and respect. This is expected to include, but is not limited to, disciplines such as law, public affairs, arts, humanities, natural and physical sciences, engineering, and economics. The RPM must be able to recognize how these different disciplines are needed in confronting complex sustainability issues. Similarly, the RPM must be enthusiastic about investing time into understanding the social and political landscapes and the diverse stakeholder groups relevant to the RPM’s assigned purview. The Research Program Manager works in close consultation with the SLAGC Research Development Manager, under the general supervision of the SLAGC Director of Research Development.

Salary & Compensation*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit

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QualificationsAwareness and familiarity of sustainability principles coupled with an intermediate knowledge of research methods used in sustainability disciplines and the ability to perform reviews of academic and professional literature and summarizing themes and results (Required)Demonstrated skill in writing and editing concise, logical, and clear correspondence, presentations, proposals, informational documents, and academic works (Required)Highly organized with demonstrated ability to use collaborative project management tools to compile information, delegate project tasks, communicate responsibilities and expectations, and track progress (Required)Sufficient understanding of knowledge mobilization activities to advise university researchers on designing societally relevant sustainability-related research projects and producing products that are immediately beneficial to stakeholders, on a timeline that is conducive with practical application (Required)Occasionally work a flexible schedule, with willingness to travel or commute to events, to meet program needs (Required)Ability to use web-based collaboration and project management systems, such as Google Drive, Google Apps, Asana, Airtable, and CRM and Project Management tools (Required)Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain professional, effective working relationships with others (Required)Ability to both take direction and work independently with minimal direction, making independent decisions, establishing priorities, and following through on assignments (Required)Ability to develop and manage a program and its activities, including demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with, and as appropriate, delegate to a wide variety of contributors that are not subordinates (Required)Experience liaising between academic researchers and societal partners to support the development of solutions-oriented research, including academic and practical experience with sustainability planning and policy (Preferred)Proven ability to clearly communicate research results through a variety of formats, including presentations, reports, opinion pieces, etc., in a variety of settings including interacting with professionals in government, academia, and the public (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal AffiliationsPhD (Preferred)Professional degree in a field related to sustainability, such as climate, urban planning, public policy, transportation engineering, sociology, anthropology, political science, geography, ethnic studies, cultural studies, or similar.

Special Conditions for EmploymentBackground Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

ScheduleMonday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, Pacific Standard

Union/Policy Covered99-Policy Covered

Complete Position Descriptionhttps://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&jobcode=TBD_2157

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