Assistant Director, Talent Acquisition [UC System-Wide Campus Only]

THIS JOB IS OPEN TO CURRENT SYSTEM-WIDE UC Campuses ONLY

Not open to non-UC applicants. Only current UC employees or former employees with current Preferential Rehire rights will be considered for this position. Former employees with current Preferential Rehire rights will need to identify themselves as such in their application to be considered for this position.

Current UCSC employees must apply to the job posting in the Internal Candidate Gateway. If you accessed this recruitment through the Internal UCSC gateway, you can apply via the "Apply" button at the bottom of this job posting. If you accessed this recruitment through the external gateway, you should access the internal job posting by going to the jobs.ucsc.edu weblink and clicking the "Internal UCSC Applicants" button.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 11-30-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Staff Human Resources (SHR) is dedicated to building a strong and healthy university by propelling the university mission, engaging and developing people, empowering our campus partners, building trust and teamwork, and providing excellent Human Resources services. Staff Human Resources (SHR) provides strategic leadership, guidance, and operational support to the campus community across several key human resources functions, including Benefits, Business Administration, Employee & Labor Relations, HR Business Systems, Learning & Development, Compensation & Classification and Talent Acquisition. The Talent Acquisition team demonstrates integrity and professionalism, working strategically as a partner with our customers by providing recruiting expertise and promoting dialogue at every opportunity to achieve the most appropriate and effective hiring solutions.

More information can be found at: https://shr.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Chief Human Resource Officer/Associate Vice Chancellor of Staff Human Resources, the Talent Acquisition Assistant Director provides direction for the university's talent acquisition and recruitment functions and partners with the CHRO/AVC to guide talent acquisition strategies.

The incumbent directly supervises the Talent Acquisition team and, in consultation with the CHRO/AVC, develops and implements strategic recruiting initiatives, advises campus leadership on recruitment strategies and best practices, and evaluates the effectiveness of recruitment efforts through analysis of hiring outcomes, return on investment, and retention data. The position leads organization-wide projects and initiatives.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $110,000 - $125,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Scotts Valley Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: EMPLOYMENT SUPV 2 (006258)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - Departmental Oversight

• Provides direct supervision to the Talent Acquisition team.
• In conjunction with the leadership team, develops and implements internal unit procedures, exercising independent judgment to ensure unit objectives align with departmental and organizational goals.
• Establishes clear unit priorities, communicates expectations, and ensures accountability across assigned functions.
• Independently plans, assigns, directs and prioritizes staff activities, tasks and projects effectively. Monitors progress to ensure deadlines and customer service expectations are met. Revises work assignments as needed to ensure an even distribution of work.
• Reviews staff work for accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and adherence to standards.
• Provides guidance and subject-matter expertise to staff performing specialized tasks.
• Independently conducts performance evaluations and establishes measurable goals. Meets with staff on a regular basis. Provides coaching and feedback to team members.
• Identifies training needs and provides formal or on-the-job training to ensure subject matter knowledge in appropriate areas.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of department training and reference materials.
• Coordinates professional development opportunities with leadership.
• Exercises independent judgment to initiate and effectively recommend disciplinary actions in compliance with university policies, collective bargaining agreements and campus procedures.
• Makes effective recommendations for salary actions.
• Exercises independent judgment in making effective hiring recommendations, including selecting finalists and making the final hiring decision for unit staff. Leads change management efforts to improve efficiency, quality, and responsiveness. Identifies and resolves operational issues or barriers to service delivery. Monitors workflows and unit processes for quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Fosters an environment that promotes a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and respect within the team. Encourages teamwork and a culture of learning among staff.
• Communicates regularly with leadership on unit activities and on pertinent operational or human resources issues.

25% - Strategic Planning

• In consultation with the CHRO/AVC, provides strategic recruiting and hiring expertise to the organization and advises all levels of the campus community.
• In consultation with the CHRO/AVC, analyzes and tracks overall effectiveness of recruiting strategies, return on investment and retention data.
• In consultation with the CHRO/AVC, leads the Talent Acquisition team to execute projects and initiatives with organization-wide scope and impact.
• Utilizes data and metrics to enhance organization wide quality, service, compliance, and efficiency.

25% - Consultation and Collaboration

• Provides training to campus stakeholders.
• Collaborates with staff human resource units on matters relating to recruitment, retention, employee and labor relations issues, professional development, and benefits.
• Sources, recruits, screens, interviews and recommends the most qualified candidates at the management, professional, and technical levels where recruiting efforts are significant and unique in nature.
• Conducts complex and varied analysis of issues or concepts and develops resulting recommendations on unique employment issues and long-term workforce sourcing.

20% - Recruitment Support

• RECRUITMENT
  • Maintains current knowledge of local job market changes and recruitment trends.
  • In consultation with EEO/AA, consults with and educates management on affirmative action matters, underutilization, and related policies and procedures.
  • Provides expert guidance and consultation to hiring managers and/or search committees on understanding and applying UCSC fair hiring standards and campus best practices for the following: applicant screening and assessment; development of effective interview and reference check questions; resolution of conflicts; identifying, researching and assessing special compliance requirements and recommending revisions as necessary for preparation to extend conditional and/or formal job offers.
  • Addresses conflicts/issues commonly faced by: search committee relations; applicant and interviewee communications; appropriate documentation of screening, interview, and selection results for recruitment file.
  • Identifies problems, conducts complex and varied analysis of issues or concepts, develops resulting recommendations, works with hiring units to develop ideas and strategies to address short- and long-term employment issues.
• JOB OFFERS
  • Ensures selected candidates are contacted to present and explain terms of employment and conditions of offer (salary, merit & benefits eligibility, probationary period, sick/vacation leave accruals, IRCA requirements, special compliance requirements, etc.).
  • Ensures compliance with Staff Employee Misconduct (EMD), Personnel File Review and UC Allegations of Misconduct Review (PFAM).
  • Finalizes job offer details and communicates the outcome to hiring units.
• JOB POSTINGS
  • Ensures job posting details are accurate and compliant with applicable Federal and State laws, university policy, and collective bargaining agreements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience and/or training
• Experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services that support recruitment and employment.
• Advanced knowledge of recruitment practices and human resources management theory, principles, and practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of employment law and practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of University policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard computing tools (i.e. Word, Excel, Google Suites).
• Demonstrated supervisory skills to coach and mentor staff.
• Strong collaboration and facilitation skills required to work with other areas of human resources and the campus, as it relates to the employment function.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Effective verbal communication skills to effectively advise a diverse population.
• Effective written communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the unit goals and this position's role to support those goals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual English/Spanish

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• This position requires the ability to report to campus to work in-person as operationally required, with reasonable notice as determined by your manager; travel expenses not covered.
• Must reside within the State of California.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.