Associate Vice President, Academic Health Sciences

University of California Health (UCH) includes six academic health centers, 20 health professional schools, four children’s hospital campuses and a Global Health Institute. It also includes systemwide support services from the University of California (UC) Office of the President that improve the health and well-being of the University’s students, faculty and employees. UCH also encompasses many of the patient care, health education and health-related research capabilities of the UC system.

UCH operates the largest health sciences instructional program in the nation, enrolling approximately 15,000 health sciences students and trainees across 20 schools on seven campuses, over 20% of whom identify as underrepresented. These include schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, public health, and veterinary medicine. UCH is one of the principal sources for California's future health care workforce as the state’s population grows, ages, and becomes ever more diverse. Based on historical patterns, nearly 70% of UCH health science students remain in the state after completing UC training or education.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President (EVP) for UCH, the Associate Vice President, Academic Health Sciences (AVPAHS) provides leadership, strategic direction, policy guidance and advocacy on behalf of the UCH’s health sciences and clinical training system. The AVPAHS leads systemwide and regional initiatives that are important for advancing the University’s teaching, research, ad public service missions.

Responsibilities of the AVPAHS include leading and providing strategic direction to advance the UC academic health sciences mission and goals of both individual campuses and the UC system overall. The AVPAHS is expected to lead by developing creative approaches to problem solving, promoting collaboration, and demonstrating clear understanding of the roles of the UC health sciences instructional system as it relates to the future of academic health centers and the University’s roles and responsibilities under California’s Master Plan for Higher Education.

The AVPAHS leads systemwide, regional, and other special initiatives and works closely with campus leadership (including health sciences chancellors, provosts, deans, faculty, chief executive officers, academic senate, academic personnel officers, and others) to conceptualize and develop new programs, initiatives and enrollment plans. The AVPAHS is expected to proactively monitor, review, manage and make recommendations regarding issues and state and federal legislation or policy matters impacting UC academic health sciences programs and the health sciences workforce. The incumbent oversees the management of several systemwide and statewide programs and initiatives as necessary and/or as requested by the EVP or President.

The AVPAHS is expected to exercise sound professional and political judgment in addressing and resolving complex issues and to work proactively on a broad range of issues with UC leaders and others. The AVPAHS chairs and/or serves on internal and external committees and groups, and convenes health sciences deans, senior faculty, and others as necessary to address emerging issues and opportunities. Under the general direction of the EVP, the AVPAHS serves as the principal spokesperson and systemwide advocate for the academic programs and initiatives of UC health sciences schools.

The AVPAHS represents the University with a broad range of internal and external constituencies and stakeholders. The AVPAHS serves as the EVP’s chief academic officer within the division. In this capacity, and under the general direction of the EVP, the incumbent works with the EVP, Chief Clinical Officer and academic health deans and executives to help guide strategic priorities that require systemwide academic and clinical collaboration and commitment. The AVPAHS is expected to demonstrate a high level of leadership accountability, internally and externally. The AVPAHS is also instrumental in representing the division in matters of mutual interest to the academic senate.

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately (in November 2022) and the ability to apply or nominate will continue until the position has been filled. For more information and to apply, please visit https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/uch-associate-vice-president-academic-health-sciences/. The University of California has retained Diversified Search Group, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search.  

Please email confidential inquiries, nominations, or referrals to: abby@grantcooper.com .  

The University’s vaccination policy can be found here: policy.ucop.edu/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19.  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. The complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy can be found at: 

https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction