Director of Academic Affairs; U - Jacobs Institute

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world‑leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California’s diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity‑focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). We actively support this by giving all full‑time staff at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

The Berkeley Master of Design (Berkeley MDes) is a professional graduate degree offered in partnership between the College of Engineering and the College of Environmental Design, focused on designing emerging technologies and the social and cultural contexts that shape them.

Berkeley MDes is a studio‑based program in which students are immersed in community, collaboration, and hands‑on learning over three semesters and one summer. Students complete eight core courses and four electives, culminating in a thesis project presented in the final semester.

MDes is housed in Jacobs Hall, a 24,000‑square‑foot building equipped with design studios and digital fabrication technology. Second‑ and third‑semester students have dedicated desks and 24/7 access to the MDes Studio. Jacobs Hall is managed by the Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, a makerspace open to all UC Berkeley students.

The position involves a wide range of student services duties for an academic department, including academic advising, recruitment, admissions, financial aid, visa/immigration matters, fellowship and block‑grant awarding, orientation, career counseling, and related programs.

Serves as a strategic programmatic leader for the MDes program, managing the entire student lifecycle from recruitment to graduation, driving growth through data‑informed recruitment strategies, benchmarking against national competitors, and implementing complex academic and financial policies.

The first review date for this job is July 1, 2026. Open until filled.

• Admissions:
  Serve as the administrative lead on the MDes Program’s annual admissions process – respond to inquiries, conduct 1:1 admissions advising, manage Slate data, coordinate the admissions committee, liaise with HR and the Berkeley International Office on visa issues, analyze admissions data, and advise leadership on university policies.
• Recruitment and Admissions:
  Advise leadership and external affairs colleagues on outreach strategies, directly contribute to admissions marketing and communications, and meet with prospective students to conduct information sessions.
• Program Management:
  Provide and recommend policies, identify needs for clarification, analyze consequences, recommend changes, benchmark with other colleges and competitors, and identify best practices.
• Content Management:
  Produce and maintain the MDes Academic Handbook and instructor guide, collaborate with marketing and Jacobs Institute staff to create and maintain websites, printed materials, videos, and webinars.
• Academic Milestone Events:
  Develop, manage, and implement orientation, semester presentations, capstone showcase, and commencement; advise student leadership groups and keep detailed statistics about the program.
• Academic Advising & Development:
  Apply advanced advising concepts to resolve intricate student issues, determine…