Director of Admissions Operations

Office of Admissions

Annual Salary Range for Program Director II: $176,169 - $234,887

Annual Salary Range for Program Director III: $193,783 - $258,375

FLSA Exempt / Non-Union Represented

This position allows for up to four days of remote work per week

Summary

The Director of Admissions Operations provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for the Office of Admissions, including Exam Administration, Grading, Educational Standards, Moral Character, Eligibility, Special Admissions, and Testing Accommodations. Along with the Director of Exam Development and the Chief of Admissions, the Director of Admissions Operations is responsible for leading the Office of Admissions.

This role ensures all operations are conducted with integrity, fairness, and efficiency, in alignment with the policies and strategic objectives of the State Bar, the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE), and applicable laws and rules. The selected candidate will take the lead in developing operational recommendations and innovations across all admissions functions (except exam development), using research, best practices, and data-driven analysis to enhance efficiency, equity, and applicant experience.

The ideal candidate brings experience managing both in-person and remote exam administration and is skilled in navigating the operational, logistical, and compliance challenges unique to each admissions function.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Oversight

• Develop and implement strategic goals and operational plans across all units of the Office of Admissions, in coordination with the Director of Exam Development and the Chief of Admissions.

• Lead initiatives to evaluate and apply emerging trends, research, and best practices in legal education, high-stakes exams, and admissions operations to inform policy, procedures, and process improvements.

• Advise Executive Leadership, the Committee of Bar Examiners, Board of Trustees, and the California Supreme Court through regular reports and presentations.

• Represent the Office of Admissions in high-level meetings, offering expert guidance on operational risks, innovations, and policy impacts.

• Review and recommend updates to admissions, exam, and law school oversight laws and rules to ensure alignment with evolving modalities and standards.

• Lead and advise directors, managers, and supervisors within Admissions Operations in the effective and accurate operation of their teams.

• Promote an organizational culture focused on integrity, excellence, investing in our people, respect, clarity, equity, and growth mindset/continuous improvement.

Admissions Operations Management

• Through Admissions' directors, managers, and supervisors, oversee processing and review of applicant eligibility, registration, and special admissions programs (e.g., Multijurisdictional Practice Program, Foreign Legal Consultant Program, Provisional Licensure).

• Through Admissions' directors, managers, and supervisors, manage the Testing Accommodations unit to ensure applicants with disabilities receive accommodations necessary to provide equal access to exams.

• Through Admissions' directors, managers, and supervisors, direct the Moral Character Determinations unit, ensuring timely, consistent, and fair application of rules and standards.

• Through Admissions' directors, managers, and supervisors, oversee the Administration and Examinations unit, including exam administration, grading, and result dissemination.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, and policies, including Chapter 6 Rules (conduct violations at exams), rules and guidelines for accredited and unaccredited law schools.

Exam Administration & Grading

• Lead the planning, logistics, and secure administration of all exams using the appropriately delivery modality—in-person, remote, and hybrid.

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, and evaluation of graders and Examination Development & Grading (EDG) leadership.

• Collaborate with psychometricians to ensure grading processes are accurate, consistent, and aligned with scoring standards.

• Identify and implement innovations in operational and grading workflows to improve accuracy,…