Vice President, Systemwide Shared Services

The University of California (UC) seeks applications and nominations for the position of Vice President of Systemwide Shared Services (VP). This newly created senior leadership role provides strategic vision, executive leadership, and systemwide oversight for UC’s two enterprise-wide shared services organizations: UCPath and the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC).

Founded in 1868, the UC system is recognized as one of the world’s largest and most prestigious academic institutions, with a tripartite mission of research, teaching, and public service. The UC system is the second largest employer in California, employing over 266,000 faculty, researchers, and staff across ten campuses, six academic health centers, and three affiliated national laboratories. The ten campuses that make up the UC system – Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz – collectively enroll over 301,000 students and have a combined 2.5 million alumni living and working around the world. Another half million people benefit from UC’s continuing education courses each year, as well as from research centers and educational programs operating throughout the state. UC’s scope extends beyond its campus locations, with its national laboratories, medical centers, and outreach programs in neighboring communities, throughout California, and around the world.  

UCPath (UC Payroll, Academic Personnel, Timekeeping & Human Resources) is the University of California’s centralized system for payroll, benefits, and HR for all 266,000 employees. The UC Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC) is the central office providing comprehensive retirement planning, pension benefits management, and retiree health insurance support for University of California employees, retirees, and their families. In this context, the VP will manage one of the most advanced shared services portfolios in higher education, overseeing more than $33 billion in annual financial transactions. In collaboration with campus leaders, systemwide stakeholders, and governance bodies, the VP is responsible for leading the implementation of a “one-stop” service model to support employees—from hiring to retirement—while enhancing operational consistency and positioning the organization for sustainable growth and service expansion. The incumbent will spearhead initiatives to align operations, improve service delivery, and demonstrate the value of shared services across a decentralized system, while remaining attentive to the distinctive needs of retirees and employees across a broad range of campuses, medical centers, and research centers.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished executive with experience leading large-scale shared services organizations. They will bring strong financial and operational acumen, excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills, and the ability to lead through influence in a complex, consensus-driven environment. Experience in higher education is valued, though UC also welcomes leaders from corporate or other shared services settings who are motivated by public mission, scale, and institutional complexity. California residency is required. The position offers location flexibility, with a primary presence either at the Office of the President (UCOP) in Oakland or at UC Path’s offices in Riverside, and requires frequent travel to service centers and UC campuses.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to the Isaacson, Miller consultants supporting the search: Rebecca Kennedy, Managing Partner; Cati Mitchell-Crossley, Managing Partner; Carley Davenport, Managing Associate; and Cortnee Bollard, Managing Search Coordinator. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For best consideration, please apply by May 31, 2026 via the Isaacson, Miller website below.

Applications must be complete to be reviewed for consideration. A complete application includes: 1) CV and Cover Letter, 2) Submission of the following form: https://www.research.net/r/N9JVHWR

UCOP is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $352,700 to $584,400 annually. The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects for this position is $375,000 - $475,000.

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 status under state or federal law.