Assistant Director for AHMCT (FINANCIAL ANL 3 CX)

Job Summary

Provides comprehensive analytical and administrative management support to the Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology (AHMCT) Research Center and leadership for the budgetary, financial and contract management of all operations including multiple and complex subcontracting arrangements, facilities improvements, specialized laboratory and field-testing, equipment purchases, fund-raising, human resources management. Serve as the lead financial and research business analyst for the Center, providing strategic fiscal planning, financial oversight, and comprehensive portfolio management for multiple funding sources, focused primarily on state contracts (the primary sponsor is the California Department of Transportation [Caltrans]), as well as other grants, recharge accounts, and restricted and unrestricted funds.

Support center operations by developing operational budgets, staff support, operations funding management and forecasting and maintaining & identifying strategic partnerships. Represent the Center to funding agencies and in outreach to the Center’s partners in industry organizations and government agencies. Manage Center Assets at the Academic Surge Building (ASB) and Advanced Transportation Infrastructure Research Center (ATIRC); determine optimal resource allocations including staffing to meet the Center’s goals, schedules, and objectives. Participate in and support strategic planning with Center co-directors. Overall daily direction of Research Center operations under guidance of the directors; analyze needs and make recommendations. Direct external relationships and communication functions for the Center. Lead the design and drafting of the AHMCT web site, including site design, development, maintenance, and content solicitation and curation. Identify areas of interest to Caltrans with potential for funding to guide proposal writing efforts and plan the number of projects and total funding required to support the center in coordination with the co-directors. Consult and coordinate with CAO, College Deans Office, and campus sponsor and grants and contracts personnel on various functional responsibilities, business operation, internal controls and best practices for consistency, accountability, and compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

Apply By Date: August 24, 2026

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Bachelors degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Demonstrated experience in financial analysis, forecasting, and planning, including analyzing and compiling financial data and reports, evaluating complex accounting and policy/procedure issues, and developing sound, well-reasoned recommendations to establish priorities and determine appropriate courses of action.
• Proven experience maintaining accountability within complex accounting structures, including establishing and sustaining clear audit trails and ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Extensive experience managing and controlling complex budgets and financial operations, including detailed budget preparation, contract and grant proposal budgeting, purchasing, payroll and ledger reconciliation, invoicing and fiscal close, adherence to state contracting procedures, with the ability to interpret detailed instructions and analyze complex financial data accurately.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and effectively, present complex financial information clearly and concisely, and explain financial processes and procedures diplomatically to individuals with varied backgrounds and levels of expertise.
• Organizational skills to plan, coordinate, set priorities, and adapt to changing priorities while meeting required deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in leadership, supervision, direction for the Center’s business and administrative daily operation.
• Working knowledge of UCD payroll, purchasing and accounts payable transactions, including ledger reconciliation.
• Knowledge of University Policies and Procedures relevant to financial administration, personnel, and facility management and laboratory safety issues; University EH&S compliance policies, rules and regulations and ability to manage regulations to personnel (faculty, academic, technical staff and students) working in research laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• 60% - AHMCT Budget Management/ Financial Analysis/Administration
• 35% - Strategic Development, Compliance, and Business Implementation
• 5% - AHMCT Website Management, and General Outreach

Department Overview

AHMCT is primarily funded by Caltrans. The Center has more than 10 laboratory personnel, including engineers, analysts, programmers, postdoctoral scholars, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The Center operates research, laboratory, and testing facilities located in the Academic Surge Building (ASB) and the Advanced Transportation Infrastructure Research Center (ATIRC), supporting a broad portfolio of transportation research, technology development, and field deployment activities.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is a large, complex academic department in the College of Engineering and provides instruction and research in multiple specialty areas of engineering. The Department has 32 faculty and Professors of Teaching, 2 adjunct professors, and 26 staff. The department has one of the largest undergraduate and graduate programs in the college with approximately 929 undergraduates and 149 graduate students enrolled. The incumbent of this position works in an independent manner. The total annual expenditure for the department is roughly $28M. The Department occupies space at both on and off-campus locations.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $77,100.00 - $139,900.00/yr.
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: STEPS
• UC Job Title: FINANCIAL ANL 3 CX
• UC Job Code: 005183
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): M - F 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Location: Davis, CA
• Union Representation: Yes - CX-Clerical/Admin
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee’s lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Work in an office setting and research facilities.Work in an environment with multiple competing deadlines and frequent interruptions.Restricted use of vacation during peak periods (fiscal closing, AHMCT program deadlines.)

Special Requirements – Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

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.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks