Director of the Office of Black Student Development

University of California Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara, a vibrant university in Santa Barbara, California, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the director of the Office of Black Student Development. This is an on-site leadership role with the possibility of a 4:1 hybrid schedule following a successful probationary period, subject to supervisor approval. The anticipated start date is summer 2026.

The University of California, Santa Barbara, is a public land-grant research institution. Tracing its roots to 1890 as an independent teacher's college, UC Santa Barbara joined the prestigious University of California system in 1944 as its third-oldest undergraduate campus. As a leading research institution offering a comprehensive liberal arts education, UC Santa Barbara welcomes approximately 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year to its beautiful oceanside campus.

Reporting to the dean of students, the director of the Office of Black Student Development (OBSD) provides strategic leadership, vision, and management for campus-wide efforts focused on Black student engagement and success, while advancing a broader framework for holistic student success at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). The director oversees key advisory groups, including the Black Resource Committee (BRC), and serves as a critical liaison to senior campus leadership, the Black Student Union (BSU), University of California system partners, and a wide range of UCSB stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, and student leaders.

In this role, the director advises campus leadership and delivers a comprehensive range of services, including consultation, policy and data analysis, and direct support to enhance student inclusion and retention. The director leads strategic planning, assessment, and the implementation of long-range goals related to Black student success and broader institutional student success initiatives. The director is responsible for the department's daily operations, including staff supervision and development, budget management, and fundraising efforts in collaboration with divisional leadership and Student Affairs Grants and Development. Additionally, the director ensures meaningful student voice through advisory structures and participation in program development and staff selection processes.

The director will support a close-knit, highly engaged, and visible Black community of more than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students and approximately 130 faculty and staff within a broader population of over 26,000, with strong expectations for connection, support, and institutional responsiveness. When fully staffed, the director oversees a team of seven professionals and four student interns, and manages an operating budget and endowed funds of nearly $537,000.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $105,000-$115,000. The institution is committed to supporting the successful transition of the selected candidate, including assistance with housing and relocation resources.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will hold a master's degree and possess at least four years of progressive experience in higher education, with a demonstrated commitment to supporting Black students and the broader Black community. An advanced knowledge of student development theory and a strong understanding of issues related to Black student retention, campus climate, and strategies to address inequities in access and achievement are required. A proven ability to design, implement, and assess impactful programs with measurable outcomes is essential, along with demonstrated administrative expertise in program development, assessment analysis, resource management, and policy implementation. Competitive candidates will also demonstrate effective supervision, including team development and conflict management, as well as experience leading complex initiatives, serving as a spokesperson, and producing professional reports or grant materials.

The ideal candidate will bring strong political acumen and the ability to navigate complex institutional environments, including those shaped by shared governance. Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and a high level of professionalism, discretion, and cultural competence are required. An advanced degree and familiarity with national organizations supporting Black students or the African diaspora are preferred. The candidate must also demonstrate the ability to manage competing priorities, capacity for independent and collaborative work, and the skill to engage effectively with a diverse campus community.

Application and Nomination

The University of California, Santa Barbara, has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. To ensure full consideration, interested individuals should submit materials by the priority deadline of May 6, 2026. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://apptrkr.com/7070748

• Contact Kelly Brooks at [email protected] or Anne-Marie Kenney at [email protected] for confidential inquiries.

• Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email [email protected].

Visit the University of California, Santa Barbara website at http://www.ucsb.edu/

UC Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/7070748

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