The GGSC is Hiring a Deputy Director!

November 5, 2025

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley (GGSC) is looking for its inaugural Deputy Director to help lead the center into its next phase of growth and impact. The Deputy Director will work closely with the GGSC’s Executive Director to hone and implement the center’s strategy; build and manage systems that promote efficiency and impact; help manage its finances and operations; and coordinate among its programs.

To apply, submit your application through UC Berkeley’s Jobs page, where you’ll need to search for this position by its Job ID: 82216. Applications must be submitted through the UC Berkeley Jobs system in order to be considered. Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

We strongly encourage you to apply by November 26, 2025.

About the Greater Good Science Center

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley (GGSC) studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. Over more than two decades, the GGSC has provided a bridge between scientists and the public, turning research findings into practical resources that support well-being for all. Since its founding, the GGSC has explored why and how to strengthen connections within families, schools, organizations, and communities, and it has highlighted the importance of building connections across group lines, offering practical strategies for overcoming bias and prejudice, expanding one’s circle of care, and promoting belonging.

The GGSC’s organizational culture prioritizes independence, rigor, social impact, and the well-being of its members. Staff members enjoy autonomy and flexibility while working in a culture that encourages teamwork, connection, and collaboration in service of our mission. The GGSC welcomes a diversity of experiences and perspectives to inform its work and strives to operate internally by the values that drive its public-facing programs: empathy, compassion, joy, forgiveness, appreciation, and cooperation. Recognizing that the science we cover has been shaped by systemic biases and inequities, we aim to address and correct for these prejudices whenever possible—a goal on which we elaborate in our Diversity Statement.


About This Position

As the GGSC’s inaugural Deputy Director, this position will strengthen the center’s staff and systems while deepening its impact on the world. Working closely with—and reporting to—the Executive Director, they will play a vital role in honing and executing the center’s strategy, tracking progress toward its goals, and helping to navigate change as necessary. They will also manage the GGSC’s systems to support its budgeting, accounting, fundraising, internal communications, and daily operations, and they will support collaboration among the center’s varied and growing programs so they can continue to flourish. Their role will involve collaborating with teams across the GGSC, in addition to the Executive Director. They will supervise the Operations, Marketing, and Development Directors.

The ideal candidate has strong management and interpersonal skills, coupled with a strategic and resourceful mindset. They must also have a passion for helping mission-driven organizations achieve their goals—and a particular passion for the GGSC’s mission to transform the science of well-being into actionable insights, stories, and tools for a meaningful life and a more connected, compassionate world. A background in journalism/media or other public engagement programs (e.g., public events or online courses) is a plus.

This is a full-time (100% time) staff position, providing UC Berkeley’s robust benefits package. The role will begin with funding for three years, with the goal of securing additional funding to extend well beyond that. Proximity to the GGSC’s office at UC Berkeley is strongly preferred, although hybrid-remote working arrangements are possible.


Responsibilities

Internal Systems Management

  • Provide oversight and strategic direction for the GGSC’s budgeting and accounting processes, supervising the Operations Director and collaborating with the Executive Director to refine these systems for greater efficiency.
  • Strengthen systems for internal communication—including the sharing of key documents, contacts, program updates, and policies—to support the GGSC’s overall performance.
  • Strengthen systems to highlight the center’s ongoing impact, drawing on evidence collected by program staff, which will be featured in external communications, such as the GGSC’s website and annual report, coordinating with and supervising the Marketing Director.
  • Align GGSC systems with UC Berkeley’s administrative systems to promote efficiency.

Financial Management

  • Lead the annual budgeting process and year-end analysis of the GGSC’s budget vs. actual expenses, collaborating with the operations team, Executive Director, and UC Berkeley administrative staff.
  • Work with program directors to set the budgets for their programs, including relevant costs and sources of revenue.
  • Provide guidance in creating budgets, budget narratives, and project descriptions for grant proposals, working with program directors, the Development Director, and the Executive Director.
  • Track expenses and metrics against those proposals to ensure consistency with the GGSC’s organizational goals and commitments to funders and other partners.
  • Participate in preparation of financial reports for grants, in collaboration with program directors and under the supervision of the Development Director.

Organizational Strategy and Development

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director to hone organizational goals and strategy and track metrics of success, adapting in response to new challenges and opportunities.
  • Facilitate communication and collaboration among program directors to ensure that their goals and activities are streamlined, synergistic, and aligned with the GGSC’s broader strategic direction.
  • Provide strategic oversight and guidance on new funding and revenue opportunities for the center, supervising the Development Director and collaborating with the Executive Director and program directors to identify and pursue sustainable growth activities.
  • Plan and lead monthly program directors’ meetings.
  • Participate in regular GGSC staff meetings and the annual staff retreat.

Main Qualifications*

  • At least five years of experience in a leadership role at a nonprofit or other mission-driven organization
  • At least five years of experience in a team management or supervisory role
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Excellent financial management skills and extensive experience managing budgets and financial reporting
  • Extensive experience developing and refining organizational systems
  • Strong analytical, project management, and systems management skills
  • Skill in supporting a healthy team culture that promotes belonging, respect, appreciation, clear communication, and the well-being of its members while maintaining a commitment to social impact
  • Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, Google Workspace, and virtual presentation platforms (e.g., Zoom)
  • Commitment to the Greater Good Science Center’s mission
  • Ability to reliably travel to and from the GGSC office as needed and other designated sites as required to fulfill job responsibilities
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training

*We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of these specific requirements.

Additional Qualifications

  • Experience working in a university setting
  • Experience working in journalism, media production, or other forms of public education
  • Ability to think strategically about organizational growth, impact, and sustainability, navigating opportunities and challenges
  • Experience in external relations, including marketing/communications and/or fundraising/development
  • Strength in recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams
  • Experience developing business plans
  • Knowledge of positive psychology, the science of well-being, or related scientific disciplines

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time monthly paid (exempt) position. Annual salary is commensurate with experience, within the range of $125,000–$135,000.

This position also offers UC Berkeley’s wide array of high-quality benefit plans, including:

  • Comprehensive health plans
  • A valuable pension plan
  • Vacation and sick accrual
  • Optional retirement savings opportunities

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Proximity to the GGSC’s Berkeley office is preferred, although hybrid remote working arrangements are possible.

The role will begin with funding for three years, with the goal of securing additional funding to extend well beyond that.


How to Apply

To apply, submit your application through UC Berkeley’s Jobs page, where you’ll need to search for this position by its Job ID: 82216.

Applications must be submitted through the UC Berkeley Jobs system in order to be considered.

Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

We strongly encourage you to apply by November 26, 2025. The review process for applications will begin on December 1, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after that, until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applications that the GGSC typically receives, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.