Executive Director, Events & Transportation

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks applications and nominations for an accomplished, strategic and service-oriented leader to serve as Executive Director, Events & Transportation (E&T). This highly visible role shapes how people access, move through and experience the UCLA campus - from daily mobility and parking to major events, ticketing and community-facing operations.

The Executive Director leads a broad portfolio at the intersection of transportation, events, customer experience, sustainability and campus operations. The portfolio includes transportation demand management; parking and traffic systems; campus transit; bicycle, micromobility and pedestrian safety; shared mobility; public transit partnerships; fleet acquisition and maintenance; commuter programs; event and film-shoot access to campus spaces; and the Central Ticket Office (CTO), which supports ticketing for thousands of events annually.

The scope and complexity of E&T offer an exceptional platform for a leader who can connect long-range strategy with operational excellence. The Executive Director oversees a transportation and events enterprise with more than $78 million in revenues, a combined operating budget exceeding $48.5 million, annual debt service/non-operating expense of $5.5 million, and a staff of nearly 300  FTE/headcount of 485. The organization also manages substantial physical and financial assets and provides important financial support to campus programs.

Operationally, the portfolio includes a 22,000+ space parking system across more than 50 facilities; a fleet of approximately 950 University vehicles (including 50% zero-emission vehicles); nearly half a  million annual transit boardings with directly operated service; agreements with seven local transit agencies, including more than 400 public transit buses visiting campus each weekday; approximately 84,000 daily vehicle trips;; more than 3,000 bicycle parking spaces; and 800 shared micromobility modes. E&T also supports 850 annual campus events and extra-curricular activities including high-profile events such as UCLA Commencement with up to 65,000 daily attendees and provides strategic oversight of CTO ticketing services for 8,000+ campus events annually.

The Executive Director establishes the long-term vision and strategy for a sustainable, accessible, safer, and well-connected UCLA campus, balancing service excellence, sound business practices, regulatory requirements, and the needs of the University and surrounding communities. The leader oversees Commuter & Parking Services, Events, Fleet & Transit, Mobility Planning & Traffic Systems, and the Central Ticket Office, driving operational excellence, innovation, and integrated transportation and event strategies. The role provides strategic leadership for major transportation and campus-planning initiatives, including the Metro D Line Subway Extension and the Sepulveda Transit Corridor subway project, while representing UCLA with government agencies, transit partners, community organizations, and industry stakeholders to advocate for campus interests and expanded sustainable mobility. The Executive Director also leads long-range financial and operational planning across multiple multi-million-dollar enterprises, including pricing, revenue management, asset stewardship, and performance measurement; oversees coordination of major campus events; and advances technology, process improvements, and customer-focused services across transportation, parking, traffic, fleet, events, and ticketing operations.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished leader who combines enterprise-scale operational leadership, sophisticated stakeholder management, and strong business judgment, with the ability to operate effectively in a highly visible and politically sensitive environment and navigate the complexities of an urban transportation ecosystem with competing resource demands. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience leading large, complex organizations and diverse workforces, along with strong budgetary and strategic planning capabilities, exceptional relationship-building skills, and highly developed negotiation, collaboration, and communication abilities. They will bring strong business and political acumen, including the ability to advocate effectively at federal, state, and regional levels; analyze qualitative and quantitative information, trends, and policies; and translate insights into organizational strategies, focused plans, and sound decisions. Knowledge of applicable state, federal, and local industry trends, and sustainable transportation fundamentals is essential, as is human resources leadership experience in a primarily unionized environment. Familiarity with University policies, programs, and management practices is preferred.

The Executive Director is entrusted with significant University assets and is expected to exercise a high degree of prudence and integrity. E&T is responsible for construction and maintenance associated with more than 7.6 million square feet of facilities with an approximate asset value of $767.97 million, as well as debt-capacity analysis related to more than $45.1 million in long-term financing.

To apply for the position, please submit a resume as well as a cover letter that expands upon your relevant experience, prior roles held and specific accomplishments within those roles.