Career Development Cohort Opportunities

Series and Cohorts for All Roles and Levels at UCOP

Roadmap of Career Development Cohort Opportunities
UC Systemwide People Management Series and Certificate  (PMC): This asynchronous online series supports current and aspiring people managers. It is designed to increase our people management capabilities across the entire UC system.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Self-paced e-learning program that includes 16 core sessions and four electives
  • Electives include live and on-demand courses
  • Includes the UC Managing Implicit Bias Series
  • Those who complete this series receive the People Management certificate
  • Open to any UC employee
  • Geared for pre-managers to senior leaders
  • Ideal for current or aspiring people managers who would like to learn essential skills for more effective leadership
  • A great opportunity for individual contributors who anticipate moving into a people-manager role and want to acquire critical skills in advance
UCOP People Management Integrated Learning Program (PM-ILP) : PM-ILP complements the  People Management Series and Certificate. Participants meet in monthly live sessions as a cohort to extend the learning of the e-courses.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Seven-month live virtual cohort program aligned with  the 16 e-courses in the People Management Series (see above)
    • April - November 2027
  • Employees who complete this program will receive credit for the 4 required electives needed for the People Management Series and Certificate.
  • In addition to the criteria outlined above, this experience is geared towards people who value a cohort experience and learning with others
  • Program Fee: $100; Paid by your department
  • Application process for the 2027 cohort begins in February 2027
UC Managing Implicit Bias Series: This systemwide series is designed to increase awareness of implicit bias and reduce its impact at the university.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Six-course asynchronous online training series focused on becoming aware of bias and mitigating implicit bias in the workplace, including in the recruitment and hiring process
  • Part of the People Management Series
  • Note: This series is required for all managers and recommended for people serving on a hiring committee. 
  • Open to any UC employee; required for all people managers
  • A great opportunity for staff to understand and explore implicit bias.
UCOP Mentorship Program: This program partners UCOP staff with an experienced mentor to help expand their networks, enhance their professional development, explore potential career possibilities get targeted coaching and guidance.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Lasts one year
  • Program provides a formal one-on-one mentoring structure to foster a culture of development and learning
  • Mentors and mentees meet monthly to work towards collaboratively created goals
  • Monthly mentee cohort meetings
  • All UCOP employees interesting in growing their skills in a one-on-one setting with an experienced leader
  • Program Fee: $100; Paid for by your department. 
  • 2027 program runs Jan through Dec 2027.  Applications open fall of 2026.

Making Power Moves: This cohort examines career advancement strategies with an emphasis on how social and cultural factors influence professional growth and leadership opportunities.

Currently on hold 
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Open to all  employees at UCOP who manage people and/or projects
  • All employees who support the advancement of women-identified professionals at UCOP are welcome to attend
  • Program Fee: $1,000; Paid for by your department.
  • Currently on hold 

Cohorts for Individual Contributors at UCOP

Leadership Fundamentals for Emerging Leaders Program (LFP): This cohort offers experienced staff an opportunity to build on their strengths and grow their influence. The program welcomes colleagues who want to deepen their impact in their current roles and those considering a move into management.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Applicants are expected to engage fully and should plan to commit about eight hours per month to the training.
  • 9 Virtual workshops meet from 9 a.m. to noon PT, with small-group sessions on alternate weeks from 1–2 p.m. PT.
  • FAQs
  • A current individual contributor role at the P3, P4 or P5 level
  • At least two years in their role and at UCOP
  • A demonstrated commitment to professional development
  • The support and approval of their supervisor
  •  
  • Next cohort - 2027.

Take Charge: Developing a Career Strategy: This program provides administrative, support, and entry-level staff with tools to better direct and manage their careers.

Currently on hold 
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • 6-month program consisting of 11 interactive virtual sessions
    • Jan - Jun 2026
    • 6 live virtual classes
    • 5 peer mentoring sessions
    • Weekly self-guided assignments
  • FAQs
  • Designed for administrative, support, or entry-level staff
  • Career, contract, represented employees who have completed the probationary period.
  • Program Fee: $100; Paid by your department
  • Currently on hold 

Series and Cohorts for Managers and Supervisors at UCOP

Manager Essentials at UCOP (ME@UCOP): This program supports managers/supervisors who are interested in learning essential UCOP processes, policies, competencies and leadership philosophies.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Topics  include:
    • Hiring & Recruitment
    • Compensation
    • Inclusive Leadership
    • Procurement
    • Budget
    • Leaves & Accommodations
    • Employee Law
    • People Development
  • Open to all people managers/supervisors
  • Required for people new to managing or supervising at UCOP since 2020
People Leader Forum is a monthly opportunity for people managers to connect with one another to develop leadership skills, build community and share best practices.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • Rotating topics every first Friday of each month from 1-2 p.m. (PT).
  • Designed for people managers to share best practices, swap strategies for navigating current challenges and learn to better support themselves and their teams.
  • This course is open to Managers/Supervisors only.

Cohorts for Mid Career and Senior Leaders at UCOP

Leaders of Leaders Collaborative: A quarterly virtual gathering for UCOP leaders who lead other managers.  
Description Target Audience Cost and Application Process
  • Leading other leaders is uniquely rewarding — and uniquely complex. As we move into more senior roles, opportunities for peer-level dialogue and shared reflection can become
    fewer, even as the stakes grow higher.
  • Through this collaborative, we intend to create a trusted, collegial space
  • UCOP leaders who lead other managers

UCOP Leadership Development Program: This cohort-based leadership development program designed to support experienced managers at UCOP to become students of leadership and take ownership of their learning journeys.
Description Target audience Cost and Application Process
  • 10-month program beginning in September.
  • Monthly meetings switch between whole group learning (Crew Meetings) and small group support (Camp Meetings).  
  • This program is virtual on Zoom.
  • Time commitment: About 5-8 hours per month.
  • FAQs
  • Manager 1, 2, or 3 or Supervisor 1 or 2. Any people manager outside of these titles who has 2+ direct reports.
  • At least one year managing at UCOP
  • At least 5 years total people management experience, in or outside the UC system
  • Has received a rating of “Solid Performance” or above on the latest performance appraisal