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Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives leads strategic initiatives, division projects, and operational effectiveness for the Division of Student Affairs including alignment with Transformation 2030. The Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives serves as the single point of contact for the Vice President for day-to-day operations, crises and activities. The incumbent manages key strategic initiatives related to strategic planning, digital engagement, strategic initiatives, and communication. The incumbent also serves as the lead to the Student Affairs Marketing and Communication Program Manager in Strategic Communications and Marketing.

The Director of Strategic Operations and Strategic Initiatives assists the Vice President with a wide variety of complex executive and administrative duties including responding to sensitive concerns, questions and requests as well as representing the Vice President for Student Affairs on internal and external boards/committees, meetings and forums. The incumbent reviews, researches and summarizes a variety of administrative information and data as well as prepares briefing documents, reports, presentations and/or responses for key personnel on and off campus. The incumbent serves on a number of committees and leadership groups including but not limited to VPSA Council and the Student Affairs Leadership Team as requested by the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as the single point of contact for the Vice President for day-to-day operations, crises and activities
• Leads efforts to engage students and staff in the planning process as well as oversees implementation, tracking and evaluation of strategic initiatives.
• Provides regular updates and annual reports regarding progress to date
• Ensures that assessment efforts align with evaluation of the strategic plan
• Leads strategic initiatives on behalf of the Vice President for Student Affairs including identifying problem statements, intended outcomes, action plans and assessment
• Represents the Vice President for Student Affairs on internal and external boards/committees, meetings and forums
• Identifies systemic issues that require intervention and propose viable recommendations for improvement for consideration by the Vice President
• Assesses operational priorities and helps develop short- and long-term plans
• Safeguards the confidentiality of the VP’s Office by exercising discretion in handling administrative records, confidential files and sensitive information
• Serves as the primary administrative support for campus-wide and division meetings chaired by the Vice President which includes but is not limited to development/disseminating agendas, maintaining notes/minutes and coordinating committee/task force appointments and follow up on action items
• Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with individuals across campus to support the work performed by the VPs office as well as facilitate advancement of key initiatives and projects
• Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with key external stakeholders to support the work by the VP’s office including but not limited to community-based organizations, government agencies, donors, foundations, alumni, parents and family members
• Ensures communication of and compliance with campus, state and federal policies, procedures and practices
• Serves on the Vice President Student Affairs Council, Student Affairs Leadership Team, Campus Planning Board and other university/division committees
• Serves as division lead for large scale collaborative events with academic partners
• Reviews, researches, and summarizes a variety of administrative information and data
• Prepares briefing documents, reports, presentations and/or responses on behalf of the Vice President for key personnel on and off campus
• Responds to sensitive concerns, inquiries and requests
• Collects data and prepares reports for submission to the Chancellor’s Office
• Leads efforts to develop a comprehensive annual report
• Serves as the lead to the Student Affairs Marketing and Communication Program Manager ensuring that the division has the support they need to ensure effective marketing and communication as well as brand awareness
• Leads the Digital Engagement Working Group for Division of Student Affairs to ensure coordination of marketing and communication strategies
• Leads efforts to develop a digital strategy for the Division of Student Affairs
• Ensures effective social media, web presence and digital strategies to build community and improve operational efficiency
• Develops a comprehensive communication and marketing plan for the Division of Student Affairs in collaboration with Strategic Marketing and Communication

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work and communicate within a culturally diverse work setting
• Ability to lead complex projects that ensure effective assessment of outcomes
• Ability to lead strategic planning efforts
• Ability to supervise professional staff
• Thorough knowledge of budgetary procedures, accepted accounting principles and relevant software programs
• Knowledge in long-term forecasting as well as ability to identify short and long-term funding models
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and make accurate projections using business mathematics and basic statistical techniques
• Demonstrated ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference as well as apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply financial guidelines, policies and procedures
• Demonstrated knowledge in administering human resources functions including recruiting, hiring, supervising and evaluating staff as well as interpreting HR policy
• Ability to quickly learn and apply PeopleSoft and financial software programs
• Demonstrated strong written communication skills including the ability to write briefing and business reports
• Demonstrated strong verbal communication skills including the ability to make presentations
• Demonstrated ability to work with spreadsheets and database programs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications
• Demonstrated ability to read, analyze and interpret technical concepts, policies, procedures, practices, reports and legal documents as well as respond to inquiries or complaints from regulatory agencies and/or members of the campus community
• Demonstrated ability to research and analyze information
• Demonstrated ability to develop positive working relationships with administrators, staff, students, faculty and general public
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner

Required Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s Degree in higher education, student affairs, public administration, educational leadership or related field
• Eight years of progressively responsible university administrative experience related to project management and fiscal administration responsibilities including budget development, budget monitoring, developing fiscal policies and procedures; budget forecasting; compliance; and training; experience in overseeing human resources administration functions, supervision experience

Preferred Qualifications

• EdD or PhD in educational policy, leadership, public administration or related field
• Collective bargaining environment experience
• PeopleSoft experience
• Student Affairs co-curricular experience

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $10,000/month - $11,667/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: August 21, 2025 through August 28, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.