Director, Workforce & Industry Initiatives (Career Services)

Overview

This position has been budgeted for $8,333.33 - $10,000.00 per month depending on qualifications and is non-negotiable.

First review of candidates will take place on May 2, 2025.

San Diego State University (SDSU) is a premier public research university renowned for its commitment to preparing leaders for the future and serving as a global hub for innovation. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and cutting-edge research, SDSU fosters a culture of discovery and collaboration that addresses the challenges of a rapidly changing world. The university is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in the workforce of today and tomorrow. Through innovative programs, global engagement, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, SDSU continues to shape the next generation of leaders while driving economic and social progress both locally and globally.

SDSU Career Services is an award-winning, nationally recognized leader in career development and industry relations, setting new standards for excellence for university career centers. By prioritizing employment outcomes and earnings as its key success metric, the department is reshaping the role of career services in higher education and challenging traditional approaches. Through bold regional and statewide initiatives, SDSU Career Services drives workforce development, fosters strong industry partnerships, and serves as a catalyst for economic mobility. The department cultivates a culture of innovation, empowering its staff to push boundaries, embrace new possibilities, and develop transformative strategies that ensure student success. With a relentless focus on student achievement and dynamic industry engagement, SDSU Career Services remains at the forefront of redefining career readiness and workforce impact.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Reporting to the Executive Director of Career Services, the Director of Workforce & Industry Initiatives leads the implementation of strategic plans, programs, and daily operations, while also overseeing special projects and supporting the procurement of external grants and contracts. As a member of the Career Services management team, the Director collaborates with department leaders to guide staff and allocate resources in support of departmental, divisional, and campus-wide priorities. This role works very closely with the Career Management team, Industry Relations team, and Infrastructure & Outcomes team to provide support and programmatic direction as it pertains to departmental contracts and priorities. While this role does not currently include direct supervisory responsibilities, it leads programs and projects by directing the efforts of the entire departmental staff as indirect reports. The position relies on collaboration and influence, leveraging the resources and full personnel and leadership team to drive initiatives forward.

This role engages community stakeholders to streamline logistics, optimize processes, and ensure the successful delivery of career services and industry initiatives.

The Director of Workforce & Industry Initiatives fosters collaboration across department teams, supports employee relations, and maintains a strong presence on campus and in the community. The Director leads special projects in education, workforce, and economic development, with a strategic focus on operations, grant and contract administration, compliance, and personnel management. Acting as a key intermediary between the Executive Director and all stakeholders, the Director drives the implementation of the department's vision while serving as a resource and unifier across management and staff. This role oversees a portfolio of programs and projects, working through department leaders to monitor, enforce, and evaluate activities, including program operations, fiscal oversight, and risk management. Success in this role requires a people-centered leader who can see the big picture, execute with precision, navigate ambiguity, and develop creative, solutions-driven strategies.

The Director oversees projects related to education, workforce, and economic development contracts and programming. These initiatives may include supporting student and job seeker career development, collaborating with employers and industry partners to advance job creation and entrepreneurship, and leading regional and community efforts to help individuals and businesses thrive. Key stakeholders may include a broad range of campus partners, such as Global Campus, Alumni Association, Associated Students, the Basic Needs Center, and Academic Affairs, as well as external organizations including workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).

Responsibilities

Contract & Grant Administration: 50%

• Lead the administration of contracts and grants, overseeing procurement processes, maintaining compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations, and aligning activities with departmental priorities and funder expectations.
• Serve as a liaison to funders, ensuring clear communication, timely reporting, and strong relationships to support ongoing and future funding opportunities.
• Manage program and fiscal monitoring activities to ensure project performance, financial accountability, risk mitigation, and adherence to grant and contract requirements.
• Provide leadership in resource allocation, budget management, and overall grant and contract execution, ensuring effective use of funds and optimization of program outcomes.
• Implement and lead programs at the local, regional, and multi-regional levels, fostering collaboration and coordination with local, state, and national partners to advance workforce, education, and economic development initiatives.
• Oversee program evaluation, data collection, and assessment efforts, using qualitative and quantitative methods to measure outcomes, inform continuous improvement, and support reporting requirements.

Strategic Planning & Operations Leadership: 20%

• Lead the development, execution, and evaluation of strategic plans and operational priorities, aligning departmental initiatives with division and university goals.
• Support the solicitation, award, and management of contracts, grants, and external funding opportunities, ensuring alignment with departmental needs and resource growth strategies.
• Provide operational leadership across departmental activities, overseeing day-to-day functions, optimizing processes, and driving continuous improvement efforts.
• Assist in conveying and implementing the leadership's vision and objectives, ensuring consistent messaging, alignment, and momentum across all teams and initiatives.
• Serve as a representative of the executive director as needed, participating in meetings, committees, and strategic discussions to advocate for and advance departmental priorities.
• Leverage AI tools, data platforms, and emerging technologies to enhance outcomes, streamline career services, and position SDSU as a leader in tech-driven student success strategies.

Employee & Campus Relations: 20%

• Develop and implement initiatives to build staff expertise, enhance employee satisfaction, and strengthen retention efforts across the department.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative department culture, promoting staff engagement, community integration, and cross-functional teamwork.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention processes, ensuring robust training, professional development, and continuous staff support.
• Serve on internal department teams and committees, assessing staff and infrastructure needs, and designing solutions to improve operations and workplace effectiveness.
• Represent the department on campus committees, task forces, and initiatives, actively supporting departmental, divisional, and university-wide priorities and serving as a liaison to campus stakeholders.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 10%

Qualifications

Knowledge & Abilities

• Education, workforce, and economic development grants, contracts, funding sources, programs, and related resources.
• Career development theories, models, and best practices across diverse populations.
• Industry and employer relations strategies, including job development, talent pipeline management, and sector partnership building.
• Local, regional, and national partnership development, with familiarity or direct experience working with Offices of Economic Development, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, and federal agencies such as the SBA, DOL, EDA, and DOE.
• Grant proposal writing, budgeting, management, compliance, and evaluation across multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Program evaluation methodologies, including data collection, interpretation, reporting, and continuous improvement strategies.
• Deep understanding of workforce development systems, funding models, training programs, and stakeholder ecosystems at the local, state, and national levels.
• Higher education structures, ecosystems, and career services operations, with an understanding of education-community-industry partnerships.
• Entrepreneurship programs, ecosystems, and key stakeholders, including start-up incubation and small business support services.
• Fiscal management, program monitoring, audit coordination, and risk mitigation in compliance with grant and contract requirements.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with diverse audiences, including funders, partners, staff, and leadership.

Minimum Required Education & Experience

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field or additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Four years of related experience; two of which in a progressively responsible supervisory or management role.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• 7 years of experience working in workforce and/or economic development
• 5 years of experience in a management role or managing special projects and programs
• Experience using CalJOBS

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual's qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.