Assistant Director, Leadership Development

CSU Careers • Long Beach, CA

17h

About The Position

Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)! Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives. As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference. Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer. Job Summary Under the direction of the Director of Student Life & Development, the Assistant Director, Leadership Development provides leadership, strategic planning, and operational support for departmental programs and initiatives that advance student leadership development and inclusive campus engagement. The position is responsible for the design, implementation, and assessment of leadership education programs, coordination of department-wide and campus-wide initiatives that foster student learning, involvement, and development. The Assistant Director oversees the Lois J. Swanson Leadership Resource Center and leads student-focused intergroup dialogue efforts that promote understanding across diverse social identities. Through facilitation, programming, and collaboration, the position creates inclusive spaces that encourage meaningful dialogue, relationship-building, and cooperative engagement among students and campus stakeholders. The role supports the department’s mission by advancing leadership development, social awareness, and community-building within a diverse campus environment. The incumbent provides services that are equitable, inclusive and provide culturally sensitive services that enhance the quality of campus life, retention, and graduation rate. This position uses a student centered and equity minded approach in all communication and service efforts. ACPA’s 2024 and 2026 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs.

Requirements

• The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in student development theory, leadership development, and co-curricular learning, paired with excellent oral and written communication skills including public speaking, facilitation, and presenting to diverse audiences.
• They demonstrate strong interpersonal abilities that support the creation of effective, respectful, and cooperative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• This individual excels both collaboratively as a team member and in leading or supporting group processes, while also producing clear, well‑synthesized reports and assessments.
• They are highly organized, adept at managing multiple projects, priorities, timelines, and stakeholders, and skilled in analyzing complex information to develop sound solutions.
• The candidate is committed to continuous improvement through effective program assessment and data‑informed decision-making.
• Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.
• Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.
• Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."
• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with upper or graduate coursework in counseling, guidance, human relations, or related fields and three years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas required.

Nice To Haves

• Progressively responsible student affairs experience and working with students individually and /or in organizations
• Experience advising, facilitating, or supporting student organizations and large-scale student programs.
• Experience working effectively in a diverse, multicultural higher education environment, with evidence of inclusive and equity-minded programming.
• Experience with intergroup dialogue, facilitation, mediation, counseling, or conflict management in educational or organizational settings.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and assessing leadership development and educational programs in a university setting.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across university departments and with external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement educational leadership development programs and activities to enhance the student learning experience by overseeing the Lois J Swanson Leadership Resource Center and leadership programs.
• Develop, implement, and facilitate intergroup dialogue initiatives.
• Support campus-led dialogue initiatives.
• Assist the Director in the administration of the department and leading professional staff.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off : Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage : A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans to suit your needs.
• Retirement Plans : Participation in CalPERS defined benefit plan and access to voluntary savings plans like 403(b), 401(k), and 457.
• Educational Benefits : Tuition fee waivers for employees and eligible dependents.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) : Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Perks : Access to wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and various insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees