Associate Director (TUC – College of Business & Economics)

CSU Careers•Northridge, CA

About The Position

The Associate Director serves as Project Coordinator for the Center for Fintech Innovation and Policy, a program funded by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor Strengthening Institutions Program. Under the direction of the Director and in close collaboration with faculty directors, the Associate Director leads day-to-day Center operations across California State University, Northridge and Cal State LA. The role combines research, teaching, program management, student engagement, outreach, communications, events, and federal grant administration. Its scope may evolve as the Center develops, and rigorous, detail-oriented program management is central to the position. The program gives undergraduate students from both universities the opportunity to learn how financial technology works, build and secure a working product using AI tools, and pitch it to industry. Students earn a certificate and degree credit. The program is designed to serve first-generation and low-income students and prepare them for high-wage careers in finance and technology. The Associate Director develops an independent research agenda connected to the Center, analyzes program data with faculty directors and an external evaluator, produces scholarly and public-facing work, presents at conferences, and contributes to evaluation and dissemination. The position also supports grant development and administration, leads student recruitment and advising, and serves as a teaching assistant and instructor in courses and workshops. The role plans and hosts Center events, cultivates industry and community partnerships, coordinates advisory groups, manages the Center’s social media, website and newsletter, and hires and directs student assistants. Equipment and tools used include a personal computer and standard office equipment, Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, Qualtrics, Canvas, PeopleSoft, web content management systems, Canva and Adobe design tools, AI tools, social media and newsletter platforms, and video-conferencing tools. The position is full-time and has an anticipated hiring range of $80,000 per year. Employment is through The University Corporation.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (Ph.D., D.B.A., or equivalent) or terminal law degree (J.D., LL.M., J.S.D., or S.J.D.) in management, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems, economics, education, public policy, law, or a related field.
ABD candidates or candidates awaiting degree conferral may begin before conferral if the degree is conferred and certification of conferral is submitted no later than August 2027; continued appointments are contingent on meeting this deadline.
Demonstrated ability to produce rigorous written work and draft, edit, and proofread professional documents with a high degree of accuracy.
Experience organizing records and managing deadlines across multiple projects.
Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
Commitment to serving a diverse student population.

Nice To Haves

Research agenda related to fintech, fintech policy and financial regulation, AI policy and governance, law and AI, AI in education or organizations, entrepreneurship, or workforce and economic mobility; work at the intersection of fintech and law, AI and law, fintech policy, or AI policy is especially welcome.
Experience with policy work, such as writing policy briefs, regulatory comments, or white papers, or engaging with regulators, legislators, or public agencies.
Teaching or mentoring experience with undergraduates.
Experience planning and hosting events and conducting outreach to industry, government, or community partners.
Experience in student recruitment, advising, or program coordination in a university setting.
Experience supporting a federally funded grant, including documentation and reporting.
Experience drafting grant proposals or comparable funder-facing narratives.
Experience managing organizational social media and websites.
Training or experience in precise document preparation, records management, deadline tracking, and compliance review, such as in a legal, compliance, contracts, or regulatory setting.
Experience with design tools such as Canva or Adobe, a web content management system, and campus systems such as Qualtrics, Canvas, or PeopleSoft.
Experience hiring or supervising student employees.
Advanced familiarity with AI tools and their application to research, writing, data analysis, and content creation.
Recent doctoral and law graduates are encouraged to apply; the position is suited to an early-career scholar.

Responsibilities

Run the Center’s day-to-day operations under the Director’s guidance and draft professional correspondence on its behalf.
Prepare, format, proofread, and review reports, memos, letters, agreements, and presentations; maintain program files, records, deadlines, and federal grant compliance documentation.
Track filing requirements and deadlines and review activities for compliance with grant terms, university policy, and federal requirements.
Conduct research and fact-checking and summarize findings in written briefs.
Organize faculty workshops and events that support faculty development and engagement with the Center.
Develop and pursue an independent research agenda related to the Center’s work; analyze program data with faculty directors and the external evaluator.
Write and publish scholarship, policy briefs, reports, and public-facing pieces; present at academic and practitioner conferences; contribute to evaluation reports and dissemination through STEM-NET and the CSU system.
Identify funding opportunities and draft grant proposals, including narratives, program rationales, and evaluation plans, in coordination with the Director and TUC Research & Sponsored Projects.
Advise, mentor, and serve as a primary point of contact for students; lead student recruitment and admissions at both campuses, prioritizing outreach to first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
Manage applications in Qualtrics, guide admitted students through cohort registration and CSU Concurrent Enrollment, and maintain cohort rosters.
Teach or assist in program courses and workshops; prepare and deliver lectures and labs, develop materials and assignments, grade, hold office hours, and mentor students through projects and capstone pitches.
Plan and host Center events, including orientations, information sessions, speaker series, webinars, podcasts, workshops, mentor meetings, faculty development sessions, the capstone pitch event, and the annual flagship fintech event.
Manage event logistics, speakers, registration, and follow-up; support leadership and steering committee meetings with agendas, minutes, and action-item tracking; participate in Center and College events and faculty development sessions.
Represent the Center at external events, conferences, and industry gatherings; conduct outreach to fintech firms, financial institutions, regulators, venture investors, and community organizations.
Cultivate guest speakers, mentors, employer partners, and project sponsors; coordinate with the Industry Advisory Board and Faculty Advisory Group.
Manage Center social media accounts, website, and newsletter; create content about Center activities, student work, and fintech developments; produce recruitment and promotional materials consistent with campus brand guidelines.
Collect and organize data for annual federal reporting and the external evaluator; support budget tracking, purchasing, and reconciliation with the sponsored programs office.
Liaise with sponsored programs and institutional research offices at both campuses.
Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and provide lead work direction to undergraduate and graduate student assistants, and approve their timesheets.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Center and grant.