Director, Financial Wellbeing

CSU Careers•Pomona, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Cal Poly Pomona is committed to creating a campus culture through which all students have access to the resources and tools needed to thrive. As such, Cal Poly Pomona recognizes the need to address student equity gaps in more holistic, culturally relevant, and integrative ways. The role will report directly to the Sr. Associate Vice President, Equity and Belonging in the Division of Student Affairs. The Division of Student Affairs holistically supports student success through intentional programs, initiatives and collaborative partnerships (engagement), fosters an anti-racist and student-ready culture (equity and access) and creates innovative and integrative co-curricular pathways rooted in career readiness and civic engagement (lifelong learning and advocacy). Utilizing a social justice framework, DSA is a central space for students, parents, staff, and faculty to receive assistance with navigating the complexity of campus life. The Division of Student Affairs also strives for excellence through a shared student-centered philosophy and values of integrity, flexibility, passion, compassion, teamwork, interconnectedness, and quality. In performing the duties assigned to this position, the incumbent is expected to consistently demonstrate attitudes and behaviors that are in keeping with the division's philosophy, priorities, and values.

Requirements

Master's Degree - preferably in Higher Education, Counseling, Public Administration, Business, Finance, Student Affairs, Social Work, or a related field.
Driver License, Valid and in State Valid CA Driver's license with insurance.
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial wellness, financial aid, student affairs, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or related areas.
Proven experience developing, implementing, and assessing student-centered programs, initiatives, workshops, or services designed to support student success or holistic development.
Advanced knowledge of financial education principles, student financial challenges, and financial aid systems.
Demonstrated understanding of the complex financial realities and systemic barriers impacting college students, particularly first-generation, low-income, Pell-eligible, transfer, parenting, undocumented, and historically underserved student populations.
Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
Demonstrated ability to utilize data, assessment, and evidence-informed practices to support strategic planning, program improvement, and student success outcomes.
Success building collaborative partnerships across departments, divisions, organizations, and stakeholder groups.
Ability to collect, review, analyze and interpret institutional data.
Knowledge and skills to develop and facilitate workshops and training on procedural, technical, and other topics.
Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading financial wellness initiatives within higher education.
Experience designing, implementing, training, and leading peer educator and peer coaching programs
Experience securing grants, cultivating community partnerships, or collaborating with financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, or community-based agencies.
Professional certifications related to financial education, coaching, counseling, student affairs, or wellbeing (e.g., AFC®, CFEI®, CFP®, NASPA financial wellness training, etc.).

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for a financial wellbeing initiative for undergraduate and graduate students aligned with CSU and institutional priorities related to affordability, personalized pathways to student success, and holistic student wellbeing.
Lead the design, implementation, assessment, and continuous enhancement of comprehensive, culturally responsive, and student-centered financial wellbeing programs, services, workshops, outreach initiatives, and educational campaigns.
Develop and advance both short- and long-term strategic goals focused on strengthening students’ financial knowledge, financial resilience, economic mobility, and overall capacity to navigate the financial realities of higher education and life beyond graduation.
Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and improvement through the thoughtful use of assessment data, emerging research and trends, student feedback, and evidence-informed practices.
Identify and cultivate opportunities for innovation, strategic growth, cross-campus collaboration, and expanded impact in support of a holistic financial wellbeing ecosystem.
Develop assessment measures and evaluation tools to determine program effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
Utilize data to inform decision-making, identify trends, and support strategic planning.
Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate peer educators, and/or student employees.
Manage departmental budgets, grants, and allocated resources responsibly and strategically.
Seek external funding opportunities and partnerships that support financial wellness initiatives.
Lead and oversee Cal Poly Pomona’s Financial Wellbeing Initiative focused on empowering undergraduate and graduate students to build financial confidence, financial resilience, economic mobility, and long-term wellbeing in support of their academic, personal, and professional success.
Design, implement, and sustain a comprehensive, culturally relevant, asset-based, and trauma-informed approach to financial wellbeing that recognizes the diverse lived experiences students bring to conversations about money, including the ways culture, family history, systemic inequities, and prior experiences may shape relationships with financial decision-making, financial stress, and economic opportunity.
Develop and oversee workshops, trainings, educational campaigns, symposiums, coaching services, university badge opportunities, peer education initiatives, and digital resources related to: Building healthy relationships with money and financial confidence, Financial wellbeing for students supporting family responsibilities, Balancing work, school, caregiving, and financial obligations, Budgeting and money management, Credit, debt management, and responsible borrowing, Banking, savings, and wealth-building strategies, Investing and long-term financial planning, Understanding credit scores and establishing credit responsibly, Salary negotiation, benefits literacy, and financial preparation for post-graduation life, Identity theft, fraud prevention, and financial safety, Economic mobility and pathways toward long-term financial stability.
Develop and implement a peer financial coaching and education model that equips and empowers students to serve as trained peer educators, ambassadors, and financial wellbeing coaches who can provide culturally relevant outreach, mentorship, education, and support.
Create university badge opportunities that recognize students’ engagement, learning, leadership development, and applied financial wellbeing competencies.
Ensure all programs, services, and educational materials are accessible, student-centered, culturally responsive, and reflective of the identities, strengths, aspirations, and realities of CPP’s diverse student population, including first-generation, low-income, Pell-eligible, transfer, parenting, and historically underserved students.
Provide direct support, coaching, and referral services to students navigating financial stress, instability, economic uncertainty, or complex financial decision-making challenges.
Connect students to campus and community-based resources that support financial stability, basic needs security, wellbeing, and long-term success.
Promote financial wellbeing as an essential component of holistic student success, retention, persistence, belonging, and post-graduate thriving.
Expand student awareness, engagement, and access through strategic outreach efforts, digital educational resources, campus-wide campaigns, partnerships, and collaborative programming across the university community.
Build collaborative partnerships across campus including Financial Aid, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Associated Students Incorporated (ASI), Enrollment Management, University Advancement, and other key stakeholders to elevate, integrate, and strengthen institutional efforts related to financial wellbeing, student success, and economic empowerment.
Establish and maintain partnerships with community organizations, nonprofit agencies, financial institutions, and external partners to expand resources and opportunities for students.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate financial wellness education into curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Serve as a campus resource and subject matter expert on student financial wellness and economic equity.
Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for institutional leadership and stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with applicable university, state, federal, and financial education regulations and policies.
Contribute to emerging divisional initiatives and special projects aligned with institutional priorities and student success goals.

Benefits

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers.
Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future.
As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California.
The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.
Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.
In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for.
Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.
Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
The CSU Classification Standards for this position are located on the CSU Classification Standards website.
The CSU Salary Schedule is located on the CSU Salary Schedule website.
Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Positions that require driving for university business by using a personal or state vehicle must comply with the Authorized University Driver Policy.
Driving records are monitored and evaluated by the Risk Management Department.
This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code.
The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file financial interest disclosure forms subject to state regulations.
Executive and Management Plan Personnel employees must disclose all current outside employment at the time of hire as a precondition of hire and at the following times after hire: annually in July, within 30 days of accepting outside employment, and upon their manager’s request.
The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona’s Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing.
As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.
Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at [email protected].
Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Pomona provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities.
Cal Poly Pomona complies with Title VI 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), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy.
We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona complies with the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and requests priority referral of protected veterans for our job openings.