Director, Student Life and Leadership

California State University System•Fullerton, CA

43d

About The Position

The Office of Student Life and Leadership is committed to providing support and fostering community engagement to empower students through involvement, leadership, and co-curricular learning opportunities to enhance their Titan Experience. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Director, Student Life and Leadership (Administrator II). The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness. The Director provides strategic leadership in designing, building, and executing a comprehensive vision for student life at Cal State Fullerton. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President and Dean of Students for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management, the Director is responsible for the development, implementation, and assessment of co-curricular programs and services that advance student success and engagement. Key responsibilities include policy development, staff supervision, and fiscal management of departmental budgets. The Director oversees portfolios that include fraternity and sorority life, free speech initiatives, student organizations, club sports, volunteer programs, student leadership development, campus activities, and academic inter-club councils. The role requires strong collaboration with administrative and academic partners across the university to promote programs that complement the academic experience and engage students in high-impact practices. Working closely with the Engagement and Well-Being Management Team, the Director cultivates and sustains vibrant co-curricular environments that foster belonging, leadership, and personal growth. Collaborates with faculty and campus partners to ensure student engagement programs align with the university's mission and the strategic priorities of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management. The Director ensures the continuous assessment and evaluation of all program areas, oversees annual budget requests and allocations, and ensures compliance with university policies as well as federal and state regulations related to student organizations, free expression, and freedom of association. Additionally, the Director leads risk management efforts for Student Life and Leadership programs and works with campus partners to monitor activities involving university-affiliated organizations. The Director represents the Office of Student Life and Leadership across campus and within the Division of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Master's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Higher Education/Student Affairs, Student Development, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
A minimum of five years of professional work experience in a related field.
Experience with staff supervision and budget management.
Knowledge of higher education best practices in student engagement.
Demonstrated proficiency in organization and leadership development.
Demonstrated skills in decision making, facilitation, mediation, collaboration, project management, and fiscal planning.
Demonstrated leadership skills to recruit staff, create long range plans, coordinate new and existing programs, and collaborate with university and community constituents.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment.

Nice To Haves

Thorough knowledge of student development theory and an understanding of its relationship to student retention.
Student-centered, with a strong sense of personal integrity and proven leadership in engaging and mobilizing constituents.
Team player with a positive attitude and the ability to work in a professional environment.
Possession of strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to respond to common inquiries and complaints from students, parents, regulatory agencies, community members, and others.
Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and the media.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership in designing, building, and executing a comprehensive vision for student life.
Develop, implement, and assess co-curricular programs and services that advance student success and engagement.
Policy development.
Staff supervision.
Fiscal management of departmental budgets.
Oversee portfolios that include fraternity and sorority life, free speech initiatives, student organizations, club sports, volunteer programs, student leadership development, campus activities, and academic inter-club councils.
Collaborate with administrative and academic partners across the university to promote programs that complement the academic experience and engage students in high-impact practices.
Cultivate and sustain vibrant co-curricular environments that foster belonging, leadership, and personal growth.
Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to ensure student engagement programs align with the university's mission and the strategic priorities of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management.
Ensure the continuous assessment and evaluation of all program areas.
Oversee annual budget requests and allocations.
Ensure compliance with university policies as well as federal and state regulations related to student organizations, free expression, and freedom of association.
Lead risk management efforts for Student Life and Leadership programs.
Work with campus partners to monitor activities involving university-affiliated organizations.
Represent the Office of Student Life and Leadership across campus and within the Division of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management.