Program Director, Graduate Life & Diversity (Student Services Professional IV)

San Diego State University • San Diego, CA

9d • $6,320 - $9,014 • Onsite

About The Position

San Diego State University is seeking a Program Director to lead the Office of Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD), a unique campus resource dedicated to supporting the academic, personal, and professional success of graduate students. GLaD provides services and programs focused on graduate student engagement, community building, career preparation, writing support, leadership development, wellness, and belonging. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Campus and Community Affairs, the Program Director will guide GLaD’s daily operations, programs, staff, and resources while building strong partnerships across campus and in the broader community. This role will engage directly with graduate students, support a diverse student population, respond to complex or sensitive concerns through appropriate referrals, and use assessment and feedback to strengthen programs and services.

Requirements

• Experience supporting graduate students and leading student success initiatives within a large, complex university environment.
• Knowledge of graduate student success, including the academic, personal, professional, and well-being needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
• Leadership skills to supervise and support professional staff, student employees, and graduate-level student workers.
• Experience developing and implementing programs focused on career preparation, professional development, leadership, writing support, engagement, or holistic student success.
• Proficiency collecting, analyzing, and applying qualitative and quantitative data to assess programs and guide improvements.
• Skill in managing day-to-day operations, budgets, resources, events, and competing priorities within a student services program or center.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across campus, communicate the value of graduate student services, navigate sensitive concerns, and advance long-term strategic goals.
• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related.
• Possession of the below required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent to four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Counseling, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Five to eight years supporting graduate students or leading graduate student services, programs, or centers.
• Background teaching graduate-level courses, working within Graduate Studies, coordinating a writing center, or supporting graduate student research.
• Familiarity with donor relations, corporate partnerships, advancement efforts, or other strategies for expanding resources and sustaining student-centered programs.
• A master’s degree in counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.
• A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job-related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling.

Responsibilities

• Lead GLaD’s programs, services, strategic priorities, and day-to-day operations in alignment with graduate student needs and SDSU’s goals.
• Supervise and support professional staff, student employees, writing consultants, and other team members through clear expectations, training, mentorship, and professional development.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs that promote graduate student success, engagement, belonging, leadership development, career readiness, and retention.
• Build collaborative relationships with campus departments, student organizations, faculty, community partners, alumni, and potential external supporters to expand resources available to graduate students.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, space use, purchasing, and operational processes while ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Analyze student feedback, participation data, and program outcomes to identify trends, prepare reports, and recommend improvements to GLaD’s services and initiatives.

Benefits

• 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior