Position Summary

Are you a highly organized and proactive professional with a passion for higher education and philanthropy? Join us at San Diego State University as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of University Relations and Development. In this pivotal role, you will provide essential high-level administrative and programmatic support to the Vice President and Director of Board and Executive Affairs, playing a key part in advancing our mission and fostering meaningful connections within our university community.

Responsibilities:

• Administrative Excellence: Offer comprehensive administrative support to the Vice President, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and meeting coordination.
• Research and Reporting: Conduct in-depth research and prepare detailed information to support University Relations and Development operations.
• Liaison Duties: Serve as the primary point of contact between the Vice President’s office and senior university officials, including the President’s Office, deans, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, prospects, students, and parents, as well as state and local government offices.
• Strategic Coordination: Work closely with the Director of Board and Executive Affairs to manage the Vice President’s responsibilities as President/CEO of the Campanile Foundation and coordinate major and principal gift activities.
• Event Management: Organize and execute key meetings and events, ensuring seamless communication and logistics.

Why Join Us:

• Impact: Contribute to key initiatives and influence the future of San Diego State University.
• Engagement: Work in a dynamic environment with diverse stakeholders and exciting projects.
• Growth: Develop your skills and advance your career within a supportive and innovative team.

If you are a detail-oriented individual with a knack for organization and a passion for higher education, we invite you to apply and join our team at San Diego State University.

Position Information

• Full-time, benefits eligible, and permanent/probationary
• Exempt from overtime under FLSA
• Standard hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with occasional after-hours, event, and weekend work as needed.
• Approved for partial telecommuting, with occasional onsite work in San Diego and travel for off-campus appointments and events.

Department Summary

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university’s vision and mission underscored in the 2020 five-year strategic plan. The plan identifies five strategic priorities including: Becoming a Premier Public Research University: A New Kind of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI); Resilience. Designed to Thrive; We Are SDSU; Equity and Inclusion in Everything We Do; and Students at Our Core.

Units of URAD work together to create enduring relationships with alumni, parents, donors, students, and the community to generate private support for SDSU students, faculty and a diverse number of programs. URAD handles a range of services encompassing stewardship, events, gift administration, communications and more.

Within URAD, the departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned and Annual Giving, Special Events, Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a difference in the lives of SDSU’s 39,000 students.

URAD had another record-setting fundraising year in 2022-2023 with $136.9M total raised. Other superlatives in 2022-2023 include 16,534 total gifts, 2,254 scholarships awarded and 5,969 first-time donors. The latest fundraising success can be credited to the university’s goal of building a world-class university campus, research center, and multi-use stadium in Mission Valley to serve higher education, the public good, and the community’s goals and aspirations.

SDSU has been recognized several times for its exceptional development program by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). With the support of loyal donors and working alongside SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff leaders, SDSU builds lifelong relationships with over 480,000 alumni, friends and the community that advance the mission of SDSU.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

University Relations and Development at San Diego State University is committed to upholding, as a foundational belief, a supportive working environment of inclusion that values, honors, and respects, all members of our team and the University community.

We strive to engage in and promote the fair and equitable recruitment and training of URAD staff members, develop meaningful relationships with all groups in our diverse campus community, and share philanthropic stories that highlight the impact of and opportunity for diverse giving by our SDSU community.

University Relations and Development firmly believes that an inclusive environment facilitates critical and creative thinking, and that differences in identities, values, beliefs, and perspectives are fundamental to our mission of generating philanthropic support for the university and its student body.

Within University Relations and Development, the term diversity implies a respect for all and an understanding of individual differences and other characteristics protected by applicable state or federal law, so that all members of the community are treated at all times with dignity and respect.

We value diversity and inclusion in the working environment and believe it is vital to the fulfillment of the university’s mission.

For more information regarding the University Relations and Development, click here.

Education and Experience

To enter this classification at position skill level I, the incumbent must have a basic foundation of knowledge of the principles of organization, administration and management; and the ability to analyze and find solutions to problems, work independently, communicate effectively, and write clear and concise reports. Some positions may require a basic knowledge of research techniques and statistical methods. This foundation would normally be obtained through a bachelor’s degree or professional training program specific to the position (e.g. Certified Public Accountant) and directly related work experience, or a combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Key Qualifications

• Experience supporting a high-level executive.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and detail skills.
• PC skills including use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher).
• Skilled in securing travel arrangements and managing an executive's calendar.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 2-3 years of administrative experience supporting high-level executives.
• Basic prospect research skills preferred.
• Experience in higher education is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications Required

Valid California driver’s license required within 10 days of hire.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $7,167 per month (86,000/annual). 

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,464 - $10,689 per month. 

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. 

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement.  For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on September 27, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by September 26, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

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. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at lpeeples@sdsu.edu.