Assistant to the Dean (Executive Assistant I)

Position Summary

Are you a highly organized, strategic administrative professional who thrives in a fast-paced executive environment? The Assistant to the Dean serves as a trusted partner to the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, providing high-level administrative and operational support that advances the College’s strategic priorities. This role serves as a key liaison between the Dean, executive leadership, school directors, faculty, university administrators, and community partners. Requiring discretion, independent judgment, and proactive communication, this position plays a vital role in supporting college-wide initiatives, faculty recruitment processes, special events, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executive Support: Manage the Dean’s complex calendar, coordinate meetings and communications, prepare briefing materials and correspondence, and ensure timely follow-up on key initiatives and action items.
• Leadership Liaison: Serve as a primary point of contact between the Dean and campus leadership, school directors, faculty, staff, students, and external partners, facilitating clear and professional communication.
• Faculty Recruitment Coordination: Support tenure-track search processes by coordinating documentation, monitoring timelines, scheduling interviews, and ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Strategic Operations: Maintain organized records and file systems, conduct research and analysis to support decision-making, and provide guidance on university policies and procedures.
• Event & Commencement Leadership: Coordinate major college events, including commencement and special initiatives, overseeing logistics such as venues, guest management, communications, and on-site facilitation.
• Development & Engagement Support: Assist with donor relations, gift acknowledgments, alumni engagement, and special events in partnership with the College Development team.
• Travel & Logistics Management: Coordinate comprehensive travel arrangements and itineraries for the Dean, ensuring compliance with university and external organization requirements.

Why Join Us?

• Support Transformational Leadership: Partner directly with the Dean in advancing a college dedicated to equitable health and human services.
• Influence College Impact: Play a central role in initiatives that support faculty excellence, student success, and community engagement.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Engage with diverse stakeholders across six academic schools, clinics, research centers, and university leadership.
• Professional Growth: Build expertise in executive administration, faculty recruitment processes, event leadership, and higher education operations.
• Mission-Driven Community: Be part of a college committed to belonging, innovation, and improving health and well-being locally and globally.

Position Information

• Full-time, benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• Position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The College of Health and Human Services is dedicated to preparing students to address the health and human service challenges of the 21st century. We are a community of professionals committed to advancing equitable health and wellbeing for all through research, education, and practice with local, national, and global communities. We believe that all people have an equal right to health and human services delivered by professional practitioners who are skilled in evaluation and treatment strategies appropriate for the communities they serve. We believe in the essential equality of all human beings and acceptance of the interdependence of people. Through our college’s strategic pillars – leading community impact, advancing innovative practices, developing students for compelling careers, and belonging – we are continuously working to improve health and human services.

The College of Health and Human Services comprises six academic schools, four clinics, and numerous research centers and institutes. There are more than 300 full and part-time faculty and more than fifty-five administrative and technical staff. The college provides undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate and credential programs through Global Campus. We offer a balanced educational experience of academic study, field placement, clinical experience, international experiences, and research opportunities.

For more information regarding the College of Health and Human Services, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Relevant education and/or experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Experience managing complex executive calendars and competing priorities.
• Experience coordinating meetings and events with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and apply established policies and procedures.
• Experience preparing travel documentation and processing expense reports.
• Demonstrated professionalism and sound judgment in handling confidential matters.
• Experience supporting faculty recruitment or similar procedural processes.
• Project coordination experience across multiple departments.
• Experience supporting a Dean, Vice President, or equivalent executive is preferred.
• Experience in higher education is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience, in alignment with the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 1 ($4,799).
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,799 – $6,992 per month (Step 1 – Step 20).
• Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

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

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

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.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and 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 student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU 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.

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by March 10, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and 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.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Taylor Smith at tjaress@sdsu.edu.