SDSU Research Foundation
Overview
Executive Director – Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work. This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place on October 29, 2025.
Starting salary range: $15,833.00 – $18,333.00 per month, non‑negotiable.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight to ensure the organization’s mission, programs, and operations align with the broader goals of San Diego State University.
Engage in strategic planning to identify needs and growth areas, positioning the organization to fulfill these needs and expand.
Work with Program and Division Directors, Managers, and Consultants to inform development and execution of innovative, equity‑driven workforce development initiatives.
Remain apprised of workforce development needs and policy trends to inform the evolution of services.
Identify and implement process improvements via active participation in strategic and operational decision making.
Exercise full authority over hiring, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability across all divisions.
Advance and actualize the Academy’s mission and provide direction regarding organization infrastructure development.
Strategic Leadership (20%)
Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight to ensure the organization’s mission aligns with San Diego State University’s goals.
Engage in strategic planning to identify needs and expansion opportunities with the Leadership Team.
Collaborate with Program and Division Directors to inform the development of innovative, equity‑driven initiatives.
Stay informed on workforce development needs and policy trends.
Identify and implement process improvements through committee participation and leadership meetings.
Exercise authority over hiring, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Champion continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability across divisions.
Advance the Academy’s Mission and lead infrastructure development.
Strategic Relationship Management (20%)
Cultivate and sustain high‑impact partnerships with industry leaders, agencies, and community providers.
Establish mechanisms for ongoing partner feedback and engagement.
Represent the organization in local, regional, and statewide forums.
Regularly interface with state officials and other key stakeholders.
Meet regularly with Southern California Health and Human Service Directors to engage in strategy discussions.
Serve as the primary liaison to SDSU and SDSU Research Foundation.
Develop and deliver presentations, reports, and strategic communications tailored to partners.
Acedemy Leadership (20%)
Participate on the Academy’s Leadership Team and Shared Leadership Team.
Engage in strategic planning and decision making regarding business development and sustainability.
Facilitate Leadership retreats to define vision and strategic direction.
Organization Culture Development (15%)
Develop and maintain an inclusive, collaborative work environment.
Inspire and engage staff to deliver innovative services.
Recruit, hire, and onboard new staff.
Orient new employees to organizational culture and core values.
Conduct exit interviews and develop organizational assessment surveys.
Review and revise policies to integrate culturally responsive and recovery‑oriented practices.
Supervision (10%)
Participate in recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new staff.
Co‑create and track individual development goals with direct reports.
Ensure availability of professional development opportunities.
Integrate culturally responsive practices into daily work.
Collaborate with leadership to plan staff development activities.
Performance Management
Monitor performance and conduct ongoing performance evaluation of direct reports.
Provide personnel management, supervision, and professional development.
Address performance issues in conjunction with SDSURF Human Resources.
Internal Relations (5%)
Communicate with Academy staff through email, video casts, meetings, and the Academy Hub.
Plan and facilitate staff meetings and committee events.
Interface with SDSU Research Foundation staff and SDSU School of Social Work leadership regarding fiscal and administrative operations.
Information Management (5%)
Remain informed on industry and workforce development trends.
Access critical information via listservs, subscriptions, conferences, and networking.
Distill and connect information for Academy staff.
Share information about the Academy’s mission in meetings with partners.
Marketing and Branding (5%)
Represent the Academy at conferences and external events.
Provide executive‑level oversight of the Brand and Marketing team.
Perform other duties as assigned in the best interests of the Academy.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Passion, humility, integrity, positive attitude, mission‑driven, and self‑directed.
Deep knowledge of culturally responsive and recovery‑oriented frameworks.
Model heart‑centered practices fostering psychological safety.
Executive presence and strategic foresight inspiring trust and commitment to equity.
Collaborative and inclusive leadership with ability to build high‑trust relationships.
Proven ability to lead by example, demonstrating organizational values.
Executive‑level critical thinking and analytical acumen.
Strong written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills.
Facilitation expertise and consensus building.
Diplomacy and active listening to model heart‑centered practices.
Advanced independent judgment to navigate complexity.
Strategic planning and facilitation for organizational alignment.
Drive innovation through emerging opportunities.
Project and change management skills ensuring timely execution.
Flexibility, resilience, and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Leverage technology systems including Google Workspace.
Evaluate performance using key indicators for continuous improvement.
Provide coaching and mentorship for leadership capacity.
Travel to Southern California counties, Sacramento, and other states as needed.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in Social Work (preferably Administrative Concentration) or related field in health and human services.
Twelve (12) years of leadership experience managing and supervising staff, ten (10) of which involve health and human services workforce development programs.
Ten (10) years of experience leading organizational strategy and operations.
Ten (10) years of sound budget development and management experience.
Preferred Qualifications Executive Leadership & Regional Expertise
Minimum of 10 years of senior executive leadership within health and human services organizations.
Extensive experience operating within the Southern California region.
Fiscal & Contractual Oversight
10+ years of experience managing complex budgets and multi‑year contracts.
Demonstrated fiscal accountability and strategic resource allocation.
Institutional Collaboration
10+ years of experience serving as a liaison with San Diego State University and SDSU Research Foundation.
Workforce Development Leadership
Minimum of 5 years of direct experience designing and delivering workforce development services.
Expertise in adult learning principles and culturally responsive facilitation.
Professional and Academic Foundation Advanced Knowledge And Practical Experience In
Social Work and Health & Human Services
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Change
Program Administration and Compliance Management
Organizational Development and Systems Thinking
Budget and Fiscal Management
Workforce Development Practices with specialized expertise in Adult Protective Services, Child Welfare, Indian Child Welfare, etc.
Additional Applicant Information
Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
Job offer contingent upon satisfactory background check.
San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal‑opportunity employer. The company provides equal opportunity employment in accordance with all applicable federal and state civil rights laws.
Employment decisions are based on qualifications related to the job.
SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, the ADA, Section 504, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, and other anti‑discrimination laws. It maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy prohibiting discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation, and retaliation.
SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions based on merit.
San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal‑opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
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Starting salary range: $15,833.00 – $18,333.00 per month, non‑negotiable.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight to ensure the organization’s mission, programs, and operations align with the broader goals of San Diego State University.
Engage in strategic planning to identify needs and growth areas, positioning the organization to fulfill these needs and expand.
Work with Program and Division Directors, Managers, and Consultants to inform development and execution of innovative, equity‑driven workforce development initiatives.
Remain apprised of workforce development needs and policy trends to inform the evolution of services.
Identify and implement process improvements via active participation in strategic and operational decision making.
Exercise full authority over hiring, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability across all divisions.
Advance and actualize the Academy’s mission and provide direction regarding organization infrastructure development.
Strategic Leadership (20%)
Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight to ensure the organization’s mission aligns with San Diego State University’s goals.
Engage in strategic planning to identify needs and expansion opportunities with the Leadership Team.
Collaborate with Program and Division Directors to inform the development of innovative, equity‑driven initiatives.
Stay informed on workforce development needs and policy trends.
Identify and implement process improvements through committee participation and leadership meetings.
Exercise authority over hiring, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Champion continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability across divisions.
Advance the Academy’s Mission and lead infrastructure development.
Strategic Relationship Management (20%)
Cultivate and sustain high‑impact partnerships with industry leaders, agencies, and community providers.
Establish mechanisms for ongoing partner feedback and engagement.
Represent the organization in local, regional, and statewide forums.
Regularly interface with state officials and other key stakeholders.
Meet regularly with Southern California Health and Human Service Directors to engage in strategy discussions.
Serve as the primary liaison to SDSU and SDSU Research Foundation.
Develop and deliver presentations, reports, and strategic communications tailored to partners.
Acedemy Leadership (20%)
Participate on the Academy’s Leadership Team and Shared Leadership Team.
Engage in strategic planning and decision making regarding business development and sustainability.
Facilitate Leadership retreats to define vision and strategic direction.
Organization Culture Development (15%)
Develop and maintain an inclusive, collaborative work environment.
Inspire and engage staff to deliver innovative services.
Recruit, hire, and onboard new staff.
Orient new employees to organizational culture and core values.
Conduct exit interviews and develop organizational assessment surveys.
Review and revise policies to integrate culturally responsive and recovery‑oriented practices.
Supervision (10%)
Participate in recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new staff.
Co‑create and track individual development goals with direct reports.
Ensure availability of professional development opportunities.
Integrate culturally responsive practices into daily work.
Collaborate with leadership to plan staff development activities.
Performance Management
Monitor performance and conduct ongoing performance evaluation of direct reports.
Provide personnel management, supervision, and professional development.
Address performance issues in conjunction with SDSURF Human Resources.
Internal Relations (5%)
Communicate with Academy staff through email, video casts, meetings, and the Academy Hub.
Plan and facilitate staff meetings and committee events.
Interface with SDSU Research Foundation staff and SDSU School of Social Work leadership regarding fiscal and administrative operations.
Information Management (5%)
Remain informed on industry and workforce development trends.
Access critical information via listservs, subscriptions, conferences, and networking.
Distill and connect information for Academy staff.
Share information about the Academy’s mission in meetings with partners.
Marketing and Branding (5%)
Represent the Academy at conferences and external events.
Provide executive‑level oversight of the Brand and Marketing team.
Perform other duties as assigned in the best interests of the Academy.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Passion, humility, integrity, positive attitude, mission‑driven, and self‑directed.
Deep knowledge of culturally responsive and recovery‑oriented frameworks.
Model heart‑centered practices fostering psychological safety.
Executive presence and strategic foresight inspiring trust and commitment to equity.
Collaborative and inclusive leadership with ability to build high‑trust relationships.
Proven ability to lead by example, demonstrating organizational values.
Executive‑level critical thinking and analytical acumen.
Strong written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills.
Facilitation expertise and consensus building.
Diplomacy and active listening to model heart‑centered practices.
Advanced independent judgment to navigate complexity.
Strategic planning and facilitation for organizational alignment.
Drive innovation through emerging opportunities.
Project and change management skills ensuring timely execution.
Flexibility, resilience, and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Leverage technology systems including Google Workspace.
Evaluate performance using key indicators for continuous improvement.
Provide coaching and mentorship for leadership capacity.
Travel to Southern California counties, Sacramento, and other states as needed.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in Social Work (preferably Administrative Concentration) or related field in health and human services.
Twelve (12) years of leadership experience managing and supervising staff, ten (10) of which involve health and human services workforce development programs.
Ten (10) years of experience leading organizational strategy and operations.
Ten (10) years of sound budget development and management experience.
Preferred Qualifications Executive Leadership & Regional Expertise
Minimum of 10 years of senior executive leadership within health and human services organizations.
Extensive experience operating within the Southern California region.
Fiscal & Contractual Oversight
10+ years of experience managing complex budgets and multi‑year contracts.
Demonstrated fiscal accountability and strategic resource allocation.
Institutional Collaboration
10+ years of experience serving as a liaison with San Diego State University and SDSU Research Foundation.
Workforce Development Leadership
Minimum of 5 years of direct experience designing and delivering workforce development services.
Expertise in adult learning principles and culturally responsive facilitation.
Professional and Academic Foundation Advanced Knowledge And Practical Experience In
Social Work and Health & Human Services
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Change
Program Administration and Compliance Management
Organizational Development and Systems Thinking
Budget and Fiscal Management
Workforce Development Practices with specialized expertise in Adult Protective Services, Child Welfare, Indian Child Welfare, etc.
Additional Applicant Information
Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
Job offer contingent upon satisfactory background check.
San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal‑opportunity employer. The company provides equal opportunity employment in accordance with all applicable federal and state civil rights laws.
Employment decisions are based on qualifications related to the job.
SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, the ADA, Section 504, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, and other anti‑discrimination laws. It maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy prohibiting discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation, and retaliation.
SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions based on merit.
San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal‑opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
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