Programs Coordinator (Administrative Support Coordinator I)

Join San Diego State University as a Programs Coordinator and support the programs and operations that help advance research and innovation across the university. Working within the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI), you'll provide administrative and program coordination support for faculty and student-focused initiatives, research operations, and special projects.

In this role, you'll work closely with the Deputy Chief Research Officer, faculty, staff, and campus partners to coordinate meetings, maintain records, prepare materials, manage schedules, and support research-related programs and activities. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys staying organized, managing multiple priorities, and contributing to a collaborative university environment.

• Provide administrative support to the Deputy Chief Research Officer and the Division of Research and Innovation.
• Coordinate calendars, meetings, agendas, presentations, reports, and other administrative materials.
• Manage communications, respond to inquiries, and maintain organized records and documentation.
• Assist with research-related projects, information requests, and confidential administrative matters.

• Support faculty and student-focused programs, research initiatives, and university committees.
• Coordinate meetings and activities for the Deans' Research Council, University Research Council, and university Centers and Institutes.
• Assist with research operations, program documentation, policies, renewals, and special projects.
• Gather information, track activities, and support coordination among faculty, staff, and campus partners.

• Coordinate meetings, conferences, and project activities, including scheduling, logistics, materials, and meeting minutes.
• Arrange travel, reconcile expenses, and assist with purchasing and administrative transactions.
• Maintain shared calendars, group email accounts, project records, and other organizational resources.
• Support onboarding and administrative coordination for incoming project staff, interns, and volunteers.

We're looking for an organized, detail-oriented professional who enjoys supporting programs, coordinating activities, and working with a variety of people across a university environment.

Experience in areas such as the following is especially valuable:

• Administrative support, office coordination, or program support
• Calendar management, meeting coordination, and scheduling
• Preparing correspondence, reports, presentations, and meeting materials
• Budget tracking, purchasing, travel coordination, or expense reconciliation
• Managing multiple priorities and handling confidential information
• Working with faculty, staff, leadership, or cross-functional teams is a huge plus
• Office technology and tools such as Google Forms, Qualtrics, or similar platforms is a huge plus
• Higher education, public sector, or nonprofit environments is a huge plus

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 1 day per week with on-sitework at SDSU campus in San Diego.

Led by the Vice President for Research and Innovation, the Division of Research and Innovation is the central university office with oversight of SDSU Research Foundation, and the following units: Innovation, Research Operations, Research Advancement, Research Support Services, Technology Transfer, the ZIP Launchpad, Research Communications, Undergraduate Research, and a specialized IT unit. The leader of the unit is the Vice President for Research and Innovation. As the chief research officer for SDSU, Division of Research & Innovation (DRI) promotes research opportunities for SDSU faculty and students and is leading the efforts to develop the SDSU Mission Valley Innovation District. In collaboration with all academic colleges and other university divisions, DRI aims to increase the number and variety of corporate and foundation partnerships to expand the resources available to the university to achieve these goals. The Deputy Chief Research Officer - Research Operations (DCRO) oversees the Dean's Research Council (DRC), University Research Council (URC), SDSU Center/Institute administrative management, and Program Termination/Bridge Funding. In addition, the DCRO serves as DRI representative and leads several university committees and working groups and serves as a regional representative on boards and at events. The DCRO is tasked with growing the cancer portfolio of research at SDSU, in collaboration with Moores Cancer Center and supports other high-level priorities of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.

For more information regarding the Division of Research and Innovation, click here.

Entry to this classification requires a fully functional knowledge of and skill in standard office procedures and practices, as well as an ability to understand and operate in a variety of organizational structures. Additionally, incumbents are expected to have a thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation and be able to clearly communicate orally and in writing. Some positions may require a knowledge of business mathematics beyond basic arithmetic. The ability to use and quickly lean new office support technology systems and software packages is also a prerequisite.

These qualifications would normally be obtained through a high school program, technical/vocational program, or their equivalents combined with several years of related office work experience.

• Experience with survey or data collection tools (e.g., Qualtrics, Google Forms, SurveyMonkey), or a willingness to learn.
• Demonstrated experience with and/or commitment to working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Three years progressively responsible experience in a position requiring a high degree of judgement, discretion, and initiative to coordinate activities associated with an executive or senior management office.
  • Experience working in a large public sector, non-profit, or educational institution.

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. 

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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.