Executive Director, Belonging and Engagement Strategies

Job Summary

The Executive Director (ED) of Belonging and Engagement Strategies is an inspiring and dynamic leader that provides visionary, strategic, and action-oriented leadership for cluster-wide initiatives focused on student engagement, student success, and fostering a strong sense of belonging. Reporting to the AVP for Student Equity and Belonging, the ED will serve as a key thought partner to provide strategy and support for the Student Equity and Belonging team in shaping the student engagement and belonging strategies. This role will drive the development and implementation of high-impact programs and collaborations that foster student success, belonging, leadership exploration and transformational pathway initiatives. Manage a portfolio of belonging, student engagement and global programs that foster belonging and student success, and a team of leaders, including but not limited to the following units: Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Guardian Scholars, TRIO Programs (SSS/ASPIRE and McNair), and Global Programs and Services (International Student Scholar Services and Study Abroad and Away). The ED will support the AVP in developing strategic priorities, resource analysis, and education and outreach initiatives to make the portfolio successful and embraced by the campus community. The ED will encourage collaborative opportunities across the units, and enhance the areas where synergies already exist. The ED leads the Senior Director and Directors of these programs and services and develops, implements, and strengthens services grounded in student success and a holistic focus on belonging, student engagement, leadership development and transformative pathways. Serving as a chief collaborator, innovator, and storyteller for the programs and services in their portfolio, the ED champions cross-campus and community partnerships that amplify the impact and visibility of portfolio efforts. By supervising, guiding, and aligning the work of their direct reports, the ED ensures that initiatives are strategically coordinated, high-impact, and data-driven, advancing cluster, divisional and institutional goals.

Core responsibilities include:

• Data-driven strategy and innovation to respond to higher education trends and provide student ready and transformative practices
• Leadership and management of operations supported by multiple funding streams
• Cluster, cross-divisional, institutional and external partnerships to generate engagement with SJSU’s student equity and belonging offices, division of student affairs collaborators and external community partnerships
• People and team development for leaders and staff across multiple programs and units
• Experience in belonging, leadership and engagement strategies—co-curricular and integrated—to support student success across the arc of the student experience, through graduation and beyond
• Oversee budget (nearly $5 million across the portfolio), resource allocation, and staff management (for units under the ED’s supervision) including securing external funding, (grants, sponsorships) and ensuring responsible, strategic fiscal stewardship across all programs and initiatives to maximize impact on student retention and success outcomes

Key Responsibilities

• Leads strategy and sets vision for the program management, human resources and resource allocation, assessment and analysis, policy development and processes for belonging and global programs including but not limited to Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Guardian Scholars Program (GSP), TRIO (Student Success/ASPIRE and McNair Programs), and Global Programs and Services (International Student Scholar Services and Study Abroad and Away).
• Supervise and coach the managers and financial analyst and recommend personnel decisions regarding performance management, professional development, and terminations. Responsible for time management, absence reporting, and payroll.
• Create annual operational plans, refine area goals, KPIs, and activities that align with cluster and divisional strategy.
• Provide executive oversight for the operations, including comprehensive leadership and budget management of a multi-faceted unit.
• Utilize data insights to inform policy development, resource allocation, and strategic planning processes that advance equity, inclusion, and student success.
• Lead strategy for integrative and co-curricular opportunities in collaboration with campus partners and divisional leadership.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts to expand the reach and impact of student equity and belonging initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with faculty, staff, and external community organizations to create a seamless and supportive student experienc