Program Director, Black Leadership and Opportunity CenterCalifornia State University • San Jose, CA, United States

Program Director, Black Leadership and Opportunity Center

California State University • San Jose, CA, United States

2 days ago

Job type

Full-time

Job description

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of the Identity-Based Retention Centers, the Program Director (PD) manages all administrative operations of the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center (BLOC) and is responsible for developing, coordinating, planning, implementing, and assessing events, programs and services that advance the success of Black students across the student journey–from admissions to graduation and beyond. A core focus of this position is fostering a strong sense of belonging, empowering student leaders, and preparing students for life after graduation. The PD champions a student-centered approach, ensuring the BLOC is a welcoming and affirming space that supports students’ holistic well-being, cultural identities, academic success, persistence, and timely graduation. While the BLOC’s mission is to promote Black student success, all programs and activities are open and available to all students regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin. A critical responsibility of this role is advancing the vision and continuous improvement of existing programs while also developing new initiatives that strengthen student leadership skills, promote academic excellence, and prepare students for career and post‑graduate success. The Program Director will cultivate strong partnerships with campus collaborators, including but not limited to, working with Admissions to enhance Black student recruitment, with Institutional Research to track and analyze retention trends and design strategies that foster persistence through graduation, and with affinity groups such as faculty and staff associations and alumni networks to connect students with mentors and advocates committed to their advancement. The PD will also engage local community organizations to expand networks of support and opportunity for students. The PD will advance innovative strategies aligned with the divisional, institutional, and CSU systems goals and strategies to advance student success. To sustain these efforts, the PD will identify alternative sources of funding, including crowdfunding campaigns and grant opportunities, to support the center’s initiatives and programs.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement a recruitment strategy and training curriculum for student assistants that cultivates their leadership skills while preparing them to effectively support and operationalize the center’s programs and services.
Develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the BLOC that is in alignment with the University and Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plans.
Create culturally affirming spaces, programs, and services that foster social, cultural, and academic engagement for students, faculty, and staff, while strengthening Black students’ sense of belonging and connection to both the BLOC and the broader SJSU community.
Develop, manage, and assess high‑impact programs that strengthen Black student success, including but not limited to, peer mentoring programs, leadership development, and student research opportunities in partnership with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), while also designing and launching new initiatives that foster belonging, persistence, retention, and graduation, student leadership skills, and career readiness.
Lead the design and execution of targeted retention initiatives—including phone outreach campaigns, early alert interventions, and specialized support strategies—in partnership with college advising success centers, Financial Aid, Admissions, and other campus stakeholders to proactively identify and remove barriers to persistence, retention, and graduation for Black students.
Develop an inclusive, consistent, and student‑centered approach to assessment by creating a logic model for the BLOC and a comprehensive evaluation plan to measure the effectiveness and impact of its programs and services. Utilize the Division of Student Affairs Learning and Engagement Question Bank and other CSU / SJSU assessment tools to ensure alignment with divisional practices and continuous improvement.
Partner with other departments within the Student Equity and Belonging cluster to align initiatives, avoid duplication of efforts, and expand the reach and impact of programs that support Black student success.
Identify and cultivate partnerships with campus departments, faculty / staff affinity groups, and local community organizations to expand networks of support and advocacy for Black student success.
Provide consultation, advocacy, and direct support to students, making referrals to appropriate campus and community resources as needed.
Collaborate with Institutional Research, college success centers, and student support programs to develop interventions, provide retention services, and create pathways that foster persistence through graduation.
Address complex and sensitive issues involving students, faculty, staff, and family members with professionalism, discretion, and care, ensuring compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) while engaging parents and families in ways that support student success and respect student privacy.
Oversee and manage the center’s operational budget, including forecasting and projecting annual expenses, in collaboration with the Senior Director and AVP for Student Equity and Belonging.
Provide sound fiscal stewardship by developing and monitoring the annual budget, identifying short‑ and long‑term priorities, and preparing mid‑year projections and reports.
Oversee the daily operations of the BLOC, including managing email communication, scheduling meetings and events, coordinating use of the center space, and maintaining an organized and welcoming environment. Ensure that safety protocols, risk management practices, and compliance requirements are followed by all who use the center.
Provide supervision and leadership for professional staff. Responsibilities include hiring, onboarding, training, mentorship, and professional development, as well as conducting performance evaluations and setting goals in alignment with university policies and divisional priorities.
Develop, interpret, and implement internal policies, procedures, and workflows that ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with university, CSU, and federal regulations (e.g., Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Regularly review and update practices to align with evolving institutional priorities and standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally and respectfully with diverse constituents.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information and communications with students, families, employees, and external partners.

Knowledge of student development, multicultural and identity development frameworks, and best practices for serving historically underserved and underrepresented student communities.

Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and assess programs and initiatives that promote retention, persistence, and graduation.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to collect, analyze, and evaluate data and prepare cohesive reports that inform decision-making.

Knowledge of assessment techniques, program evaluation, and the ability to apply findings to improve services and outcomes.

Experience with budget preparation, monitoring, forecasting, and resource allocation.

Ability to interpret and apply university, CSU, state, and federal policies and procedures in a higher education setting.

Knowledge of and ability to use technology and software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation tools, and communication platforms. Experience with PeopleSoft and other student information systems preferred.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, coordinate, and execute multiple work priorities, events, and projects simultaneously.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse, multicultural environment and to partner effectively with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members.

Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, discretion, and decision‑making in a fast‑paced environment.

Ability to lead and facilitate group meetings, trainings, and workshops.

Ability to recommend initiatives and implement changes to improve the quality of programs and services.

Willingness and ability to travel to conferences, retreats, and other off‑site events as needed.

Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and support the professional development of full‑time staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.

Knowledge of effective leadership practices, including staff training, coaching, goal‑setting, and performance evaluation.

Ability to address and resolve personnel‑related conflicts, including those involving supervisors, colleagues, and other campus leaders, with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

Required Qualifications

Equivalent to graduation from a four‑year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job‑related.

Four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems. A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job‑related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling.

Preferred Qualifications

A Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, Counseling, Cultural Studies, Social Work, or a job‑related field is preferred.

Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and assessing retention initiatives that advance student success for historically underserved student populations.

Experience coordinating, planning, and facilitating programs and services that support students across multiple intersecting identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, disability, etc.).

Two to three years of direct experience working with Black students in higher education.

Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing student staff and graduate assistants.

Experience supervising or collaborating with faculty fellows and other academic partners.

Experience in budget management, including forecasting, resource allocation, and reporting.Demonstrated experience with program evaluation and measuring program impact.

Compensation

Classification : Student Services Professional IV

Anticipated Hiring Range : $6,320 / month

CSU Salary Range : $6,320 / month - $9,014 / month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30‑35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents :

Resume

Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period : October 24, 2025 through November 16, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel

jobs@sjsu.edu

408‑924‑2252

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self‑disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

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Program Director • San Jose, CA, United States