Executive Director, Student Health Services

Job Description:

Executive Director, Student Health Services

Description

San Diego State University (SDSU) is seeking a dynamic, student-centered, and visionary leader to serve as the next Executive Director of Student Health Services (SHS). This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and strategic college health professional to guide a comprehensive, AAAHC-accredited health center that serves a diverse student population of approximately 35,000. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Health, Wellness, and Student Services, the Executive Director will lead a dedicated, multidisciplinary team and provide forward-thinking administrative and clinical leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, accessible, and culturally responsive medical care. Located on SDSU’s vibrant and beautiful campus-just minutes from San Diego’s beaches, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment-SHS is an essential part of the university’s holistic commitment to student well-being.

The Executive Director’s key responsibilities include directing and coordinating all aspects of Student Health Services (SHS), with a focus on medical care, clinical supervision, resource management, and policy development. As an enthusiastic collaborator, they will build partnerships across campus, including with Athletics to support SDSU’s Division I student-athletes, and with local providers to ensure continuity of care and alignment with SHS’s mission to deliver services in a safe, welcoming environment that holistically supports students’ health, well-being, and personal and academic success. This senior leader will work closely with the Associate Vice President to advance SHS’s mission, goals, and programs; expand outreach services and regional partnerships; manage budgets, personnel, and internal resources; and guide the overall direction of SHS.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership experience in student health and well-being, along with the ability to inspire, motivate, and communicate effectively with SHS staff, Student Affairs colleagues, campus partners, community stakeholders, and SDSU students. The Executive Director must exhibit deep cultural competence and sensitivity; strong skills in diplomacy, conflict negotiation, and resolution; and the ability to support and collaborate with diverse groups to ensure services are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all community members. Additionally, the Executive Director should bring experience in a broader health system environment, strong financial and administrative management capabilities, and a solid understanding of complex organizations and the principles of organizational sustainability, including budget and human resource management.

Primary Responsibilities

Overall Direction and Leadership for SHS (40%)

• Develop policy in accordance with campus policies & procedures on the scope and application of health services at SDSU. Provide input and leadership for policy development at the CSU level by serving on system-wide committees or by providing advice/data to support these ends.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans for organizational sustainability, program goals, and operating procedures for SHS (as consistent with its mission) to provide visionary leadership and direction for the department, and to foster continued support of a health campus community, and specifically, student-centered health care.
• Identify strategies for generating revenue resources for the department. Effectively communicate plans and expectations to the departmental staff and University administrators.
• Supervise and guide staff as appropriate in the interpretation and application of policy pertaining to specific operational programs and goals.
• Serve as a department head within the Division of Student Affairs and work to fulfill the mission and goals of the Division through the services and programs of SHS.
• Develop and implement administrative policies to ensure continued compliance with all appropriate regulatory requirements.
• Ensure measures for continual review and assessment of programs to adapt to changing student and University needs as warranted.

Campus, Community, and Public Outreach (20%)

• Provide high-level direction and guidance to administrators, faculty, staff, and students as needed pertaining to health-related issues.
• Serve as a key contributor to campus policy and decision-making, as requested by University leadership.
• Serve as operational/management lead with SDSU risk management and the CSU Office of General Counsel for SHS related situations.
• Serve as public health subject matter expert for the campus.
• Serve as the university point of contact and lead with the County of San Diego HHS for public health situations.
• Interact professionally with students, parents, student organizations, alumni, faculty, administrators, professional societies, and others to achieve the goals of SHS and ensure the highest possible quality medical/health programs and education for students.
• Serve as a representative on various University committees, as assigned.
• Collaborate with StratCom to facilitate health-related communications with outside agencies as needed. This may include other CSU campuses, city, county, and state health departments, primary care providers/medical specialists, and other agencies, especially during health-related emergencies.
• Serve as a university spokesperson on and off camera with outside agencies as appropriate especially as it pertains to health-related issues.

Program Development and Evaluation (15%)

• Develop and implement policies to ensure continued compliance with all appropriate regulatory requirements.
• Ensure measures for continual review and assessment of programs to adapt to changing student and university needs as warranted.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to evaluating, improving, and innovating programs and services in response to evolving needs. Serve as the Department HIPAA Privacy Officer responsible for assessment, implementation, and maintenance of department compliance and reporting.

Personnel and Fiscal Management (15%)

• Effectively and efficiently oversee and manage all department and program resources (e.g., budget, personnel, and facilities).
• Oversee staff management and accountability, including staff selection, orientation, supervision, training, development, and evaluation.
• Supervise and evaluate the SHS Management team.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all accreditation standards, license requirements, and state laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of medicine.
• Ensure all staff have adequate opportunities for medical, leadership, and other relevant professional development and/or education.
• Maintain a positive work environment that encourages collaborations across the department.
• Design, establish, and maintain an organizational structure and staffing aligned with revenue and enrollment projections to accomplish the department’s goals and objectives effectively.
• Maintain and review all departmental personnel files to ensure that position descriptions are current and that all personnel positional responsibilities are in line with their respective classification standards.
• Ensure that all positional changes and required documentation are completed promptly and following human resources policies and/or collective bargaining group contract requirements.

Fund Development (5%)

• Enhance relationships and maintain meaningful communication with prospective and current donors.
• Identify and cultivate potential new donors.

Other Duties (5%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and the Director of Well-being & Health Promotion to design and implement an innovative integrative mental health model. As a collaborative team between the areas noted, along with seeking advice from other entities as needed, develop an approach to mental health that is mutually beneficial to all units and ensures that assigned staff is utilized to their fullest potential to accommodate students with mental health needs.

Position Information

• This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not 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.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

Student Health Services offers primary medical care and health promotion to San Diego State University students through a wide range of programs and services. Care is provided by board-certified physicians, certified nurse practitioners, and other medical staff, including nurses, clinical laboratory scientists, x-ray technologists, medical assistants, and pharmacists. In addition to basic medical care, Student Health Services currently offers health education, orthopedic services, and psychiatric care. The mission of SDSU Student Health Services is to provide high-quality, convenient, student-focused medical care in a safe and welcoming environment, actively partnering with our student patients to help them achieve and maintain healthy lives, supporting their personal and academic success. Student Health Services also collaborates deeply with local providers, health partners, and insurance providers to ensure continuity of care and referrals, as appropriate. The unit also works closely with SDSU’s certified athletic trainers for sports-related injuries and general health needs in support of its Division 1 student-athletes, and in accordance with NCAA requirements.

Education and Experience

• A medical degree with at least two years of administrative experience or a master’s degree or doctoral degree in health care administration, public health, educational health administration, or a related field AND a minimum of five years of progressive leadership and management experience in a comparable health services or university program.
• Knowledge of funding principles, methods, procedures, and resources within a public University environment (state allocations, fee-generated revenue, program-generated revenue, contracts & grants, gifts, donations, accounting, and contract negotiations).
• Experience in assessment and evaluation of programs/services. Demonstrated experience with or understanding of the implementation of quality assurance programs.
• Ability to envision and plan strategically; develop, analyze, and implement policy and procedures. The ability to be proactive in preparing for current issues and trends; and the ability to effectively monitor and respond to emergent trends when necessary. A high degree of initiative, judgement and resourcefulness and communication in carrying out assigned areas of responsibilities.
• Experience working with individuals of diverse educations, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Direct Supervisory experience within a classified system, preferably in a collective bargaining environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of organizational sustainability, which is inclusive of budget and human resources.
• Ability to effectively and professionally interact with institutional partners (local, CSU, national) to maintain and grow collaborative relationships and networks.
• Excellent communication skills including written, oral and interpersonal skills
• General understanding of fundraising and fund development, and the ability to effectively and professionally interact with donors to initiate new and/or maintain/enhance pre-existing relationships.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of the CSU’s policies and procedures governing student health services.
• Knowledge and understanding of human resources management and collective bargaining practices for both administrative and clinical aspects in a healthcare facility on a university campus.
• General knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations including HIPAA, FERPA, Mandated Reporting, and the Jeanne Clery Act pertaining to health care delivery systems.
• Knowledge of current and emerging environmental, regulatory and legislative issues and trends impacting the delivery and financing of patient care in the public sector.
• Working knowledge of relevant health care economics. Knowledge and understanding of budgeting and financial management principles and practices related to health care in a public institution setting.
• Familiarity with both current and future uses of technology in healthcare. This includes, but is not limited to billing, health insurance, patient information systems, lab, dental, optometry, imaging, etc.
• In addition, preference will be given to an Executive Director that possesses the following strengths: vision, innovative, considered a leader in the field, enthusiastic, collaborative, student-centered, motivated, creative, and able to communicate well. Preference will also be given to those candidates that are strong in strategic planning skills, the ability to be forward thinking, with knowledge and demonstrable experience in conflict negotiation and/or resolution; possess diplomacy, tact, cultural sensitivity, knowledge and understanding of the principles of organizational sustainability.

Compensation and Benefits

At San Diego State University, we value our team members and offer a competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience. In addition, our exceptional benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Leave Benefits: Enjoy 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year.
• Retirement Security: Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan, with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan, plus retiree healthcare benefits.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access a variety of health, dental, and vision plans at no or low cost to you.
• Educational Opportunities: Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.
• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance, Life and Disability Insurances, a Legal Plan, Pet Insurance, and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.

Anticipated hiring range: $200,000-$223,260 annually

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here .

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.

Supplemental Information

SDSU has partnered with Keeling & Associates (K&A) in this search process. Interested applicants must send a resume and cover letter, preferably in PDF format, to recruiting@keelingassociates.com . The subject line of the email should read “SDSU-Executive Director SHS.” Confidential inquiries and nominations should be addressed to LeAnna Rice at lrice@keelingassociates.com . A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the appointment is made. All materials submitted by July 21, 2025, will be given full consideration.

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 .

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Casie Martinez at cmartinez12@sdsu.edu.

Advertised: Jul 01 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: