Executive Director (SMSU)

Santos Manuel Student Union

California State University, San Bernardino

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hiring Range: $147,865 - $184,831

Job Title: Executive Director

Department: Administration

Reports To: SMSU BOD Chair/Associate Vice President, Student Affairs

Location: San Bernardino Campus

FLSA Status: Exempt

Category: Full-Time, Regular, At-Will

Salary Grade: 12

*This position will remain open until filled

About Santos Manuel Student Union at CSUSB

(This is not a state position)

The Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU) is a focal point of the campus where students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and guests can develop an enduring relationship with the campus. Serving as the campus social hub, the SMSU assists in the retention and development of students, while encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural pluralism, gender equity, and ethnic diversity. The SMSU nurtures an environment conducive to personal growth and development through a variety of cultural, social, educational, and recreational activities. Bridging formal learning and life experiences, the SMSU also serves as a training ground for developing student leaders through leadership opportunities and employment that promote an active learning domain.

Functioning as a meeting place on campus, the facilities provide a comfortable and relaxing environment with a multitude of services important for the University community.

SMSU North first and second floors house a variety of services and departments including: Coyote Lanes Bowling Alley, Coyote Cantina, game room, social stairs, CSUSB Bookstore, lounge spaces, The Habit Burger Grill, dining area, an outdoor plaza deck, and our massive 12,000 square foot conference center. Also known as the Student Success floor- the third floor houses our JEDI Centers: Asian and Pacific Islander Desi American Center, First Peoples Center, Latinx Center, Pan-African Student Success Center, Osher Adult Re-Entry Center, Queer and Transgender Resource Center, and Women’s Resource Center. Other campus entities include: Associated Students Incorporated (ASI), Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, Leadership Lab, Undocumented Student Success Center and 1,000 square feet of study/lounge space.

SMSU South facilities include: a spacious lobby, relaxation and study lounge areas, meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art theater, a multi-purpose Events Center used for major events, Financial Literacy Center, Graduate Student Success Center, and E-Sports Arena. Other services and departments located within the SMSU are Basic Needs, Obershaw Den, New Student Orientation and Family Programs, the Office of Black Student Success, and the Division of Student Affairs Office.

Work Schedule

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position. Willingness to work a flexible schedule as necessary in order to respond to emergency/urgent situations is required. This may include working extended hours, evenings, weekends and some holidays.

General Purpose

The Executive Director of the Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU), a 501 c3 auxiliary organization of CSU San Bernardino, provides leadership, management, direction, and financial oversight and serves as the senior executive accountable for strategic direction, fiscal stewardship, policy implementation, risk management, and effective administration to all areas of the SMSU including all personnel, year-round programming, facilities & operations, administrative support services, diversity & belonging-focused affinity centers, and the Recreation & Wellness Department (RecWell). Together, these areas serve more than 16,000 CSUSB students through programs, services, facilities, employment opportunities and student engagement experiences.

The Executive Director also provides oversight of staffing and operations to the Rancho Mirage Student Center (RMSC) located on CSUSB’s Palm Desert Campus. The RMSC offers student engagement programming, similar to that of the SMSU, to the 2,000+ students who attend the PDC.

The areas under the purview of the SMSU Executive Director employ approximately 40 managers & professional staff members and 250+ student employees.

As part of the university’s commitment to shared governance, the Executive Director also works directly with and in support of the SMSU Board of Directors. The Executive Director supports informed Board governance by preparing recommendations, timely reports, and decision materials, and by implementing Board-approved priorities in coordination with SMSU management/staff and university leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides executive leadership for policy development, strategic planning, organizational priorities, and operational alignment across SMSU, RecWell, RMSC, and related student union programs, facilities, and services. Supports student development through collaborative programming, student employment, and professional development. Additionally, he Executive Director supports student development by ensuring students are well-informed on SMSU operations, and on essential topics about which they may be asked to provide input and/or lead discussions.
• Establishes measurable goals and objectives emphasizing all department contributions to the overall campus experience and the financial health of both the organization and the University. Goals and objectives should also address student engagement, wellness, belonging, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
• Oversees and leads annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with senior divisional leadership; administers and reviews all financial plans and budgets consistent with Board-approved budget procedures, student-fee purposes, reserve planning, and university/auxiliary accounting requirements.
• Monitors financial performance, budget variances, reserve impacts, and emerging fiscal issues while keeping senior leadership team and, as appropriate, the SMSU Board of Directors and Finance & Contracts Committee abreast of the organization's financial status. Promotes audit readiness by ensuring that financial, personnel, procurement, contract, property, and operating records are complete, accurate, and retained in accordance with SMSU and CSU auxiliary requirements.
• Engages stakeholders from the executive-level, student affairs, enrollment management, academic affairs, financial services, campus auxiliaries and student body and community to develop customer-centered plans, procedures, and policies.
• Identifies and evaluates contractual, partnership, and shared service opportunities, with an emphasis on continuous process improvement to optimize spending and enhance service delivery to the University and regional community. Ensures that contracts, subleases, agreements, and related business arrangements are appropriately reviewed, documented, approved, and monitored.
• Provides executive oversight of vendor and partner relationships to ensure services, agreements, and business practices align with SMSU priorities, institutional values, applicable policies, and sound business practices.
• Coordinates capital equipment purchases; facility development and renovations; long-term facility renewal, deferred maintenance, and capital planning; and supports program initiatives.
• Provides executive oversight for internal controls, policy implementation, audit readiness, risk mitigation, records retention, and compliance with applicable federal and state laws, CSU and campus requirements, auxiliary organization standards, and SMSU policies.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, industry standards, institutional policies, CSU guidelines, and auxiliary operating guidelines.
• Supports transparent and accountable governance by ensuring major fiscal, contractual, capital, and policy matters are elevated through the appropriate management, committee, Board, and campus approval channels.
• Provides direct or indirect oversight to areas above for both the SMSU RecWell and the RMSC, including alignment of staffing, services, budgets, facilities, and student-facing programs with organizational priorities.
• Is a member of the Student Life Team, which includes all direct reports under the AVP/Dean of Students.
• Serves as an integral member of the division’s leadership and contributes to the recruitment and retention of CSUSB students.
• Participates in DSA Council, which includes all directors in the Division of Student Affairs.
• Collaborates with DSA partners and colleagues across campus to develop and deliver programs that support student development, student success, and student wellness & belonging, while maintaining alignment with SMSU mission, student-fee stewardship, and campus priorities.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Qualifications

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Educational Leadership, Student Personnel Administration, or Higher Education Administration or a related field. Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible management experience. Experience should include significant responsibility for personnel supervision, budget and fiscal management, organizational leadership, policy implementation, student-centered services, and collaboration with executive leadership and/or governing boards.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises a total of 2 directors, 2 associate directors, 5 other managers, and indirectly supervises 26 professional staff across the entire organization. Provides executive leadership for organizational structure, staffing strategy, performance expectations, professional development, succession planning, and accountability across SMSU, RecWell, and RMSC. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Also supervises an executive assistant. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Additional Skills Required

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to campus leadership, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical Inference, fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry, and /or accounting/financial analysis. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Regularly exercises discretion and independent judgment.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have advanced knowledge of MS Office, including Excel Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and the ability to use enterprise financial, reporting, and administrative systems necessary for budget review, data analysis, and organizational oversight.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Certifications Licenses & Registrations

First Aid and CPR/AED certification required (certifications may be obtained within the first month of employment).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits Include

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Cash option
• CalPERS Retirement
• CalPers 457
• Group Term Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Holidays & Personal Holiday
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Educational Assistance Benefit (based on availability of funding)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Workers' Compensation
• Unemployment Insurance
• State Disability Insurance

Statement of Commitment to Diversity

In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. In our commitment to diversity, we welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. Our commitment to work toward an environment that values diversity requires that we create, promote, and maintain activities and programs which further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values which discourage intolerance and discrimination.

The concept and dimensions of diversity are to be advanced and incorporated into every aspect of university activity, including student life, the curriculum, teaching, programs, staffing, personnel training practices, research, community services, events, and all other areas of university endeavor.

Dimensions of diversity shall include, but are not limited to, the following: race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, gender expression, ability, socioeconomic status, cultural orientation, national origin, and age.

The implementation of the Commitment to Diversity will rest with the university as a whole. The president, in addition to a personal commitment and involvement, may use the University Diversity Committee, campus administrators, faculty, staff, and students as well as other members of the campus community to implement effectively the philosophy and intent of this statement.

Supplemental Information

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered this position with Santos Manuel Student Union. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants. Fingerprinting is required for all employees that have direct contact with minors.

The Santos Manuel Student Union is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, caste, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Advertised: May 19 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

• 

• California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB)

• (909) 537-4388

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