Manager, Executive Engagement and Strategic Operations

Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Manager, Executive Engagement and Strategic Operations in the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS).

The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $120,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Arrangements

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.

Premium Benefits

Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Generous vacation plan

15 paid holidays a year

Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)

Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

More details here: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Classification

Administrator I

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Manager, Executive Engagement and Strategic Operations in the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS)to serve as the principal administrative officer and a trusted strategic partner, providing high-level operational, executive, and strategic administrative support to advance divisional priorities. As the primary point of contact for the Division Office, this position oversees the strategic management, organization, and prioritization of the DVC’s portfolio of engagements and functions as a key liaison and project manager, ensuring the effective execution of administrative responsibilities and the successful implementation of divisional initiatives. Operating in a fast-paced, highly visible environment, the Manager must demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, exercising autonomy, discretion, and independent judgement in managing highly sensitive and confidential information and projects. The Manager requires a keen awareness of leadership goals and priorities to support strategic decision-making, manage time and engagements effectively, and ensure DVC preparedness for high-impact strategic engagements.

This position fosters effective engagement across the Office of the Chancellor, the CSU Board of Trustees, CSU campuses and external partners, and requires a comprehensive understanding of the Division’s performance objectives as well as the office’s role in supporting and coordinating with these entities. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to coordinate complex senior administrative responsibilities, balance competing priorities, efficiently address emerging issues, and ensure prompt responses to inquiries to maintain effective communication. Work assignments are received in the form of general requests and require considerable initiative and independent judgment in carrying out tasks through to completion.

This position is approved for telecommuting (two days telecommuting, three days in office (in-person)) with onsite work at the main headquarters located in Long Beach, California.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success, the Manager, Executive Engagement and Strategic Operations will perform duties as outlined below:

Strategic Leadership Support:

-Provide daily executive-level administrative and professional support to the DVC, serving as a strategic partner to advance CSU priorities and ensuring seamless daily operations. Exercise foresight in identifying needs and ensuring the DVC’s time and attention are directed toward high-impact activities.

-Ensures DVC is fully briefed and optimally prepared for all engagements by developing comprehensive briefing materials, background research, and strategic context for all meetings, including the Board of Trustees, Chancellor’s Council, Executive Leadership Team, and other senior level engagements. Proactively follow-up on the status of materials and oversee effective follow-through on all action items.

-Strategically manage all elements of the DVC’s dynamic calendar, including establishing appointment priorities and evaluating engagement requests to enhance visibility and advance a strong local, state and national presence.

-Develop, schedule and maintain the master calendar for SEMSS division leadership and staff meetings. Track DVC’s direct reports’ personal and business travel absences and process approvals through the appropriate platforms.

-Plan, arrange, and oversee all aspects of the DVC’s travel, prepare and process travel approvals, claims, itineraries, reimbursements, and meeting preparation, ensuring accuracy and CSUCO policy compliance throughout each state of travel.

-Manage the maintenance and security of digital and physical records for the proper filing of SEMSS data and confidential information in accordance with the CSUCO retention policy and legal requirements.

-Uphold the highest standard of confidentiality and discretion while handling sensitive materials, such as collective bargaining documents, labor matters, personnel cases and performance evaluations.

-Serve as key member of the SEMSS support leadership team, contributing to the effective administration of office operations, coordination of division-wide meetings and events, and support the onboarding of senior CSU leaders.

-Monthly reconciliation of the department credit card (Procurement Card). Process expenditures consistent with applicable CSUCO procurement policies and procedures.

-Interpret and apply Chancellor’s Office-wide operating policies and procedures to support workflow consistency, and operational alignment across the Division.

Project & Initiatives Management

-Provide comprehensive project management functions and serve as the primary coordination point for SEMSS initiatives led by the DVC. Oversee Division project timelines, communications, and deliverables to ensure alignment with priorities.

-Design and coordinate action plans that operationalize the DVC’s strategic goals and objectives. Collaborate closely with SEMSS leadership project leads and cross functional teams to establish accountability and maintain progress toward outcomes.

-Coordinate complex workflow across multiple units and ensure project progress. Track milestones, develop guides, conduct follow-up, identify delays and proactively recommend adjustments to ensure timely completion. Prepare regular status updates, dashboards, and document progress for leadership.

-Provide analytical support by gathering qualitative and quantitative data, synthesizing findings, and prepare assessments that inform strategic planning for the DVC.

-Manage the processing and coordination of special projects, including but not limited to request for proposals, event planning, information synthesis and reporting activities,

-Serve as a strategic advisor by identifying opportunities for improvement across project areas, offer recommendations that support operational efficiency and decision-making,

-Engage with campus leadership to support the coordination of project management efforts to ensure seamless transition of system priorities into campus-based execution.

Partner with Chief of Staff:

-Serve as a resource and advisor to the Chief of Staff (CoS) on advancing the day-to-day DVC projects and priorities, ensuring operational efficiencies. Support the planning and execution of engagements and ensure they are properly sequenced, including pre-meetings and pre/post-briefings.

-Partner with CoS to ensure the DVC is fully prepared for all meetings, commitments, and decision-making activities by identifying priority issues, coordinating assignments, synthesizing key information, and anticipating follow-up needs.

-Support the CoS in managing partnerships and systemwide relationships by coordinating communication and ensuring timely and informed responses to inquiries and requests.

-Contribute to project planning by conducting research and providing insights that inform decision-making. Partner with the CoS to strengthen executive workflow systems that support a high-functioning office team.

Communications Support:

-Develop, draft, and/or edit written DVC communications, including executive correspondence, Board of Trustees materials, memos, letters, presentations, spreadsheets and summaries, many of a highly sensitive and confidential nature.

-Work collaboratively with SEMSS Communications to support the preparation and refinement of all materials produced for the DVC. Ensure quality control and approve draft documents for distribution and/or signature, in alignment with executive and systemwide expectations.

-Maintain up-to-date internal/external contact lists including listservs of trustees, campus presidents, CO leadership team, division staff, provosts/vice presidents and other constituent groups.

-Manage the SEMSS general phone line and email account by triaging inquiries, ensuring timely and appropriate responses, escalating urgent matters, and coordinating distribution of division-wide emails.

-Provide communication support to SEMSS leadership by developing messaging frameworks, templates, and standards that enhance consistency across the team. Prepare meeting minutes/summaries.

Event and Meeting Support:

-Provide support for special events and engagements led by the DVC, including developing agendas, management of meeting logistics, preparation and distribution of meeting materials. Attend on-site and off-site meetings, as needed to support continuity and effective follow-through.

-Coordinate and manage DVC meetings and systemwide convenings that require collaboration across multiple departments. Ensure that stakeholders receive meeting materials with ample time positioning them for successful participation.

-Prepare timely minutes, meeting notes, and action-item summaries. Proactively track follow-up assignments for appropriate delivery of items.

-Prepare and process meeting related documentation, including requisitions, reimbursements, business meal forms, and other inter-office documents. Ensure compliance with CSUCO Hospitality policies and procedures.

Other Duties:

-Assist with general SEMSS projects and initiatives, as requested by the DVC.

-May serve on special projects, committees, or act as department representative as needed.

-Perform other duties as assigned in support of CSU and SEMSS mission and goals.

Qualifications

This position requires:

-A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

-A minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative and professional support and project management experience for a high-level administrator.

-A minimum of two years' experience working with travel arrangements for senior leadership is required; and knowledge of CSU travel policies and procedures.

-Demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to exercise sound independent judgement, discretion, and autonomy in managing highly sensitive and confidential information, is required.

-Demonstrated ability to manage highly confidential information with the utmost discretion, integrity, and professionalism, serving as a trusted partner to the DVC.

-Ability to work independently with authority to make decisions on complex administrative matters.

-Engages proactively to identify problems before they arise and proposes well-reasoned solutions. Ability to take initiative and use sound judgment in prioritizing work, completing tasks and solving problems.

-Strong writing and communication skills required to include proofreading and proper punctuation and grammar usage.

-Ability to organize, coordinate, plan and facilitate meetings and conferences that involve the efforts of senior leadership.

-Detail oriented and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a high-paced and pressured environment with frequently shifting priorities and minimal supervision. Must have tolerance for ambiguity.

-Demonstrated resilience, diplomacy, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills in a variety of situations, including across departments and with external partners. Maintain effective and cooperative working relationships.

-Effective communication and listening skills, be able to work directly and interact professionally with a diverse group of individuals in a multicultural environment, including employees at all levels within the university system, Trustees, local and state agencies, students and CSU partners/stakeholders.

-Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other current software applications, and the ability to access and utilize the Internet is required.

Preferred Qualifications

-Experience working with student affairs issues and projects within the California State University system or a higher education environment is highly preferred.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by February 12, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

How To Apply

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy , it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA

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.

Conflict of Interest

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

Advertised: Jan 29 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

• 

• California State University (CSU) Chancellor's Office

• (562) 951-4070

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