San Diego State University - Keeling & Associates

San Diego State University
Executive Director of Student Health Services

The Opportunity

San Diego State University (SDSU) is seeking a dynamic, student-centered, visionary, and innovative 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 more than 40,000. 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 planning, organizing, directing and coordinating all aspects of Student Health Services (SHS), with a focus on ensuring quality medical care, oversight of clinical services, 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; support staff development; manage budgets, personnel, and internal resources; and guide the overall direction of SHS.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience and familiarity with college 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, strategic planning experience, and a solid understanding of complex organizations and the principles of organizational sustainability, including budget and human resource management.

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.

About San Diego State University

Since its founding in 1897, the university has grown to become a leading public research university, and a federally-designated Hispanic-serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. Each year, SDSU provides more than 39,000 students with the opportunity to participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an international emphasis that prepares them for a global future.

In 2024, the university celebrated the milestone of reaching 500,000 alumni with the spring graduating class and, in 2025, was officially classified as an R1 research institution, the highest distinction given to doctoral universities in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego, uniquely situated only 30 minutes north of the U.S.-Mexico border on Kumeyaay land. The community is fully committed to excellent teaching, meaningful research and service to the regional community and others they serve throughout the state, across the nation and internationally.

SDSU has an incredible past, and a powerful future ahead, marked by:

A five-year strategic plan, “We Rise We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives,” launched in 2020, and planning for the second phase began for 2025-2030.
The development of SDSU Mission Valley, a mixed-use, medium-density development that is transit-oriented and that will expand the university’s educational, research, entrepreneurial, and technology transfer programs.
The expansion of the border-connected SDSU Imperial Valley, which has been infused with new investments to introduce new programs and student services.
The growth of SDSU Global Campus, which is growing educational access to adult learners through the creation of new degree programs.
Campus diversity is their pride. SDSU is recognized for its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. About 54 percent of students are of color, the university recognized for our military

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

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 a 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.
Maintain a commitment to create new and improve all programs and services as needed.
Serve as the Department HIPAA Privacy Officer responsible for assessment, implementation, and maintenance of department compliance and reporting violations.

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, including overseeing attendance, accountability, and professional development.
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.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of daily clinic operations through direct and ongoing work with the Medical Director, enabling effective collaboration with clinical personnel.
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

Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications (in addition to above)

Terminal degree in a related field.
Direct experience within a healthcare setting with oversight for the day to day management and administration of the organization. Clear understanding and insights of the clinical practice(s) and previous experience working and collaborating directly with a medical director or an equivalent role.
Knowledge of higher education 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

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.

Application Process

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 Jennifer Dickson, jsmdickson@keelingassociates.com. A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the appointment is made. All materials submitted by March 9, 2026, will be given full consideration.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.