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.

What You’ll Do: Lead, Connect, and Innovate Student Health

Lead a Comprehensive, Student-Centered Health System

Provide overall vision and direction for Student Health Services, ensuring high-quality, accessible, and culturally responsive medical care. Guide strategic planning, policy development, and organizational sustainability while maintaining compliance with accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in college health. Continuously assess and adapt services to meet evolving student and institutional needs.

Strengthen Campus and Community Partnerships

Serve as SDSU’s senior health leader and public health subject matter expert. Collaborate with campus partners, including Athletics, Student Affairs, Risk Management, and Strategic Communications-and maintain strong relationships with local, county, and state health agencies. Act as a trusted advisor to university leadership and a visible representative and spokesperson for health-related matters, particularly during public health situations and emergencies.

Advance Holistic and Integrated Care

Champion innovative approaches to student health that support medical care, prevention, education, and overall well-being. Collaborate closely with Counseling and Psychological Services and Well-being & Health Promotion to advance an integrated, student-centered model of care. Ensure ethical practice, data privacy, and HIPAA compliance across all programs and services.

Empower and Develop a High-Impact Team

Lead and support a multidisciplinary team of clinical, administrative, and management professionals. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented culture that values professional development, accountability, and excellence in service delivery. Work in close partnership with the Medical Director to ensure effective clinic operations and strong alignment between administrative and clinical leadership.

Steward Resources and Build for the Future

Oversee financial, human, and physical resources to ensure responsible budgeting, staffing alignment, and long-term sustainability. Identify opportunities for revenue generation, external partnerships, and philanthropic support. Position Student Health Services to adapt and thrive in a complex and evolving higher education and healthcare environment.

Who You Are

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic health professional with demonstrated leadership experience in college health, student affairs, or a complex healthcare environment. You bring strong financial and administrative acumen, experience leading multidisciplinary teams, and the ability to navigate complex organizations with diplomacy and integrity.

You are deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and cultural humility, and you excel at building trust and partnerships with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and community stakeholders. You communicate effectively, lead with vision and empathy, and are energized by advancing student health, well-being, and success.

Why SDSU

SDSU is a nationally recognized public research university committed to student success, academic excellence, and community engagement. Student Health Services plays a vital role in supporting students’ personal, academic, and professional journeys, and the Executive Director has the opportunity to shape the future of student health at a dynamic and diverse institution.

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, orthopedics, and psychiatry. 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 master’s degree in health care administration, public health, educational health administration, or a related field AND a minimum of five years of professional 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, resourcefulness, and communication in carrying out assigned areas of responsibility.
• Experience working with individuals of diverse educational, 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

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 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.

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: Feb 02 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: