Associate Director of Academic Planning

About the role

The Associate Director for Academic Planning provides advanced professional expertise, coordination, and analytical support for university-wide academic, enrollment, financial, and space-planning initiatives. They will be working collaboratively with academic and administrative leaders, developing data-informed analyses, recommendations, and planning strategies that support institutional priorities, resource stewardship, and student success.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate complex academic planning initiatives with broad institutional impact, ensuring alignment with university strategic priorities, CSU system goals, and emerging higher education trends.

• Facilitate executive-level planning discussions, committees, task forces, and cross-functional working groups; develop frameworks, recommendations, and decision-support materials to advance institutional priorities.

• Develop, implement, and provide continuous improvement of institutional performance monitoring systems, dashboards, and reporting tools that support academic planning, enrollment management, resource allocation, financial planning, and strategic initiatives.

• Design, maintain, and refine the university Enrollment Model in collaboration with Institutional Research & Analytics, Enrollment Services, and the Enrollment Technical Committee to support enrollment forecasting and planning.

• Lead and conduct research on emerging trends, best practices, and policy developments in higher education, enrollment management, academic affairs, financial planning, and resource allocation to inform institutional decision-making.

• Create and deliver high-impact presentations, data visualizations, and communication materials for executive meetings, campus forums, CSU system initiatives, accreditation activities, and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and five years of related experience required. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Business, Data Analytics, or related field is strongly preferred. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, institutional research, academic planning, enrollment management, or related analytical field. Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with broad organizational impact.

Qualifications

This position is a strategic and highly analytical higher education professional with experience leading complex, university-wide academic planning initiatives that support institutional priorities, enrollment management, resource allocation, and long-term strategic goals. They possess the ability to coordinate cross-functional projects, facilitate executive-level committees and working groups, and develop data-informed recommendations that guide senior leadership decision-making. They are skilled in institutional research, performance monitoring, forecasting, and strategic reporting, they can interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data, develop predictive models, and communicate findings through compelling reports, dashboards, presentations, and data visualizations. The ideal candidate demonstrates sound judgment, political acumen, and discretion when managing sensitive information, while effectively collaborating with campus leaders, governance groups, and external stakeholders. They stay informed of emerging higher education trends, policies, and best practices, ensuring institutional planning efforts remain innovative, compliant, and aligned with university and CSU system objectives. Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Skills

The ideal candidate possesses the following skills: ability to coordinate cross-functional projects, facilitate executive-level committees and working groups, develop data-informed recommendations, lead research on emerging trends, best practices, and policy developments, create high-impact presentations, data visualizations, and communication materials, interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data, develop predictive models, and communicate findings through compelling reports, dashboards, presentations, and data visualizations. Sound judgment, political acumen, and discretion when managing sensitive information, effective collaboration with campus leaders, governance groups, and external stakeholders, staying informed of emerging higher education trends, policies, and best practices, ensuring institutional planning efforts remain innovative, compliant, and aligned with university and CSU system objectives, ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community, ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures, ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Benefits

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being. To Be Eligible For Full Benefits, Employees Must Be Appointed At Least Half-time (.50 FTE) With An Appointment Lasting More Than Six Months And One Day. Benefits Eligibility And Offerings May Vary Based On Appointment Type, Classification, And Applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. Eligible Employees May Have Access To a Comprehensive Benefits Package That Can Include: Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual. Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans. Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans. Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families. Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance. Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details specific to their position. Additionally, the CSU Total Compensation Calculator is available to help prospective employees understand the full value of the CSU benefits package and how it complements base salary.

Pay

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources. Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $6,382 (Step 1) - $7,627 (Step 10) per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training. CSU Classification Salary Range: The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $6,382 (Step 1) - $9,927 (Step 20) per month.

Schedule

Time Base: 1.0 time-base, 40 hours per week.