Graduate Program Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position: Dean, Graduate Studies, Division of Academic Affairs 
Effective Date: On or about July 1, 2026 
Classification: Administrator IV
Salary Range: The anticipated hiring range is $188,004.00 -$198,000.00/per year. Salary offered is commensurate with qualifications and experience. 
Reports To: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs 
Application: Review and priority consideration of application to begin March 3, 2026. Position open until filled (or recruitment canceled).

California State University, Long Beach
Division of Academic Affairs

The Dean of Graduate Studies, reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, serves as the chief academic officer for graduate education at CSULB. They champion the importance of the graduate education mission of the University. They are the representative and leader in all aspects of university graduate academic matters, collaborating with Colleges and Departments on academic program development and assessment, enrollment, retention, time-to-degree, financial support for graduate students, and graduate student success programs that fit graduate student needs. They are a visionary in ensuring graduate excellence at the Beach. The Dean of Graduate Studies provides leadership and coordination in their collaboration with College Deans, Program Directors, Graduate Advisors, Graduate Coordinators, Department Chairs/School Directors, faculty, and CSULB governing bodies (i.e., Academic Senate and Chancellor's Office) to grow, develop, and support CSULB graduate programs and its graduate student body.  As a member of the Provost's Leadership Team, the Dean works with the President, Provost, and Senior Administrators to accomplish the Office and University goals and promote a graduate education at CSULB that leads to upward mobility and the opportunity for advancement to fulfill workforce demands, create, innovate, and serve the public good. The Dean of Graduate Studies also serves on the Provost's Deans' Council, Senior Leadership Team, CSU Council of Graduate Deans, Academic Senate, the Senate's Curriculum and Educational Policy Council, the Graduate Studies Advisory Committee, the Institutional Review Board, and the Advisory Council for Strategic Enrollment Management.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in any academic field. Appropriate terminal degree, with successful university teaching experience, service, and a record of scholarly/creative activity suitable for a tenured, full professor faculty appointment in one of the disciplines of the University.
• Experience as a graduate program advisor or academic advising at the department level or higher.
• Ability to build relations within the university community, as well as with public, private, and government organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence. A strong commitment to excellence in innovation in student learning, including demonstrated success and/or expertise in educating a diverse student population.
• Exemplary demonstrated quantitative, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to lead in a dynamic, cross-disciplinary environment through consultative decision making.
• Experience with research, scholarly, and creative opportunities in graduate studies.
• Demonstrated success in external fundraising and other resources and development activities. Experience showcasing student achievements.
• Experience with accreditation, assessments, and policy development.
• Experience with new graduate programs and certificate development.
• Demonstrated success in administrative leadership and rising levels of responsibility, including management of fiscal resources.
• Experience advocating for the central importance of graduate education in the CSU or similar institutions and its role in society and as a driver of the regional economy and the collective good.
• Demonstrated strong administrative and management skills, including the ability to successfully plan and implement strategic initiatives and to inspire, motivate, develop, and mentor staff.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Vision

• Provides recommendations to the Provost and Vice Provosts for Academic Affairs and campus leadership for improving graduate education, graduate programs, and graduate student success.
• Works collaboratively with the Provost, AVP for ORED, AVP for CIE, VP for URD, VP for Student Affairs, AVP of Admissions and Enrollment Management, AVP of Enrollment Services, the University Registrar, Office of Institutional Research and Analytics, College Deans, CPaCE, and other Senior Administrators to achieve university goals.
• Collaborates with the Provost and Leadership of all Colleges and CPaCE to support enrollment goals and processes for new and continuing graduate academic programs.
• Collaborates with the AVP of Admissions and Enrollment Management, College Deans, and Graduate and Program Advisors on outreach, marketing, and creating a pipeline to graduate education.
• Recommends a structure and vision for the Office of Graduate Studies that supports and grows the graduate enterprise (master's, doctoral, and other post-baccalaureate interests).
• Advocates and represents the campus voice for all graduate matters at CSULB. Represents Graduate Studies in campus initiatives, such as strategic planning and relevant reports/reviews. Represents CSULB graduate programs at CO meetings and initiatives; serve as a liaison to the CO for graduate programs. Represents CSULB graduate programs in the community, through service in the profession, county, region, or state.
• Supports shared governance and collaborative decision-making, demonstrating effectiveness in a collective bargaining environment.
• Collaborates with University Relations and Development in fundraising activities for graduate students. Collaborates with the Alumni Office to grow the graduate alumni network.

Graduate Student Success

• Creates an academic community in which all graduate learners can succeed in an atmosphere of respect for all, modeling equity and inclusive excellence. Analyzes student data to make recommendations for improvements to programs and resources to support, and advance retention efforts removing administrative barriers.
• Leads and advances graduate student support services (i.e., workshops, orientation, and writing support). Administers the Graduate Student Entrance, Exit, and Alumni surveys to assess graduate student experiences, impacts, and opportunities for enhancements. Collaborates with Graduate Center.
• Develops and advances graduate student support mechanisms in the form of assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships. Facilitates the publication of graduate student projects, theses, and dissertations.
• Provides graduate student research and leadership opportunities, including CSU Student Research Competition, Grad Slam, Writing Retreats, and other available and emerging programs.
• Manages processes, including degree conferral, and planning for numerous awards, scholarships, and campus events that rewards and celebrates graduate students and their faculty, including Graduate Equity Fellowship, Graduate Travel Fellowship, Outstanding Grad Student in RSCA and Graduate Dean's List.

Graduate Curriculum, Policy, and Assessment

• Partners with the CO on CSU curricular initiatives relevant to Graduate Studies.
• Provides leadership for all aspects of graduate curriculum development including, new graduate degree programs, doctoral programs, concentrations, certificates, credentials, and Beach EDGE programs, Special Session courses.
• Oversees annual assessment of the Graduate Studies office, including the Thesis and Dissertation Office and the Graduate Center, using the university assessment framework to ensure specific goals are met.
• Participates in graduate program reviews to provide guidance and recommendations to department and college representatives for program improvement, learning outcomes, and aligning with WSCUC standards.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with graduate alumni/ae, industry, and the community.
• Provides direction and support to graduate program advisors and faculty and staff to assure graduate education and graduate student success and goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices are consistent with and contribute to the college and university goals and strategies.

Advising, Policies, and Compliance

• Establishes evaluation processes and admissions policies for graduate applications (i.e., standards, current approaches, campus policies).
• Guides campus community on graduate policies; ensures campus meets state requirements under Title 5 and complies with all Chancellor's Office guidance.
• Guides college deans regarding managing graduate programs; ensuring adequate advising and disciplinary opportunities for graduate students.
• Reviews graduate student policy exceptions (validation, course substitutions, admissions exceptions), leaves of absences, and catastrophic withdrawals.
• Partners with college/departments to discuss and resolve graduate student issues.
• Manages academic notice, disqualification appeals process, admissions appeals process, exceptions in appeals process, and makes final determinations for appeals.
• Mentors graduate advisors with training, best practices, professional development, and guidance.
• Develops effective programming of events to support and connect the graduate advisor community.

Operations and Resource Management

• Effectively leads a team of the Office of Graduate Studies in a model of continuous development and improvement. Develops, communicates, and maintains guidelines and procedures to support the office's functions.
• Hires, evaluates, mentors, and supervises Graduate Studies Office staff (administrative assistant and data analyst), Graduate Center staff, Thesis and Dissertation Office staff, the Faculty Director for Graduate Studies, and student assistants.
• Manages the budget and philanthropic accounts for the Graduate Studies unit.
• Develops and recommends annual budget and enrollment practices to support graduate education.
• Other duties as assigned

CSULB seeks to recruit administrators and faculty who enthusiastically support the University's strong commitment to the academic success of all our students, including students of color, students with disabilities, students who are first generation to college, veterans, students with diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions.CSULB seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the People of California, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students a rich variety of expertise, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Information on the excellent benefits package available to CSULB is located here: CSU Employee Benefits

How to Apply - Required Documentation:                                 

• Letter of application addressing the required and preferred qualifications
• CV (curriculum vitae)/Resume
• Names and contact information for three to five references (to be contacted for verbal references should you reach the finalist stage) Note: On-Campus applicants (at least one reference from external referent).

How to Apply: Click Apply Now icon to complete the CSULB online application

Requests for information should be addressed to:

California State University, Long Beach
Division of Academic Affairs
Attn: Dr. Patricia A. Perez, AVP for Faculty Affairs
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840

E-Mail: FA-AdminSearch@csulb.edu or 562-985- 5212

If you have any questions or if you have a disability and need accommodation with pre-employment processes (applications, interviews, etc.), please email FA-AdminSearch@csulb.edu.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

A background check (including a criminal records check and telephone reference check with most recent employer) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

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 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

Pursuant to the CSU Out of State Employment Policy, hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California is prohibited effective January 1, 2022. By prohibiting employment outside of California, the CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States. Exceptions to the Policy are limited to approved and documented purposes for conducting CSU business outside of California.

All employees who assign and/or oversee work are responsible for ensuring that compliant work controls and procedures consistent with Federal, State and local regulations and University policies are implemented and maintained to provide for the protection of individuals and to safeguard the environment. Everyone is expected to comply with applicable Environmental Health and Safety regulations and University policies, programs and procedures. For more information, the systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/18172024/latest/ and questions may be sent to Environmental_Health_Safety@csulb.edu.

The CSU strongly recommends that all indiv...