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$26.2K

$82.4K

$137.7K

How much do student director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for student director in California is $82,440.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,700.00 and $98,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a student director?

Student Directors are student leaders who oversee, manage, and coordinate specific programs, organizations, or departments within a school or university. Their responsibilities often include supervising teams, organizing events, communicating with faculty and administration, and representing the student body in various capacities. This role helps students develop valuable leadership, organizational, and communication skills, while also contributing positively to their campus community. Student Directors are typically selected through an application or election process and may serve for a semester or academic year.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a student director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Student Director, you need strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, often supported by experience in student organizations or project management. Familiarity with event planning software, collaborative platforms like Google Workspace, and basic budgeting tools is typically useful. Exceptional interpersonal skills, adaptability, and conflict resolution abilities help a Student Director effectively guide teams and foster a positive environment. These skills are crucial for successfully coordinating initiatives, motivating peers, and ensuring smooth operations within student-led projects or organizations.

What are some common challenges faced by a student director, and how can they be addressed?

Student Directors often navigate the challenge of balancing their leadership responsibilities with academic commitments and personal life. Managing a diverse team of peers, some of whom may be friends, can also present unique challenges in terms of maintaining professionalism and authority. To address these challenges, effective time management, clear communication, and setting boundaries are essential. Seeking mentorship from faculty advisors and leveraging organizational tools can also help Student Directors fulfill their role successfully while fostering a positive team environment.

What is the difference between Student Director vs Student Coordinator?

AspectStudent Director
Required CredentialsTypically requires leadership experience, relevant coursework, or student organization involvement
Work EnvironmentCampus settings, student organizations, event planning
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, student government
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership roles in student activities

While both roles involve student leadership, a Student Director usually holds a higher level of responsibility, overseeing projects or teams, whereas a Student Coordinator focuses on executing specific tasks within student programs. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths in student leadership and event management within educational institutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Student jobs in California?

The most popular types of Student jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Student Director jobs in California?

For Student Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Student Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Student Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Student Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Student Director job openings:

Student Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Student Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,440 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Assistant Director, Student Union Programming

SJSU Student Union

San Jose, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Position Overview
The Student Union, Inc. is 501(c)(3) nonprofit auxiliary that maintains three major facilities at San Jose State University in downtown San Jose, California. These facilities include the Diaz Compean Student Union Building, the Provident Credit Union Event Center, and the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center. The Student Union, Inc. functions as part of the Student Affairs Division on campus, and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of a student majority, faculty, and administrators.
Mission
The Student Union, Inc. of San Jose State University supports the development, growth, and well-being of students and the campus community by providing diverse programs, desired services, and quality facilities to enhance the collegiate experience.  
Job Summary
The Assistant Director, Student Union Programming is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing high quality Student Union weekly programs and large-scale annual events, develops and sustains strong partnerships and collaboration with campus departments on shared programs; creates and manages the annual department budget, conducts program assessments, manage and prepare risk and contract management for events, vendors, and promoters. This position manages the Student Union Information Center for effective communication and shared campus wide services and resources. The Manager will demonstrate an openness to connect with students and engage campus/community partners to support diverse, equitable, and inclusive student engagement opportunities. The position reports to, and receives general supervision and direction from the Director of the Events Center.

Essential Functions and Tasks
  • Ability to direct department goals and objectives, facilitate innovation and change in new and existing programs to meet the needs of Student Union mission, campus culture, and foster student engagement.
  • Plan and coordinate multiple and complex Student Union events and programs including comedy, annual SpartanFest and other concerts, performing arts, multicultural programs, movie nights, and other special events.
  • Develops and maintains the annual budget for the department, including preliminary event expense budget and end-of-event settlements.
  • Oversees the ongoing evaluation of all event programs, including completing participant evaluations, focus groups, informal discussion, and written program surveys for a learning outcome, and value to the student or campus community.
  • Negotiate contracts on behalf of the Student Union, Inc. and ensures contracts and required insurance are executed with vendors, performers, and sponsor in accordance with Student Union and SJSU policies.
  • Responsible for the training, supervision and evaluation of two full-time program and event Coordinators and SU event and information center student assistants. Oversight of employee training, scheduling, payroll, supervision of work performance.  
  • Develops and sustains strategic partnerships and collaborations with other departments in the division, as well as academics, athletics, alumni and parent programs, and operations and planning (Greek Organizations, Associated Students, Residence Hall Council, and Student Involvement) to develop, plan, market, and produce a variety of events. 
  • Serves on SJSU campus-wide committees and coordinate SU participation in campus wide programs, including but not limited to the Homecoming, Admitted Spartans Day, Orientation sessions, Weeks of Welcome. In addition, support volunteer planning committees and host teams in support of events, participating in regular committee meetings. 
  • Works with SUI Student Success and Assessment team to ensures learning outcomes are developed annually for the student staff; and conducts program and event assessments to ensure department goals and objectives are met.
  • Works with the Associate Executive Director on risk management and emergency procedures, safety practices and risk management procedures and ensure all activities are conducted in accordance to Student Union, SJSU and CSU risk management policies for programs and events.
  • Works with SUI Marketing department to support the promotion of programs and events through the SU programs and Events web-site, digital platforms, social media, and flyers. 
  • Works with SUI Student Success and Assessment team to ensures learning outcomes are developed and assessed annually for the student staff.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree and three years of professional experience in management personnel, weekly programs and major special events on a college or university campus.
  • Current CPR/First Aid and AED certifications required or must be obtained within the first month of employment
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree and 3-5 years of experience in college union and/or activities and event planning. 
  • Demonstrated experience in within university community, including student unions, student activities, and residence life, campus life.
  • Experience in a large, non-profit corporation.
  • Demonstrated ability to articulate the role campus life plays in recruitment, student success, retention, and graduation, and a commitment to college student development and student leadership.
  • Involvement in professional societies and organizations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
  • Demonstrated high level of confidence in making strategic decisions, good judgment, and innovative and creative problem-solving skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate, organize and prioritize projects with attention to detail.
  • Outstanding organization and communication in both written and verbal skills and the ability to work collaboratively and strategically with a broad spectrum of contributing groups and administrative units throughout campus.
  • Demonstrated experience in planning and effectively executing events.
  • Experience negotiating contracts and pricing with vendors.
  • Demonstrated supervisory or management experience including selecting, training, coordinating, evaluating, and supervising full-time and student employees with a commitment to professional and student development core competencies.
  • Ability to compile, prepare, prepare department program assessment and annual reports and present to the SU Board of Directors. 
  • Knowledge of safety procedures and protocols including risk management practices and procedures, and a comprehensive approach to program and event oversight.
  • Ability to work evening and weekend hours. 
  • Willingness to support the Mission and Core Values of the Student Union corporation.
  • Experience in computer applications such as: Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, etc.) Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Physical Demands and Work Environment
  • The position works in a wide variety of environments including both a typical office as well as an outdoors and indoor facility program-oriented environment.  
  • The physical demands of this position are described below 
    • Sitting, walking, twisting, bending, climbing, pulling, pushing, squatting, crawling, kneeling, balancing, reaching, and coordination (eye, hand, foot). 
    • Fall (Slip, Trip) Conditions that result in falls (impacts) from height or traditional walking and playing surfaces.  
    • Weather Phenomena (Snow/Rain/Wind/Ice)  
    • Lifting and Carrying, frequently 10-25lbs, occasionally 26-50lbs. 
  • In general, the position works a schedule based on business needs 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, may work evenings and weekends as required
BENEFITS
This position is employed through Student Union at San Jose State University which offers an excellent benefits package including Medical, Dental & Vision insurance (fully paid on selected packages by the company for the employee and dependents), Life and Supplemental Insurance, Vacation, Sick Leave, paid Holidays, 403(b) retirement program, tuition reimbursement, employee development opportunities and more.
Post-Employment Benefits: The Student Union, Inc. provides lifetime retiree medical and dental coverage to eligible employees and their dependents who retire at the age of 55 and have 5 or more years of employment with the Student Union, Inc.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
The Student Union of San Jose State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. The Student Union and SJSU have a firm and unambiguous commitment to the active elimination of discrimination, and the affirmative recruitment of a diverse, multi-racial community of students, faculty and staff.
Background Check and Fingerprinting
Student Union employees are required to undergo and complete a successful background check that includes verification of employment and education, as well as a check of criminal records for employment. Candidates for positions where the employee will come in regular contact with minors and cash management will be required to be fingerprinted. This policy includes emergency hires and may also be applicable to volunteers depending on the work performed.
In some cases, the background check will include a credit check and/or a Department of Motor Vehicles check, as well as a check of licenses and certificates when applicable. All background checks are conducted through the Student Union third-party vendor, Accurate Background.
California State University (CSU) Learning & Development
Within the first month, all employees are required to complete the following compliance online training sessions through CSULearn, the University's employee training platform. Employees will be enrolled in the training soon after their appointment is processed and will be notified via email from CSULearn@sjsu.edu.
  1. Injury and Illness Prevention Program
  2. Discrimination and Harassment for Supervisors/Non-Supervisors
  3. Gender Equity and Title IX Prevention Program (Title IX)
  4. Data Security and FERPA
  5. Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse
California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
All Student Union at San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

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