Telecommute Portfolio Strategist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job no: 561153
Work type: Staff
Location: San Diego
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

Position Summary

San Diego State University’s Information Technology Division is seeking an experienced Administrative Analyst/Specialist III to help lead complex business operations and strategic initiatives across the division. This senior-level role combines business operations, financial and cost recovery administration, project portfolio management, and process improvement to strengthen how IT resources, projects, and services are managed.

This position will serve as a key advisor and functional lead, translating complex operational and financial information into practical solutions, improving division-wide processes, and providing leadership with the insights needed to make informed decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Operations & Strategic Analysis
  • Lead complex division-wide business operations supporting financial management, procurement, reporting, and organizational effectiveness.
  • Analyze operational, financial, and organizational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities and provide strategic recommendations to leadership.
  • Develop and improve policies, procedures, workflows, and business practices that strengthen efficiency, compliance, and accountability.
  • Provide functional leadership and coordinate priorities and workflows across administrative and operational functions.
• Lead project portfolio governance, reporting standards, metrics, and coordination across the Information Technology Division.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and executive-level analyses that provide visibility into projects, resources, risks, and operational priorities.
• Partner with technical and administrative teams to strengthen project tracking, communication, and accountability.
• Identify operational barriers and resource constraints and lead improvements that support successful division-wide initiatives.
• Financial & Cost Recovery Operations
  • Serve as the division’s subject matter expert for IT cost recovery, including billing methodologies, financial models, reporting, and business practices.
  • Coordinate billing and cost recovery activities across multiple services, funding sources, and campus stakeholders.
  • Analyze financial and service data, identify discrepancies and trends, and develop forecasts and reports to support decision-making.
  • Interpret CSU, campus, auxiliary, and financial requirements and translate them into effective operational practices.
• Process Improvement & Collaboration
  • Lead business process improvement initiatives through workflow analysis, systems evaluation, and operational redesign.
  • Collaborate with IT teams, campus departments, auxiliary organizations, and administrative partners on complex cross-functional initiatives.
  • Develop operational documentation, procedures, reporting tools, and training resources.

Why Join Us?

• Influence IT operations at scale - Help shape business practices and operational strategies that support technology services across SDSU.
• Turn insight into action - Use financial, operational, and project data to solve problems and inform leadership decisions.
• Lead meaningful improvements - Drive process, reporting, and workflow enhancements with impact across multiple IT functions.
• Work across the organization - Collaborate with technical teams, business professionals, campus partners, and leadership on complex initiatives that support the university.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU .

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), bnefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated as 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.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 3 days per week, with onsite work in San Diego.

Department Summary

Business Operations & Project Management (BOPM), a department within the Information Technology Division (ITD), supports the division’s mission through coordination of financial, administrative, operational, and project portfolio management functions.

BOPM oversees division-wide business operations including financial management, cost recovery administration, procurement coordination, budget administration, resource management, software renewals, operational reporting, and administrative support services for IT leadership, staff, and student employees.

In addition, BOPM supports coordination of project and portfolio management activities across the IT Division to improve visibility, operational alignment, communication, reporting consistency, and resource coordination across divisional initiatives.

The department develops and maintains operational procedures, reporting practices, administrative processes, and coordination frameworks that support effective business operations, compliance, accountability, and consistency across the division.

For more information regarding the Business Operations & Project Management (BOPM) within the Information Technology Division (ITD), click here .

Education and Experience

Entry to this classification requires general knowledge and skills in the applicable administrative and/or program field with a foundational knowledge of public administration principles, practices, and methods. This foundation would normally be obtained through a bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in business operations, financial administration, cost recovery, project portfolio management, administrative operations, organizational analysis, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team of professional staff through functional leadership and lead work direction, including establishing priorities, coordinating assignments and workloads, providing guidance and training, monitoring deliverables, and fostering accountability and effective team performance.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading complex administrative and operational programs involving multiple functional areas, stakeholders, funding sources, priorities, and business requirements.
• Experience leading or administering complex cost recovery and financial operations, including billing processes, financial analysis and reporting, operational controls, and development of related business practices, procedures, and methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading project portfolio management and governance activities, including project tracking, portfolio reporting, operational metrics, resource coordination, risk identification, and cross-functional coordination involving technical and administrative teams.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and integrate complex financial, operational, project, and organizational information to identify trends, risks, resource impacts, process gaps, and strategic opportunities and develop actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading business process improvement and organizational effectiveness initiatives, including development and implementation of operational procedures, governance practices, reporting standards, workflows, and cross-functional solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex financial, administrative, institutional, and regulatory requirements and exercise sound independent judgment in resolving complex operational issues.
• Experience serving as a trusted advisor to leadership, providing strategic guidance and developing executive-level analyses, dashboards, reports, presentations, and recommendations that support organizational planning, operational effectiveness, and decision-making.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, communication, consultation, and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, influence diverse stakeholders, and build consensus across functional and organizational boundaries.
• Experience utilizing enterprise financial, operational, reporting, procurement, and project management systems such as Oracle, ServiceNow, Adaptive, Concur, or similar platforms, with proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools.
• Experience working in the California State University system, public higher education, or another large, complex public‑sector environment is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience, in alignment with the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 10 ($7,627).
• Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,382 – $9,297 per month (Step 1 – Step 20).
• Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

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.

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.

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

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 Execu