Product Solutions Specialist

SDSU Research Foundation; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 67,026 - 72,651; Full time

Job summary

SDSU Research Foundation is seeking a Product Solutions Specialist to lead the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of Academy product solutions. You will manage a portfolio of technology projects, coordinating with Academy staff and external vendors to drive value.

The role requires a CA-based, hybrid work arrangement and frequent collaboration across teams to ensure governance, data quality, and successful training initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, educational technology, communications, or related field.
• Two years of progressively responsible work experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of Academy product solutions.
• Manage technology projects through lifecycle and coordinate vendor demos.
• Define minimum business requirements and governance, develop data quality procedures.
• Provide training plans and ongoing resources for staff and partners.
• Define and manage vendor SLAs and support with the product team.

Skills

CRM systems

APIs

JavaScript

C++

Python

Deluge

SQL

NoSQL

HTML basics

CSS basics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, educational technology, communications, or related field

Tools

Zoho One

Job description

Overview

This position is open until filled, with an initial application review scheduled for July 27, 2026.

Salary

The starting salary range is $6,006.00 – $6,510.00 per month, depending on qualifications. This rate is non‑negotiable.

About the Academy

The Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of San Diego State University School of Social Work, was established in 1996 to revolutionize how professionals work to promote a healthier world. It delivers approximately 50,000 learning experiences annually to health, human services, and justice system professionals, supporting workforce development across Southern California and beyond. With seven programs, three divisions, and over 100 staff, the Academy’s mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Product & Web Solutions Supervisor, the Product Solutions Specialist participates in the strategic work on Academy products and systems, manages partnerships across the Academy, and supports technical solution needs related to product development, implementation, policy and procedural governance, training, and vendor liaison.

Specific Duties

• 40‑hour per week hybrid position with remote flexibility, typically Monday‑Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; based on contract funding with annual renewal. May require intermittent overnight travel and work outside normal hours, including weekends and evenings.
• Must reside in California and commute from Riverside or San Diego office for on‑site work.
• Exposure to sensitive or traumatic topics may occur.

Product Solutions Development and Implementation (65%)

• Initiate and lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of all Academy product solutions.
• Manage a portfolio of technology solution projects throughout the acquisition and implementation lifecycle.
• Review all incoming technology requests:
  • New technology platform requests.
  • Existing technology enhancement requests.
  • Consult with Academy staff to assess requests and recommend solutions.
  • Maintain a catalogue of available technology tools and provide guidance on appropriate use.
• Participate in technology acquisition:
• Define minimum and preferred business requirements.
• Create vendor evaluation forms.
• Meet with potential vendors for product demonstrations.
• Review vendor solutions and support decisions.
• Implementation support:
• Make project scoping and prioritization recommendations.
• Partner with Academy staff to determine team members and roles.
• Develop plans to ensure sustainable business operations from product solutions.

Product Administration Support (30%)

• Policy and procedural governance:
• Lead product system administration policies and procedures.
• Guide Academy teams on operational policies and procedures for business product solutions.
• Develop and monitor data quality assurance and cleaning procedures.
• Training and development:
• Create and lead training plans during implementation.
• Produce ongoing resources for Academy staff and external partners.
• Ongoing operational support:
• Define and manage vendor support Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Lead efforts to manage vendor product support with the product support team and liaison with vendor support to ensure SLA performance.
• Provide high‑level vendor support when needed.

Other Duties (5%)

• Perform additional duties as assigned in the best interests of the Academy.
• Travel to off‑site locations for Academy and program meetings (primarily Riverside and San Diego).

Qualifications & Special Skills

Knowledge and Abilities

• Team orientation and strong interpersonal skills.
• Effective interpersonal interactions at all organizational levels.
• Understanding and adherence to posted work rules and procedures.
• Strong motivation and organizational skills, meeting deadlines and exercising good judgment and critical thinking.
• High level of cross‑cultural sensitivity.
• Fundamental written and oral communication skills in English.
• Basic technical knowledge: information systems, application packages, software application packages, equipment platforms, reference databases, networks, data communication, and multimedia systems.
• Ability to articulate product benefits, link metrics to business goals, balance objectives with customer needs, identify opportunities, create efficient solutions, develop and communicate policies and procedures, and communicate effectively with co‑workers, clients, and study participants.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, educational technology, communications, or related field, or similar certified coursework.
• Two years of progressively responsible work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing and developing solutions for a CRM or database management system used for business process solutions.
• Administrator‑level experience with Zoho One.
• Experience with programming languages such as JavaScript, C++, Python, Deluge, SQL, or NoSQL.
• Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS for web structure, styling, and front‑end support.
• Experience developing and maintaining APIs and integration solutions.
• Expertise in technical policies for data management, data quality assurance, and cleanup.
• Expertise in developing reporting solutions for external partners.

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and be within commuting distance of Sacramento. (If location description changes, adjust accordingly.)
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory background check results.
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal‑opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications. The Foundation complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti‑discrimination laws.