Project Coordinator (Temporary)

CSU; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University is seeking a Project Coordinator to support high-priority initiatives of the Office of the President by coordinating visible, time-sensitive projects that advance institutional priorities and engage campus and community partners.

The role provides executive-level project management, liaison across SJSU and external organizations, and collaboration with government agencies, industry partners, and faculty.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training.
• Two years of administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and evaluation.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate presidential priority initiatives and partnerships.
• Lead discovery sessions and value stream workshops with campus stakeholders.
• Track timelines, deliverables, decisions and actions across divisions.
• Prepare briefing materials and executive summaries for senior leadership.
• Develop SOPs, guides, and training toolkits for campus units.

Skills

Executive-level coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Strong written and verbal comms

Google Workspace proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent training

Tools

Google Workspace

MS Office

Job description

Job Summary

*This is a one year benefited temporary appointment.*

The Project Coordinator supports high-priority initiatives of the Office of the President by coordinating visible, time-sensitive projects that advance institutional priorities, strengthen campus and community partnerships, and foster meaningful engagement across San Jose State University.

Housed in the Office of the President, this position provides direct executive-level project management, stakeholder engagement, and campus coordination. The Project Coordinator serves as a liaison for the President’s Office across SJSU and with external organizations, including government agencies, industry and community partners, cultural institutions, educational organizations, and faculty and staff teams developing academic, cultural, and community-engagement programming.

This opportunity is ideal for a highly organized, diplomatic, and proactive professional seeking experience in higher education leadership, strategic initiatives, community engagement, or complex project coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate special initiatives tied to presidential priorities, institutional milestones, and high-profile partnerships.
• Plan and lead interactive discovery sessions and value stream mapping workshops with campus stakeholders and subject matter experts to map current-state workflows.
• Track timelines, deliverables, decisions, and action items across university divisions and external partners.
• Support preparation of briefing materials, executive summaries, project plans, and run-of-show documents for senior leadership, including research and data gathering needed for leadership decision-making.
• Oversee the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), quick-reference guides, and training toolkits for campus units undergoing operational changes.
• Assist with coordination between the President's Office and government, civic, educational, cultural, international, and community partners.
• Support protocol planning, cultural considerations, and visit logistics for guests and delegations, as needed.
• Help maintain partner contact lists and ensure timely, professional communication.
• Coordinate with campus divisions and community partners to support inclusive participation and effective execution.
• Draft internal updates, talking points, executive briefs, and materials for campus stakeholders.
• Coordinate with University Marketing & Communications on media opportunities, photography, and storytelling moments.
• Support signage, environmental branding, and wayfinding tied to presidential initiatives and major campus activities.
• Support strategies to keep internal and external stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metric frameworks to measure baseline performance and track post-implementation success.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques applicable to the program and/or administrative specialty to develop conclusions and make sound recommendations.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands simultaneously.
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work effectively in situations involving numerous and diverse demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present complex information and ideas in written and presentation formats.
• Demonstrated skill in researching, developing, and evaluating policies and programs, including collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data to develop sound conclusions and appropriate recommendations.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess issues with broad administrative impact and implications.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of judgment, discretion, initiative, and professionalism when coordinating activities associated with the President’s Office.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with senior-level campus administrators, community leaders, and members of the public.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with software applications, including Google Workspace, word processing, spreadsheet, and database management tools.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training
• Two years of administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in event planning, public affairs, community engagement, project management, or higher education
• Experience working with communities and cross-functional teams

Compensation

Classification: Administrative Analyst/Specialist - Exempt I
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,940/month - $6,558/month (Step 7 – Step 12)
CSU Salary Range: $5,274/month - $7,684/month (Step 1 – Step 20)
San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see Employee Benefits Summary.

Contact Information

People and Culture
[e-mail]

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to [e-mail].

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San José 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. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Officeor report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at [e-mail].

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at [e-mail].

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José 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.