Hospitality Specialist (Housing Operations Professional III)

Company: San Diego State University
Location: San Diego
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Position Summary San Diego State University is seeking a highly organized and service-oriented Hospitality Specialist to lead housing hospitality operations within the Office of Housing Administration. This role manages conference services, front desk operations, guest services, and specialized housing programs while ensuring high-quality service, operational efficiency, and strong campus partnerships. Key Responsibilities Housing Operations Management Oversee hospitality programs, including summer conferences, guest housing, front desk operations, tours, events, and meeting space management. Manage complex housing programs (e.g., reservations, exemptions, lotteries, events) while ensuring alignment with financial, operational, and strategic goals. Serve as primary contact for clients and partners; coordinate logistics, contracts, scheduling, and vendor services to support revenue and efficiency. Resolve complex service issues and emergencies, ensure policy compliance, and recommend process improvements to enhance operations. Leadership & Training Lead and supervise professional staff, student employees, and front desk teams; provide training and ongoing development. Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment focused on high-quality customer service and student support. Ensure staff are knowledgeable of policies, procedures, and compliance requirements. Provide direction, coaching, and performance feedback to support team success. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement Partner with campus departments and external stakeholders to coordinate housing services and programs. Participate in cross-functional teams and committees to improve housing operations and policies. Represent housing operations at meetings, events, and conferences. Build strong relationships to support seamless service delivery and institutional priorities. Why Join Us? Lead high-impact housing and hospitality programs serving students and campus guests Build partnerships and drive operational excellence in a dynamic environment Apply leadership, customer service, and program management expertise Contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and well-run campus housing experience Position Information This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits 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. The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego. Department Summary The Division of Business and Financial Affairs is responsible for ensuring a safe, productive campus environment while providing the highest quality service in support of academic excellence through thoughtful stewardship of financial, technological, infrastructure, and human resources at San Diego State University. The Office of Housing Administration (OHA) is a self-funded operation responsible for planning, providing, and administering housing operations, services, and facilities with over 100 employees and more than 150 student assistants. With an annual operating budget exceeding $159 million, OHA provides housing for over 9,000 students, live-in professional staff, and faculty across 25 residential buildings totaling more than 2 million square feet of residential facilities. OHA also operates SDSU-IV housing at the Imperial Valley campus. OHA manages the operation of residence halls, apartments, and conference and event spaces. In partnership with the Residential Education Office (REO), OHA supports the educational mission of the university while providing the business operations for all housing-related functions, ensuring a high-quality environment that enhances the student educational experience. For more information regarding the Office of Housing Administration, click here . Education and Experience Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Key Qualifications Experience utilizing specialized in-depth expertise to coordinate and administer unique programs and independently handle difficult and complex situations such as emergency and crisis response. Experience providing strategic input on housing program development and processes. Experience designing comprehensive training programs on housing operations policies, practices, and procedures. Previous experience leading or supervising professional staff. Master’s Degree in a related field preferred. At least five years of customer service experience preferred. At least five years of professional experience managing housing operations, logistics, programs and special projects preferred. Proficiency in the following Software programs: Office Suite and Google Suite, with advanced skills in Excel and Google Spreadsheets, Smartsheets, StarRez, AdobeAcrobat and Adobe Sign, Concur preferred. StarRez Advanced Reporting Certification 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 11 ($6,191/month). Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement. CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,079 - $7,399 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. Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview . SDSU Values 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. Principles of Community 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 Apply by April 13, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled. 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 as a condition of employment. San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, 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 SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position. SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here . Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Sophia Faulk at srfaulk@sdsu.edu .

Keywords: San Diego State University, Bellflower , Hospitality Specialist (Housing Operations Professional III), Administration, Clerical , San Diego, California