Hospitality Specialist (Housing Operations Professional III)

San Diego State University (SDSU) stands as a prominent public research university located in San Diego, California. Renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and community engagement, SDSU provides a vibrant and dynamic campus environment supporting over 36,000 students. The Division of Business and Financial Affairs oversees key operational functions to ensure a safe, productive, and welcoming campus. Among its many units, the Office of Housing Administration (OHA) manages housing services, facilities, and programs for the university's large student population. OHA operates as a self-funded entity supporting over 9,000 residents and coordinating the effective functioning of 25 residential buildings, apartments, and conference spaces. This operation includes over 100 professional employees and more than 150 student assistants and manages an annual budget exceeding $159 million. OHA also supports SDSU's Imperial Valley campus housing and collaborates closely with the Residential Education Office to foster a positive educational living environment.

The Hospitality Specialist role plays a critical leadership position within SDSU's Office of Housing Administration. This full-time, exempt position is based on the San Diego campus and involves comprehensive management of housing hospitality operations. The Specialist guides all aspects of conference services, front desk management, guest services, and specialized housing programs. This includes orchestrating summer conferences, guest housing logistics, event coordination, and the operation of meeting spaces, all while ensuring alignment with the university's financial, operational, and strategic goals. The role demands strong organizational skills to handle complex housing programs such as reservations, exemptions, lotteries, and events. As the primary point of contact for clients and partners, the Specialist manages contracts, vendor relations, scheduling, and logistical details to optimize revenue and operational efficiency.

Providing leadership to professional staff, student employees, and front desk teams is a vital part of this role. The Specialist fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture centered on exceptional customer service and student support. Responsibilities include training program development, policy compliance enforcement, and the delivery of performance coaching to ensure team success. Collaboration is another cornerstone of the position—partnering with campus departments, external stakeholders, and cross-functional committees to enhance housing operations and contribute to institutional priorities. The Specialist represents the department at meetings, campus events, and professional conferences, building strong relationships to support smooth service delivery.

Candidates for this position will bring a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience with at least four years of relevant background in housing or hospitality operations. Preferred qualifications include advanced degrees, supervisory experience, expertise in emergency and crisis management, and strong skills in program development and training design. Proficiency with software tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, StarRez, Adobe Acrobat, and Concur is highly valued, with certifications in advanced StarRez reporting regarded as a plus.

SDSU offers a competitive salary range from $5,079 to $7,399 per month based on step placement and qualifications, with full benefits including paid time off, retirement plans, health coverage, tuition waivers, and additional optional benefits. The position underscores SDSU's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals who will contribute to the university’s principles of community and equal opportunity mandates. This mandatorily on-site role provides the opportunity to lead impactful programs within a major university housing operation that supports a rich student living environment and dynamic campus community.