About The University Corporation
The University Corporation is a non-profit auxiliary corporation providing commercial and administrative services to California State University, Northridge. Our mission is to provide services and solutions that address the needs of California State University, Northridge; to support the academic, research, and creative endeavors of its students, faculty, and staff; and to enhance the quality of campus life.
Overview: The Associate Director serves as Project Coordinator for the Center for Fintech Innovation and Policy’s program funded by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor Strengthening Institutions Program and runs the Center’s day-to-day operations across CSUN and Cal State LA under the direction of the Director, working closely with the two faculty directors. Time is divided among research, teaching, and the day-to-day leadership of the Center and its federally funded program. The program is one through which undergraduates from both universities learn how financial technology works, build and secure a working product using AI tools, and pitch it to industry; students earn a certificate and degree credit, and the program is designed to serve first-generation and low-income students and to prepare them for high-wage careers in finance and technology. This is a broad, hands-on role in a new center, and its scope will evolve; rigorous, detail-oriented program management is as central to the role as scholarship. Equipment operated: personal computer and standard office equipment daily (approx. 80% of working time); Microsoft Office / Google Workspace, Qualtrics, Canvas, PeopleSoft, web content management systems, Canva / Adobe design tools, AI tools for research, writing, data analysis, and content creation, social media and newsletter platforms, and video-conferencing tools in regular use as part of assigned duties. No commercial vehicles, machinery, or hazardous equipment.
Duties and Responsibilities (other duties as assigned): Center operations and program coordination: run the Center’s day-to-day operations under the Director’s guidance; draft professional correspondence on behalf of the Center; prepare, format and proofread reports, memos, letters, agreements and presentations; review documents drafted by others and correct errors before release; maintain organized program files, records, deadlines and compliance documentation for a federal grant; track and calendar all deadlines and filing requirements; review activities for compliance with grant terms, university policy and federal requirements; conduct research and fact-checking and summarize findings in written briefs. Organize faculty workshops and events to support faculty development and engagement with the Center’s work.
Research, writing, and grant development: develop and pursue an independent research agenda connected to the Center’s work (e.g., AI-integrated business education, fintech policy and financial regulation, AI policy and governance, law and emerging technology, entrepreneurship pedagogy for first-generation and underrepresented students, fintech workforce pathways, responsible AI use in organizations, or economic mobility outcomes of applied learning); analyze program data — including the program’s multi-year dataset across two Hispanic-Serving Institutions (pre-/post-assessments of AI literacy, student venture outcomes, mentor and employer feedback, retention and completion data) — in collaboration with the faculty directors and external evaluator; write and publish scholarship, policy briefs, reports and public-facing pieces; present at academic and practitioner conferences; contribute to evaluation reports and to dissemination through STEM-NET and the CSU system; identify funding opportunities connected to the Center’s research program and draft grant proposals — narratives, program rationales, and evaluation plans — in coordination with the Director and TUC Research & Sponsored Projects.
Student engagement and recruitment: work directly with students as advisor, mentor and first point of contact; lead recruitment and admissions at both campuses (information sessions, classroom visits, outreach to advising offices and student organizations), with priority outreach to first-generation and Pell-eligible students; manage the application cycle in Qualtrics; guide admitted students through cohort registration and the CSU Concurrent Enrollment process; maintain cohort rosters; serve as the primary point of contact for students, partners and the public; respond to inquiries within one business day.
Teaching: serve as teaching assistant and instructor in program courses and workshops; prepare and deliver lectures and lab sessions; develop course materials and assignments; grade; hold office hours; mentor students through projects and capstone pitches; co-teach / guest-lecture as appropriate.
Events: plan, organize and host the Center’s events, including orientation, information sessions, speaker series, webinars and podcasts, workshops, mentor meetings, faculty development sessions, the capstone pitch event with industry judges, and the Center’s annual flagship fintech event; manage logistics, speakers, registration and follow-up; support leadership and steering committee meetings with agendas, minutes and action-item tracking; attend and contribute to Center and College events, talks and faculty development sessions and participate in the intellectual life of both colleges.
Outreach and external engagement: represent the Center at external events, conferences and industry gatherings; conduct outreach to fintech firms, financial institutions, regulators, venture investors and community organizations; cultivate guest speakers, mentors, employer partners and project sponsors; coordinate with the Industry Advisory Board and Faculty Advisory Group.
Communications and social media: manage the Center’s social media accounts, website and newsletter; produce regular content on Center activities, student work and fintech developments; design flyers, graphics, slides and one-pagers consistent with CSUN and Cal State LA brand guidelines; produce recruitment and promotional materials.
Grant administration and student assistants: collect and organize data for annual federal reporting and the external evaluator; support budget tracking, purchasing and reconciliation with the sponsored programs office; liaise with sponsored programs and institutional research offices at both campuses; recruit, hire, train, mentor and provide lead work direction to undergraduate and graduate student assistants, and approve their timesheets.
* Percentages represent estimated allocations of effort and may vary over the appointment based on program priorities, the academic calendar, and the Center’s needs, as determined by the Director. Total: 100%. Other duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator in support of the Center and the grant, as needs arise, are included within the allocations above.
Qualifications:
A doctoral degree (Ph.D., D.B.A., or equivalent) or a terminal degree in law (J.D., LL.M., J.S.D., or S.J.D.) in management, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems, economics, education, public policy, law, or a related field. Candidates who are ABD (all but dissertation) or awaiting degree conferral may begin the appointment before conferral, provided their degree is conferred and certification of conferral (diploma or official transcript) is submitted no later than August 2027.
Knowledge, Specialized Skills, and Abilities:
For these candidates, continued appointments are contingent upon meeting this deadline. Demonstrated ability to produce rigorous written work and to draft, edit, and proofread professional documents with a high degree of accuracy. Experience organizing records and managing deadlines across multiple projects. Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills, and a commitment to serving a diverse student population.
Preferred: A research agenda related to fintech, fintech policy and financial regulation, AI policy and governance, law and AI, AI in education or organizations, entrepreneurship, or workforce and economic mobility — candidates whose work sits at the intersection of fintech and law, AI and law, fintech policy, or AI policy are especially welcome. Experience with policy work, such as writing policy briefs, regulatory comments, or white papers, or engaging with regulators, legislators, or public agencies. Teaching or mentoring experience with undergraduates. Experience planning and hosting events, and in outreach to industry, government, or community partners. Experience in student recruitment, advising, or program coordination in a university setting. Experience supporting a federally funded grant, including documentation and reporting. Experience drafting grant proposals or comparable funder-facing narratives. Experience managing organizational social media and websites. Training or experience in a role requiring precise document preparation, records management, deadline tracking, and compliance review, such as a legal, compliance, contracts, or regulatory setting. Experience with design tools (Canva, Adobe), a web content management system, and campus systems such as Qualtrics, Canvas, or PeopleSoft. Experience hiring or supervising student employees. Recent doctoral and law graduates are encouraged to apply; the position is well suited to an early-career scholar. Advanced familiarity with AI tools and their application to research, writing, data analysis, and content creation.
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
This position is employed through The University Corporation (TUC).
The anticipated hiring range: $80,000 Per Year
Time Base: Full-Time
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403 (b), Life, AD&D, Flex Spending
General Information
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO PASS A THOROUGH DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION.
How to Apply
Please complete the online application/resume upload submission process to be considered for any open position within the university and its auxiliaries. The hiring department will contact the best-qualified candidates and invite them to participate in the interview process.
Application Screening begins November 13, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
To be considered in the initial review, applications must be submitted before the date listed above.
Application submissions received after the application screening date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please view the link below:
http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/employment/
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Equity and Diversity at (818) 677-2077.