Pepperdine is made up of people from many unique backgrounds. Drawn to our unique mission, many seek opportunities at Pepperdine without knowing exactly which role or department is the right fit for them long-term. The Strategic Project Associate (SPA) role is designed to allow talented individuals, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, the opportunity to rotate between departments, functions, and professional roles at Pepperdine, helping meet the needs of the University as they seek to build a lasting career at this special place. This position is ideal for early career professionals and those in career transitions who are eager to explore their potential and position themselves for success at Pepperdine.

Upon hire, the SPA completes a training period in Human Resources designed to give a broad overview of the University’s mission, organizational structure, and business operations. Following 1-2 years in the program, the SPA will be fully equipped to step into a promising new long-term role at the University. 

Duties

• As an employee of Human Resources, serve as a Human Resources ambassador to the University, delivering high-touch, compassionate service to the entire Pepperdine community, mastering knowledge of University policies and best practices to ensure these are being carried out throughout the University.

• Perform a broad range of administrative tasks, such as answering phones, greeting visitors, managing data, preparing presentation materials, conducting research for critical projects, substantiating credit cards, submitting travel and expense reports, managing an executive’s calendar, and coordinating special events.

• In order to step into assignments quickly and provide valuable support to departments, competently master a variety of Pepperdine systems and software, including the University’s travel and expense module, credit card substantiation module, applicant tracking system, human resources information system, donor relations database, and more.

• As an employee of Human Resources, meet regularly with the Human Resources supervisor to discuss updates, share ideas, and seek ongoing coaching.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required: Exceptional written and oral communication skills; Strong customer service and interpersonal skills; Strong attention to detail; Strong flexibility; Ability to work with a variety of people and adapt to various work styles throughout changing assignments; Ability to work independently and also part of a team; Ability to use discretion when handling sensitive and confidential issues; Ability to organize and prioritize changing workload; Ability to work harmoniously, professionally, and effectively with coworkers and supervisors; Must dress professionally; Supportive of the Christian mission; Ability to integrate the University's Christian mission with HR practice; Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); General familiarity with office equipment (printers, scanners, copiers, phone systems, fax machines, etc.).

Preferred: Bachelor's degree; 1-2 years' general office experience; Previous experience in higher education; Previous affiliation with Pepperdine University; Experience with large database systems; Experience with Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Slides, etc.)

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws.

This is a Restricted, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Rate: $24.00 per hour

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.