The Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement and Chief Development Officer is responsible for providing exceptional administrative and operational support to the Vice President in a high volume office. The individual in this role manages the daily calendar for the Vice President, greets visitors, answers telephone calls, and provides exceptional customer service to guests, donors, and colleagues, representing Pepperdine in the highest regard. This position requires an individual who is detail-oriented, professional, flexible, organized, and exhibits the mission of Pepperdine University in their everyday work.

Duties

• Responsible for the administration, organization, and management of the vice president's office, acting with tact, diplomacy, and discretion on a variety of complex and sensitive issues. 
• Independently responsible for managing the vice president's calendar, including meetings with high-profile donors, Advancement colleagues, and other Pepperdine executives based on the needs and priorities of the executive and department/major area.
• Act on the Vice President's behalf in identifying and resolving issues and making recommendations for action consistent with the priorities of the department/major area.
• Manage critical projects on behalf of the executive.
• Organize luncheons, dinners, and other donor-related events for the Vice President and assist with other major Advancement events such as retreats, conferences, luncheons, and dinners. 
• Coordinate travel arrangements for the Vice President, including airline travel reservations, hotel accommodations, and reservations. 
• Write, prepare, and edit outgoing thank you letters, proposals, documents, and other printed and or digital materials for the Vice President's office for presentations, conferences, seminars, and reports. 
• Serve as the Vice President's liaison to various constituents through written correspondence, phone, and in-person contact, representing the executive at meetings as needed. 
• Order office supplies and ensure that the office is properly stocked and neatly maintained, including reviewing and sorting incoming mail, and preparing gift donation summaries for gifts as received. 
• Oversee and/or process a variety of complex financial transactions; produce, monitor, and reconcile budget statements; research, identify, and resolve discrepancies. Create internal and external requisitions for departmental projects. 
• Hire, train, supervise, and mentor student workers for the vice president's office, assigning work and coordinating shifts as needed. 
• Assist with a variety of projects such as mass mailings and list development for mailings. 
• 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: Bachelor’s degree; experience using Microsoft and Google suites; proficient computer skills; general office and/or administrative experience; strong organizational, verbal, and communication skills; exceptional personalized customer service skills; excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills; ability to work independently; ability to manage competing priorities in a fast paced environment; attention to detail; working knowledge of general office equipment such as multi-line phones and printer/copier machines; professional appearance; ability and willingness to articulate the Christian mission and culture of Pepperdine in everyday work and interactions with others.

Preferred: Familiarity with Pepperdine University and its Christian mission; experience working with senior-level executives; 2-3 years experience in an office setting and/or administrative position; familiarity with Advancement in higher education; familiarity with Pepperdine systems (Fonteva, Raiser’s Edge, PeopleSoft).

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. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Rate: $68,640 per year

The above pay rate 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.